Matcha powder is vibrant, green, and perfect for your daily routine. According to CC Fine Tea’s article titled “Matcha: The Hidden History of Chinese Powdered Green Tea,” this form of green tea has been around since the Tang Dynasty of ancient China. The health benefits of this coffee alternative are sure to have you running to your local grocery store to purchase your first batch of matcha. According to an article by health.com titled “What is Matcha?”, matcha powder is packed with antioxidants and can help fight cancer, type 2 diabetes, and depression; it can also reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure and protect brain function and bone health.
However, it is important to consume with caution because the whole, powdered leaves of matcha tea are much stronger than steeped green tea. In addition to these health benefits, matcha powder gives a slower, prolonged boost of energy as opposed to the instant energy kick followed by the energy crash you get from coffee, according to an article by healthline.com titled “How Do Matcha and Coffee Compare?”. The L-theanine compound in matcha promotes relaxation instead of jitteriness, resulting in a mind that is calm but alert.
While there are many ways to incorporate this stimulant into your diet, I chose to try a homemade matcha latte. As a short disclaimer, the combination of sweets and dairy in the matcha latte can mask the rich, earthy taste of matcha powder, so this isn’t the purest form of drinking matcha.
Preparing the matcha latte is a simple, five-minute process—you add a few teaspoons of
ground matcha powder, mix in about a tablespoon of hot water, add your desired quantity of milk, and mix in a sweetener of your choice; I chose to add monk fruit.
My first impression of the drink was negative—the aftertaste was too strong for my liking, and I ended up adding more milk to balance it out. However, after a few more experimental sips, I found the aftertaste wasn’t that bad anymore. In my case, matcha is an acquired taste.
For the remainder of the day, I felt more energized and focused on my work. And while drinking matcha isn’t for everyone, I would say the plethora of health benefits makes it worth a try.