For many of us, green tea is the tea of choice when it comes to a warm beverage. We know it has many health benefits including being high in antioxidants.

Matcha green tea however has also become very popular over the years, and we’re often asked just what the differences are between matcha green tea and regular green tea. I guess we could class matcha green tea as the “Rolls Royce” of green teas. As we know, with regular green tea we brew the leaves and then throw the leaves out which means we are missing out on much of the goodness. When we consume matcha green tea we in fact drink the whole tea leaf because the leaf is actually stone ground into a fine powder. This means we ingest 100% of the green tea’s nutrients instead of 10% of the nutrients consumed in normal steeped green tea. By ingesting the whole leaf, we benefit from all the nutrients contained in the leaf.

It’s also interesting to note, that to increase the chlorophyll and amino acid levels in the matcha leaves, these bushes are grown under cover for 3-4 weeks before harvest and matcha green tea is believed to contain 137 times more antioxidants than regular green tea.

So, what are the real health benefits of matcha green tea?

Mega Dose of Antioxidants - we know antioxidants contain a combination of chemicals that help to prevent chronic diseases and aging. We often talk about the antioxidant properties of certain fruits and vegetables, however, testing undertaken by Tufts University using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) found matcha was 20 times more potent than blueberries and pomegranates. Antioxidants may also assist in boosting our immune systems and deterring those free radicals that can trigger cancer in our bodies.

Supports Weight Loss - we have known for some time, that green tea in high dosages can boost the metabolism and burn fat. It is believed matcha green tea may increase thermogenesis, which is the body’s rate of burning calories, from 8% which is a normal rate to between 35% and 43% of our daily energy use.

Concentration and Focus - matcha is high in the amino acid L-Theanine which helps with relaxation. Whereas L-Theanine is found in most teas, matcha is believed to contain up to 5 times more L-Theanine than black or green tea. This is great news for matcha drinkers as it not only produces alpha waves which create a more tranquil state, but it also helps with memory and concentration. Zen Buddhist monks have for centuries been known to use matcha tea during meditation to stimulate their mental alertness whilst at the same time producing a tranquil, meditative state.

Detoxifier and Cleanser – I have written previously about the benefits of chlorophyll. It is the chlorophyll that provides matcha with its green, vibrant colour and is beneficial for cleansing and detoxing our bodies, eliminating chemicals and heavy metals. It’s also believed to improve the production and oxygen capacity of healthy blood cells as well as sustain a healthy liver.

Increases Energy – although matcha does contain a small amount of caffeine it isn’t the caffeine that gives us a lift in energy but the fact this powder is so nutrient-rich.

Enhances Skin – if you have concerns about fine lines and wrinkles, here’s the good news matcha is thought to protect our largest organ from the harmful UV rays which we know cause premature ageing

Matcha is great to include in a protein smoothie to help with endurance and stamina whether it be to help out with our gym workout, endurance run or just everyday life.

Matcha is extremely concentrated which means we only need to ½ teaspoon per serve. It is more expensive than regular green tea however this nutrient-dense tea is so high in antioxidants and nutrients it is in fact quite cost effective.

Matcha is very versatile as it can be used in many ways. We can drink it as a warm beverage, include it in a smoothie or a juice, and add it to our favourite breakfast, yoghurt, or chia pudding. It’s great to include in our superfood energy balls.

Matcha green tea has also been included in blends such as a combination of cinnamon, cayenne pepper, olive leaf and Siberian ginseng to give you a real boost. Or there’s another combination of matcha green tea with peppermint, ginger, fennel seed and dandelion root.

Another interesting product is a collagen match latte which not only contains matcha green tea but also hydrolysed collagen, inulin, lucuma, coconut MCT oil, sea buckthorn, natural vanilla and monk fruit.

For more information on matcha green tea or any other health issues call to see Bev and the team at Go Vita your health shop at 5 North St, Batemans Bay or phone at 44729737. Don’t forget to tune into Bev on 2EC every Wednesday after 12.30 pm.

MATCHA CHIA PUDDING

¼ cup Organic Road Chia Seeds; ¾ cup Milklab Almond Milk; ½ cup Organic Road Coconut Milk; 1 tsp Matcha Maiden Green Tea Powder; ½ tsp vanilla extract; 1 tbsp Spiral Organic Maple Syrup. Fruit, Organic Road Flaked Coconut, Go Vita Australian Walnuts

Method: Combine chia seeds, matcha powder, milk, vanilla extract, and maple syrup in a bowl and mix well. Stir again after 15 mins giving a good stir to mix the chia, matcha and milk as it thickens. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour then top with your favourite fruit, flaked coconut and chopped walnuts.

MATCHA KIWI FRUIT PROTEIN SMOOTHIE

1 tsp Matcha Maiden Powder; 1 ripe kiwi fruit; ½ chopped banana; 1 Tbsp White Wolf Vanilla Protein Powder; 1 ½ cup Milklab Almond Milk. Blend until smooth and creamy.

MATCHA AND WALNUT OVERNIGHT OATS

1 Tbsp Nutra Organics Collagen Matcha Latte powder, 1 Tbsp water, 1 cup Organic Road Rolled Oats, 2 Tbsp Organic Road Chia Seeds, 1 ½ cups milk, ½ cup Organic Road Sunflower Kernels, ½ cup Go Vita Pumpkin Seeds, ½ cup Organic Road Shredded Coconut, ½ tsp Organic Road True Cinnamon, 1/2 tsp Native Vanilla Pure Vanilla Extract, 2 tsp Spiral Maple Syrup. Top with yoghurt and Go Vita Aust Walnuts.

Method: Mix Collagen Matcha Latte powder with water. Combine all other ingredients except yoghurt in a bowl with the matcha liquid and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. When ready to eat top with yoghurt and chopped walnuts.