Matcha - A Superfood - Preserving traditional practices and passing their values to the coming generations, is what we all are taught to follow by the wise elders of our society. In the ocean of diverse cultures and different patterns of living, we often take inspiration from others, practice, and promote the values derived from it which again is passed on to the next generation.
There are times when few things are forgotten and left behind in the middle of our journey but is never too late to bring prestigious things back to be used and celebrated once again for their importance. One such element arising these days is the classic Matcha. Try White Chocolate Matcha Ice Cream, Vegan Dates Matcha Cups
Matcha comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, the same plant from where most of the green tea is produced but what makes matcha stand out amongst all green tea is the exceptional method of its preparation and extraordinary nutrient profile.
❓When, Where, and How?
The History of Matcha can be traced back to the times when the Tang dynasty ruled in China during the 7th-10th centuries. Initially, tea leaves were steamed to compress and form into bricks or cakes for easier transportation, storage, and trade.
The method of preparing tea was also different from what we follow today. The bricks were roasted and converted into fine particles. These particles were then heated along with water and salt. It was not until the reign of the Song dynasty that preparing tea by Matcha superfood powder came into being. It was made by steaming dried leaves together with water and since then this process became prominent and is followed even in today’s generation. The credit for popularizing Matcha tea, a superfood, goes to the Buddhist monk, Myoan Eisai, who brought this culture to Japan and further introduced it to the world. The calm state of mind from Matcha tea favored the Zen meditation and thus it marked the beginning of the famous Japanese tea ceremony.
🏬Super Production Method of Superfood
Matcha tea holds up the reputation of 800 years old cultivation and production method which is still practiced by many authentic producers all over the world. It undergoes a detailed process of covering the leaves to protect them from sunlight followed by handpicking the youngest and greenest leaves for steaming and then finally grinding the dried leaf into a fine powder, facilitating us with super nutritional supplements of this superfood.
✔️Nutritional report
Matcha nutritional profile consists of minerals like potassium magnesium calcium zinc phosphorus and iron along with vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, and K that are profoundly known for their antioxidant properties. One gram or 1/2 teaspoon of matcha can offer you 306mg of protein, 50mg of lipids, 385mg of dietary fibers, and 272mg of amino acids. Apart from that, it also has a fair amount of sodium(6mg), zinc(6.3mg), potassium(27mg), calcium(4.2mg) and magnesium(2.3mg). That’s not the end of it, Keep reading to know more about the usage and other perks of this superfood.
💚 Superfood for the super body
1.Heart health
As mentioned above, matcha with its excellent antioxidant feature prevents oxidant stress from damaging cells and protects our body from severe diseases including cancer. Furthermore, matcha promotes good cholesterol levels and reduces the levels of bad cholesterol thereby lessening the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other heart problems. Additionally, a concentrated amount of vitamins and minerals prevents the hardening of arteries and keeps them flexible while the release of caffeine calms the mind and aids to the smooth functioning of the overall body.
2.Liver function
Various studies suggest that matcha can be effective in keeping your liver healthy which further extends aid in breaking down fats, conversion of excess glucose into glycogen, regulating blood levels, flushing off drugs present in the blood, and converting poisonous ammonia to urea. An unhealthy liver can give rise to serious problems such as Cholestasis, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, liver cancer, and many more liver complications.
3.Brain booster
The concentrated amount of caffeine and high-quality L-Theanine in matcha complements the efficient functioning of the brain. Caffeine is known for stimulating the central nervous system and enhancing attention, memory, concentration with other cognitive activities. On the other side, L-Theanine does an impressive task by dealing with anxiety, reducing stress, countering the negative effects of caffeine, and improving levels of neurotransmitters that determine our well-being and sound mental health.
4.Stomach's friend
Matcha has the unique potential to speed up the metabolism and burn fat that adds extra weight to your body. All the more antioxidants present in matcha clear out toxins, boost immunity, and reduce inflammation. It is also known for treating gastrointestinal issues and promotes a healthy digestive system. Matcha with its incredible qualities makes it possible for us to consume sugar-free drinks without bothering about calories or diabetes.
5.Bone builder
The antioxidant-like polyphenols in green tea increase mineral density and calcium content in our bones by reducing chronic inflammation which could increase harmful oxidative stress in the bones. Anti-oxidant together with anti-inflammation keeps our bone health and hence it lowers the risk of developing osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and severe bone fractures.
💪 Application of Super Matcha
To list down its application other than tea, matcha can be enjoyed in various superfoods.
It is used to flavor and dye modern-day foods items such as ice cream, chocolates, cakes, candies, cookies along with Japanese special noodles. Apart from the variety of snacks, matcha is super delicious when consumed in the form of drinks. The present-day Starbucks ' famous matcha superfood latte stands as a good example of the drinks and smoothies that this particular leaf serves to the world. Not just food items, but Matcha is also acing among the beauty products. Matcha face packs and face masks are doing justice to nourish the skin, leaving a radiant and glowing effect on our skin. Its anti-inflammation ability treats acne and rashes while anti-oxidants prevent premature aging.
From ancient Japanese tea ceremony to present-day Starbucks latte, Matcha has traveled a long way. The worth of this superfood can not be measured just by the health merits that it provides but the potential it held to stick by its incredible properties all these years without losing the standards makes Matcha – a superfood.
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