Matcha: a supercharged green tea
I’m not a big coffee drinker. I love it, but I usually stick to just one cup in the morning, right after my ritual glass of water with lemon. Any more than that, and I start to feel jittery and wired. So when I’m out running errands, I often stop by my favorite coffee shop and treat myself to a warm matcha latte. It’s creamy, delicious, and feels like a little indulgence—because I don’t have it every day. But you could. In fact, many people have replaced their morning coffee with matcha and swear by its benefits.
What Is Matcha?
Matcha is a vibrant green powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves. Like traditional green tea, matcha comes from the Camellia sinensis plant—but that’s where the similarities end.
What sets matcha apart is how it’s cultivated. The plants are shaded with bamboo mats for several weeks before harvest. This process boosts their chlorophyll content, intensifies the green color, and enhances the nutritional profile. Only the youngest, most tender leaves are selected, then steamed to preserve their color, dried, and stone-ground into a fine powder. Unlike regular green tea, where you steep the leaves and discard them, with matcha you consume the entire leaf—stem and veins removed—giving you a more concentrated dose of nutrients.
Matcha leaves are steamed and dried to allow the whole leaf to be consumed.
The Health Benefits of Matcha
Matcha is packed with antioxidants, amino acids, and polyphenols, offering a wide range of health benefits:
L-theanine, an amino acid, promotes calmness while enhancing focus and alertness. It helps increase GABA, a neurotransmitter that makes us feel relaxed—counterbalancing the effects of caffeine.
Caffeine, though lower than coffee, is higher than regular green tea, providing a gentle energy boost without the crash.
Polyphenols support skin health and help the body manage inflammation, blood sugar, and blood pressure levels.
Vitamin C and other antioxidants help fight oxidative stress and support immune function.
Choosing the Right Matcha
Not all matcha is created equal. Some products labeled as “green tea powder” may look similar but lack the same nutrient profile and caffeine content. For the real benefits, make sure you’re buying authentic, high-quality powdered matcha. Check the label carefully—pure matcha should contain no additives and should be a vibrant, bright green color.
How to Prepare Matcha
To make the perfect cup of matcha:
Use hot (not boiling) water, ideally around 160–175°F (70–80°C).
Add 1–2 teaspoons of matcha powder to a bowl or mug.
Whisk vigorously in a zigzag (M or W) motion until frothy.
You can enjoy it as-is or add your favorite milk for a creamy matcha latte—hot or iced. Almond, oat, and coconut milk all pair beautifully with its earthy flavor. I personally only use 100% plant-based milk from Joi with just one ingredient and adjust the consistency accordingly.
Whether you’re looking to reduce your coffee intake or simply want to add more antioxidants to your routine, matcha is a delicious and nutrient-packed option.
Try it out and let us know what you think!
