Even in ancient Japan, Buddhist monks relied on the power of matcha tea for an alert mind – many centuries later, we are once again looking for that energy kick that not only makes us fit, but is also healthy.
Why drink matcha tea?
Matcha, the star among green teas, is a fine powder from Japan that stimulates without making you jittery. Matcha has numerous healthy ingredients and is particularly rich in:
- vitamins
- amino acids
- minerals
- dietary fiber
- secondary plant compounds such as catechins and chlorophyll
With its valuable ingredients, matcha tea provides holistic support for our well-being.
Mild caffeine in matcha tea
With up to four percent caffeine, matcha tea certainly makes you wide awake, but not as restless as coffee. This is because the caffeine in matcha tea is bound to polyphenols. This causes it to be released more slowly in the body. As a result, you stay fit for longer, without the typical coffee jitters. Added to this is a high proportion of antioxidants. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, protect cells, and can counteract premature skin aging. That is why Hollywood stars have long sworn by matcha as an anti-aging remedy.
The queen of green tea varieties
For centuries, the valuable green tea powder has been drunk by Japanese monks to promote meditative concentration. The responsible ingredients, which are also found in other types of green tea, are present in much higher concentrations in matcha. This is because the whole leaf is used, meaning fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed better than in a simple green tea infusion. Today, there are delicious modern variations that have become an indispensable part of café menus from New York to Berlin. You can find Japanese matcha in creations like smoothies, matcha ice cream, and matcha lattes.
Anti-aging with matcha tea?
It is proven that matcha as a tea inspires body and mind. But antioxidant matcha tea can do much more: harmonize, detox, and drain. Matcha green tea works from the inside and from the outside. Prepared as a tea or used in a face mask, it is considered an insider tip for achieving beautiful, smooth skin. As a beauty superfood, matcha is included as a valuable component in numerous cosmetics. For one thing, matcha tea offers a great deal of chlorophyll. This is a secondary plant compound that detoxifies and inhibits inflammation. For another, the tea is rich in antioxidants, which protect the skin from free radicals and thus slow down the aging process.
Face mask with matcha
Did you know that you can easily make an effective matcha face mask yourself? Simply mix a teaspoon of quark or yogurt and a teaspoon of matcha powder together in a bowl. Apply as thinly as possible to the skin with a brush and leave on for 20 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water and then treat your face to a moisturizer.
You can find an interview with the author of "Matcha – das Kochbuch" here.
