Matcha - Green Tea

The manufacturing process of matcha starts with shade-grown tea plants. When the tea is grown in the shade, it increases the amount of chlorophyll and amino acids in the leaf. Chlorophyll produces the vibrant green color that is characteristic of matcha, while the amino acids create a distinctive flavor. After harvesting the shade-grown tea leaves, they are specially processed and then ground into a very fine powder. Matcha powder is then whisked together with hot water to create the finished drink.

Matcha is the type of tea used in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, a hallmark of Japanese culture. The ceremony is considered to be an expression of Japanese aesthetic and spiritual ideals. As far as tea varieties go, matcha is not very common, accounting for only 0.6% of all tea grown.

Compared to other types of tea, matcha has superior health benefits. This is not only due to the fact that it's grown in the shade, but also because consuming the powdered whole leaf provides you with more of the benefits than drinking tea-steeped water, as would be the case with other tea varieties.

There are quite a wide variety of compounds present in matcha. Some of them include polyphenols, catechins, L-theanine, and theophylline. Aside from these healthful antioxidants and amino acids, matcha also is a source of essential nutrients including vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, B vitamins, and trace minerals.

The health benefits of matcha outweigh those of other similar beverages, such as coffee. It also has a lower caffeine content than most other teas, preventing the negative effects of too much caffeine, such as insomnia and agitation. Matcha is a very enjoyable, healthful, and elegant beverage that will find a perfect home in your daily routine.