Matcha

Matcha tea

Matcha (Japanese: "ground tea") is a variant of green tea. Matcha is obtained exclusively from the young, delicate leaf tips of Tencha tea, without stems. The harvest is dried and then ground in stone or granite mills until the bright green, very fine powder is created. And that takes time: it takes around an hour to make around 30 grams of matcha from Tencha. So it's no wonder that Matcha tea costs so much.

The question of whether matcha tea is healthier than green tea can be answered by looking at the ingredients of matcha: Usually between ten and twenty percent of the ingredients are released into the tea water when infused with tea leaves.

Since the entire leaf of Matcha is processed and not removed again after an infusion, the tea scores with an extremely high concentration of valuable ingredients.

It has been scientifically proven that matcha has similar beneficial effects on health as other green teas. Ambrosia has put together the four most important Matcha tea effects for you.

1. Matcha tea wakes you up and helps you relax

Green tea contains the amino acid L-theanine. The content of this amino acid in matcha tea is even higher than in other green teas. L-theanine can amplify the alpha waves in the brain, which ensure a relaxed mood. The alpha waves can also help ward off signs of stress.

A large serving of matcha contains around 272 milligrams of caffeine per cup, a medium serving 136. Matcha tea, for example, contains around three percent caffeine as much of the stimulant as an espresso, but when you drink matcha, the central nervous system is initially stimulated, which leads to one gentle adrenaline rush.

Here, too, the amino acid L-theanine comes into action, as it has an influence on the caffeine in the body. It increases alertness and alertness without the feeling of sluggishness that you often feel after drinking coffee. Matcha tea works longer and is characterized by the gentler stimulant effect.

In addition, the amino acid can lift the mood, ensure a better memory and more concentration, as L-theanine can stimulate the production of happiness hormones in the brain. Studies even show that powdered green tea can improve brain activity and reduce Alzheimer's.

2. Matcha tea is packed with antioxidants

Matcha also contains a lot of antioxidants that can protect the body from free radicals. Matcha mainly contains catechins. The most potent catechin is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).

Many studies have looked at EGCG and have shown that it can fight inflammation in the body, keep arteries healthy, and repair cells. A current study by the Berlin Charité is currently investigating how strong the effect of EGCG actually is on the human organism.

The Matcha tea effect is even stronger because the leaf stays in the tea water. One study showed that matcha contains 137 times more antioxidants than poor quality green tea and three times as many as high quality green tea.

3. Does matcha tea help you lose weight?

Green tea is often thought to help you lose weight. Green tea extract is often used as an active ingredient in weight loss products. Some studies have shown that green tea can actually boost calorie consumption through an increased metabolism.

It can also increase fat burning by up to 17 percent .

However, you should not reach for the matcha cup directly, because this matcha tea effect can help you lose weight, but is not the only solution. There are also studies that deny Matcha tea this effect.

This is also the case with a current study that shows that the weight loss effect of matcha tea is negligible.

4. Matcha tea lowers the risk of heart disease

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Heart disease is favored by various risk factors. Drinking green tea can lower cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar levels.

According to studies, the risk of heart disease in green tea drinkers is 31 percent lower than in non-greens. This is mainly due to the antioxidants contained in green tea.

Therefore, the effect of matcha tea is even stronger than that of green tea, as matcha contains more antioxidants.

5. Matcha tea side effects

As with everything, the same applies to matcha tea: keep the scales! Because too much of a good thing can also have negative effects. Since matcha tea has such a high concentration of ingredients, no more than two cups of it should be drunk daily.

With Matcha tea, the whole leaf is processed, so that all of it is consumed. This means that the pollutants that may be on the matcha leaf are also absorbed. For example, pesticides or fluorides can migrate to the matcha leaf through the soil in which the plant grows.

Organic matcha tea can be the better choice here, but it is also no guarantee of unpolluted green tea.

But do organic products really contain fewer environmental toxins?

"The concentration of pesticides in organic foods is around ten to a hundred times lower than in conventionally produced foods. Environmental toxins that are spread throughout the environment because they come from industrial production naturally occur in the same way in all foods, including in Organic goods "

Too many phytonutrients can also be harmful. Even a small calculation makes it clear why the effect of matcha tea is so much stronger: Matcha contains three times as many antioxidants as high-quality green tea. That is why two cups of matcha tea provide as many phytonutrients as six cups of green tea.

How well you tolerate this tea varies from person to person. However, too much of the phytonutrients in matcha can lead to nausea and symptoms of liver or kidney poisoning.

Matcha tea preparation

For the preparation of Matcha tea one uses 70 to 80 degrees hot water. About a teaspoon of matcha powder is used in a cup. About 60 milliliters of water are poured over the powder in the bowl and then whipped with a bamboo matcha whisk.

A Z-shape should always be drawn here and not be stirred in a circle.

After opening, matcha tea can best be stored in a tea caddy in the refrigerator and consumed within a few weeks if possible.

