Considering our present lifestyle, so fast and filled with new challenges, coffee appears to be a somewhat necessary key to survival. And it doesn’t need to be that way, for there are numerous interesting, often healthier alternatives for coffee. Green tea matcha certainly is one of them. It constitutes an irreplaceable substitute for another cup of coffee. If you’d like to limit your daily 3 cups of coffee to the ideal one cup, you don’t particularly like coffee’s distinct flavour or follow your doctor’s instructions on coffee’s restriction – then matcha is just for you.
What is matcha?
Matcha is a powdered green tea, cultivated with the use of a traditional method consisting in the shading of tea bushes. Such a method forces the plants to increase the bushes’ growing processes – just like in case of the algae. Such process stems in an increased accumulation of valuable chemical compounds, wen compared to the cultivation without the shading, being a way, in which most of regular leaf teas are produced. And due to the matcha’s powdered form, during matcha consumption one assimilates the whole plant with its nutrients instead of its mere brew. It’s thanks to these qualities, why matcha is such a powerful superfood. You can read about what is matcha on our website.
Why is it beneficial to replace coffee with matcha?
- Matcha consumption results in calming of nerves and increased concentration, along with eagerness of action – so called ‘zen energy’
- Caffeine content within matcha (70mg) is similar to the one within coffee (95mg)
- Coffee, with its acidic pH, can be an organism’s acidifier. Matcha tea, on the other hand, is characterized by alkalizing pH, due to which it shows deacidifying properties and positively influences the organism’s acid-alkaline balance.
- Matcha is filled with vitamins and mineral compounds, such as vitamins B, C, K, and also calcium, iron and phosphorus. Is also contains catechins – highly powerful antioxidants from the group of polyphenols of anti-aging effect performed on the cellular structures.
- Matcha can be drank or added to any meal you’d like – to a smoothie, oatmeal, or sweets.
- Matcha can regulate the sugar level and doesn’t increase blood pressure, which is why it’s entirely safe even for the people aged over 50.
Combination of caffeine and L-theanin: the matcha effect
Coffee ensures a quick and intense energy inflow. Once this effect comes to an end, what follows is a sudden, heavy feeling of outflow of energy. The stimulation stemming from coffee consumption is accompanied by nervousness, irritability or elevated blood pressure. The effect of the caffeine found within matcha is quite different. The inflow of energy after its consumption is stable and the stimulation is released gradually, as the caffeine is distributed within the blood system in regular doses. It happens due to the presence of L-theanin, a rare amino acid, which can be found within e.g. fungi or green tea leaves. L-theanin calms and disperses caffeine’s effect. Thanks to such process, the stimulation effect is maintained even for 4-6 hours. Matcha consumption is not accompanied by the sense of decline in energy once its effect reaches the end.
How to start drinking matcha?
The traditional matcha preparation is pleasant and simple, although at the beginning it appears to be difficult for the novices. We encourage you to watch a movie, in which a cofounder of Moya Matcha, Hitomi Saito, prepares a matcha drink with the use of such traditional method. And what about alternative ways of matcha preparation? These items will work perfectly:
- the simplest milk frother
- a bottle or a shaker, in which one can combine matcha powder with any liquid of choice and shake it like a barman preparing a drink
- Thermomix or any similar kitchen aid
Contraindication
As in the case of coffee, matcha is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women due to its caffeine content. It should also be consumed in limited amounts by the people suffering from Hashimoto – they should not consume more than one cup of matcha a day.
