Providence Tarzana Medical Center issued the following announcement on Jan. 7
Matcha is versatile, considered tasty by many and is even good for you. There are numerous recipes available to help whet your appetite. You can drink matcha in a steaming mug of tea as part of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Maybe mix up some popsicles for a cool treat that both energizes and refreshes. Or swirl it into your ice cream for subtle flavor and eye-popping color. The applications for matcha are nearly endless. But what is it, and does it have a place in your diet?
Matcha is a green tea that's deliberately grown in the shade to develop more chlorophyll in its leaves. Once harvested and dried, matcha leaves are ground into a fine powder that can be used for tea or in several cooking applications.
Here's an overview of the bright green powder that could change the way you look at tea.
Much ado about matcha
Matcha is a type of green tea that's grown, processed and prepared differently than traditional green tea. It has more caffeine and a more robust, grassier flavor than other green teas. It can be consumed as a beverage or used in baked goods.
How is matcha grown?
Matcha tea bushes are grown in restricted sunlight and are often covered or shielded from direct sunlight for 20–30 days before they are harvested. The process gives the tea leaves a dark green color and increases their chlorophyll levels (for color) and amino acid content (for health).
How is matcha processed?
Matcha leaves are picked by hand. Once harvested, the veins and stems are removed, and the leaves are stone-ground into a bright green powder. The powder contains more caffeine than green tea, but less than black tea or coffee.
How is matcha prepared?
To make matcha tea, matcha powder is measured into a heated tea bowl. Hot water is added and the mixture is whisked together briskly until it becomes smooth throughout with a frothy top. Matcha powder may also be used in cooking or baking.
Health benefits
- High in catechins, a type of natural antioxidant that prevents or slows cell abnormalities
- Reduces cell damage to help prevent chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis
- Protects liver and kidney health
- Caffeine and a brain-boosting compound called L-theanine improves brain function to increase attention span, memory and reaction time
- Slows growth of some cancer cells
- Promotes heart health by reducing cholesterol and triglycerides
- Increases metabolism and promotes weight loss
- May contain pesticides, heavy metals and other contaminants from the soil or environment
- May cause nausea
- Consuming large amounts may cause liver toxicity, insomnia and rapid heartbeat
Matcha can be enjoyed as a beverage or used as an ingredient in many foods, including:
- Green tea, lattes and smoothies
- Ice cream
- Soba noodles
- Sweet treats like cake, cookies and doughnuts
- Baked goods like breads, muffins and scones
Original source can be found here
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