Matcha

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A couple friends of mine recently gave me some matcha tea, and I am loving it. I've had matcha before, but not on a regular basis, and I am already noticing a difference in how I feel, so this is my little love letter to matcha.

Matcha tea is a bright green tea that is actually green tea leaves that are crushed into a fine powder. So rather than steeping the tea, you are using the entire leaves. There are about a bajillion health benefits to matcha — it fights cancer, burns fat, boosts metabolism, clears your head, calms you down but gives you energy but not in a jittery way, and lowers cholesterol and blood sugar, just to name a few. It also helps with inflammation and your immune system.

How does it calm you down but give you energy? That's from an amino acid called L-Theanine that helps balance your brainwaves.

Over a thousand years ago, matcha came to Japan as an aid to meditation practice. During long hours of sitting, monks would drink matcha to remain alert yet calm. -- MatchaSource.com

I have totally noticed that feeling this week. I was actually making my tea at night before bed, because I like a hot cup of tea to relax, and it wasn't really keeping me awake or anything, but then I was reading about the energy levels you're supposed to get, so I figured I was wasting that at bedtime. I need the energy in the morning! So I've switched to having some in the morning before breakfast or anything — matcha with some fruit, then breakfast, then some coffee a little later in the morning.

I've also noticed that it really does boost my mood. I feel happier and more clear-headed, so I can focus on the moment and be more efficient with my work. It's actually really remarkable.

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So what does it taste like? It's really not bad! It tastes really earthy — kind of like grass — but I like that kind of thing. If you don't, you can just down it really quick, because you only make about 4 ounces for each serving. I like to have some fruit with mine, which helps cut the bitterness between sips. Honestly, just remember that the benefits far outweigh the taste if you don't like something very earthy.

If you're interested in trying matcha, be careful about where you purchase it. Just like anything else, there are companies that will dilute the product and make a lower-quality product so that it's cheaper. Don't do that. Get the good stuff. It's not cheap, but it's worth it. I can hook you up with my dealer if you want. ;)