5 great alternatives for making Matcha tea without traditional accessories

Matcha consumption is largely based on its traditional value in Japanese culture. However, this value is not just about consumption. In the Asian region in particular, the type of tea preparation is extremely important for many people. While making tea is a wonderful cultural heritage, the tea ceremony takes a little too long for many Matcha fans.

Fortunately, Matcha tea preparation does not always have to be carried out in accordance with tradition. After all, you can't ask every matcha tea connoisseur to take the morning before work to perform an ancient Japanese ritual. Perhaps you have already wondered how you can prepare matcha tea quickly and easily without a broom? We give you some tips & tricks so that you can prepare your Matcha tea at any time without a broom:

Matcha tea preparation with a milk frother

Let's start with the simplest alternative - the milk frother. Usually when you hear this word you think of latte or cappuccino. Nevertheless, the milk frother is just as suitable for preparing the tea:

First you heat the water in a measuring cup and then add the matcha powder. First stir well so that the powder is well distributed, and then you dip the frother deep into the cup without touching the bottom to prevent it from splashing. Turn on the frother and hold the cup at a slight angle. Then you should switch off the frother and see whether all of the Matcha powder has dissolved and a nice foam has been created. If there are still small lumps, simply repeat the foaming process until the last residue has dissolved.

• Tip: Use milk instead of water and mix it with matcha latte powder for a great matcha latte experience.

Matcha from the shaker

Fitness fans can look forward to the shaker is a solid matcha maker! Your training begins in the kitchen, because it is a bit more physically demanding because it is such a simple preparation form. Put the powder in the shaker, mix in some warm water, and off you go. Shake vigorously until all of the Matcha powder has dissolved. Are there any lumps? Extend the cardio warm-up by 5 minutes and repeat until the powder is completely mixed with the water. Now your matcha tea is prepared without a broom and you can enjoy your matcha in a sporty way and feel its effect.

• Tip: If you need an even faster and sporty alternative, then try our organic Matcha Energy Drink. While most energy drinks are fully loaded with artificial ingredients, this matcha variant offers a natural, long-lasting and stimulating effect. Matcha tea preparation made easy without a broom! ;-)

Matcha tea preparation without a broom - instead with a sieve

A fine sieve is also a very simple and practical solution for making Matcha tea without a broom, since pretty much every household has a sieve in the kitchen. Fill a bowl with water, place a sieve over it, pour in the powder and carefully knock the powder out of the sieve with a spoon. This will dissolve any lumps and make for a well-soluble matcha in the end. Now just stir, froth or shake. Finished.

A matcha mixer for frothy enjoyment

This approach is only now following because not everyone has a blender at home. Nevertheless, this method has to be mentioned for a matcha tea preparation without a broom. Even if a little more cleaning is required, this is offset by the record speed at which such a mixer works. It's that simple: Pour 80 degrees hot water into the mixer, add the matcha powder, put on the lid and switch on. You should start with the lowest setting and then turn it up slowly from there. The result will be similar to the traditional broom method. The powder dissolves completely. You can also generate a lot of foam if necessary.

The simplest Matcha tea preparation without a broom

If none of the five suggestions given are applicable, we have one last ace up our sleeve: a spoon. Put 1/2 teaspoon of matcha powder in the bottom of a bowl or cup, then add a tiny bit of hot, non-boiling water, and use the back of the spoon to make a paste. The aim is to dissolve all matcha lumps that might be present, as the matcha powder is partially electrostatically charged due to its fine granularity. Once that's done, fill the rest of the bowl with hot water and you can enjoy the tea! It's not ideal, but sufficient in times of need.

Matcha good, all good.

Preparing Matcha tea without a broom is really no art and as you have seen, there are many different ways of making Matcha tea. But of course it's best to have your own relaxing tea ceremony. If you decide to do it, you shouldn't do without traditional accessories. Our lovingly put together sets contain, in addition to a Matcha tea, all the utensils you need for traditional preparation. And all of this at a particularly great price-performance ratio.

Knowledge to take away

Matcha tea has similar beneficial effects on health as other green teas, but has a higher concentration of good ingredients, so the effect of matcha tea is greater.

The green powder contains a lot of the amino acid L-theanine, which on the one hand can provide relaxation and stress reduction, and at the same time gives a long-lasting alertness. Matcha tea can also improve brain performance, concentration, memory and mood.

In addition, the green body contains valuable antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals, counteract inflammation and can ensure healthy arteries. The antioxidants can even reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 31 percent.

According to some studies, matcha tea may have the effect of helping you lose weight by consuming more calories and burning more fat. Other studies refute this in turn.

Too much matcha tea can also lead to nausea. You shouldn't drink more than two cups a day, otherwise too many plant ingredients and possible pollutants may be absorbed through the matcha.

Your Matcha Magic team wishes you lots of fun preparing Matcha tea!