The hype for matcha can be seen worldwide. Matcha can be found in cafes, bakeries and supermarkets everywhere. These truly aesthetic frothy green swirls in lattes make up some of the most beautiful hues of green we see on instagram today. More than a trend, these beautiful green lattes might just be the perfect (healthy) feel-good drink alternative drink to coffee.
What is it?
Matcha is made of ground Japanese green tea leaves. What makes matcha distinct from green tea is the cultivation process of the leaves and the preparation of the drink itself. The leaves used for matcha are grown partially in shade to prevent direct sunlight. This special method of cultivation enhances the nutrient concentration in the leaves. Leaves for matcha are dried and stone ground into a powder and unlike green tea are whisked right into your milk or water. Differentiating from green tea where you steep the leaves in hot water and then remove them, with matcha you consume the ground leaves themselves.
Why its good
Beside being the latest beverage trend, it truly has health promoting benefits due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Another distinct characteristic of matcha is its color. Green. Matcha is a vibrant green color because of its chlorophyll concentration. Typically the greener your matcha, the richer in nutrients. Matcha also contains caffeine and L-theanine. These two together help improve energy levels, focus, and relaxation. Unlike coffee, matcha contains much less caffeine and because of its L-theanine properties it allows the body to absorb the caffeine slowly allowing you to have energy for a longer period of time without jitters and a crash later in the day like coffee is known to do.
As a huge fan of small habits and changes that yield big results in my health, the coffee for matcha swap is a no brainer. A cup of coffee from time to time is great but for my everyday pick me up or for starting the day just right, a cup of matcha is exactly what my brain needs.