Matcha Info

Matcha : Green tea leaves that are stone-ground into ceremonial powder.

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INSTRUCTIONS

1. Scoop desired amount of Matcha into bowl

Traditionally 1 and 1/2 chasuku scoops.

2. Pour splash of water on Matcha

Use enough to water to thoroughly mix the Matcha. Lower temperature may help reduce bitterness.

3. Whisk in “M” pattern until frothy to activate

Shake your wrist in a zig zag pattern for 15 seconds and try not to scratch the chawan bowl.

4. Pour mixture into cup, add water to make tea.

Adding hot water makes traditional Matcha. For ice tea: use water and ice cubes. 

There is little on this earth that arrives so perfectly as the tea plant. The powder of its finest leaves is certain to be a health elixir. Matcha is a ceremonial beverage that has been appreciated and used in sacred settings for over 1000 years. The ancients knew of matcha’s benefits before the science backed it up.

What is Matcha?

Farmers cultivate green tea in a specific way to produce the ceremonial powder known as Matcha. Special areas within the green tea crop are designated where environmental conditions are suitable for Matcha. Tea farmers follow a precise growing schedule so that Matcha leaves are culled on particular dates; a practice which captures the tea leaf at a certain stage of growth where it contains the best flavor and highest accumulation of nutrients.

Once harvested, the tea leaves are de-veined and steamed. A process that improves the flavor and protects the leaf from further oxidation before the leaves are stone-ground into a powder which is used in Japanese Tea Ceremony.

Interesting Fact: One aspect that makes Matcha different than green tea is that it’s grown in the shade. Bamboo mats are placed on Matcha to block out the sun’s oxidative rays. A shielding process which preserves the flavor of the tea, as well as keeping the plant’s nutrients from oxidizing under the sun and losing their nutritive value.

What is Important About Matcha?

Matcha is a natural adaptogenic source of amino acids and antioxidants that has green tea caffeine, and is filled with micro nutrients.

  • The calm focus that is associated with Matcha is due to the synergistic quality of L-theanine and caffeine; both are produced naturally in green tea and subjectively eliminate the negative aspects of caffeine consumption.

  • Matcha is rich in catechins: a plant-based antioxidant with anti-inflammation properties found in fruit, cacao, tea and coffee.

  • Matcha is a terrific way to receive the health benefits of green tea without having to drink as many cups.

Interesting Fact: Matcha contains EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) at over 100 times the level found in conventional green tea. (Clinical studies have shown the antioxidant EGCG has cancer preventive effects within the body)

This quote from the US National Health Institute’s database illustrates the amount of antioxidants in Matcha green tea and its potential demonstrated at the celluar level within the human body.

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“EGCG, which accounts for almost 50% of the total catechins content of green tea extracts, makes up to 30% of the dry weight of green tea leaves [40], and has the strongest chemopreventive potential containing anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, and anti-carcinogenic effects among the green tea catechins which contain EC, EGC, and EGCG”  — Source Direct Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6155401/

Why Does Matcha Have Health Benefits?

Matcha contains antioxidants found in tea that are called catechins. This type of antioxidant is a potent free radical scavenger and is known to reduce inflammation.

  • Taken regularly, Matcha helps lower blood glucose, improve weight loss and support a healthy brain.

  • Matcha has chlorophyll, which helps eliminate toxins and beneficial to the immune system.

Matcha contains amino acids like L-Theanine and Isoleucine.

  • L-theanine: Induces a calm, focused state

  • L-isoleucine: Lowers glucose, helps with cell damage and circulation

The caffeine in Matcha synergizes with L-Theanine to product a calm, focused attention that lasts hours and wears off without a crash.

Is Matcha More Potent than Green Tea?

Yes: Matcha has more caffeine and contains more antioxidants than loose leaf green tea. Since Matcha is a powder that is mixed directly into water instead of being steeped like traditional tea, the healthy compounds are absorbed at a higher rate than traditional tea. This allows Matcha drinkers to ingest a greater amount of green tea’s healthy compounds than if they were to drink loose leaf tea.

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To summize, Matcha has green tea’s health benefits in a more potent and concentrated form. 
Drinking matcha is a great way to fight inflammation, improve weight loss, and stabilize mood.
Matcha also contains more caffeine than conventional green tea.

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Matcha History

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Reducing steamed tea with stone into ceremonial powder reaches as far back as the late 12th century, where it was practiced as a ritual among Zen Buddhists.

Legend has it when Matcha spread from China into Japan, the tea caught the eye of the Shogun. Upon seeing its effect, the Shogun made the Samurai drink matcha before meditation and training.

Disclaimer: Aion Naturals does not provide medical advice. The content of the Sites are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor has it been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any application of the material provided is at the reader's discretion and is his or her sole responsibility.

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From the Earth,

for the body

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