The Global Rise of Matcha

What’s So Special About The Green Powder?

What is matcha ? why is it green? why is it getting global recognition? . To answer all these questions , we created this blog for both you and me .

According to most websites , matcha is a Japanese green tea powder made from finely powdered dried tea leaves. The leaves’ high chlorophyll content gives it a vivid green hue and a slightly bitter, vegetal flavor. For generations, it has served as the main component of traditional Japanese tea rituals.

Although matcha tea is even more beneficial than regular green tea, it is nevertheless hailed as an antioxidant powerhouse. The reason for this is that other types of green tea need you to steep the leaves in boiling water before discarding them. Matcha is made by whisking the powder into milk or hot water. Thus, when you drink the tea, you literally swallow the entire leaf! Its antioxidant content may potentially increase your metabolism while lowering blood pressure and lowering your chance of heart disease.

What about caffeine, then? Although matcha has a higher caffeine content than ordinary green tea, it doesn’t have the same euphoric effect as coffee. You feel calmer yet more focused and invigorated afterward.

BRIEF ORIGINS OF MATCHA :

Matcha originated in Japan in the 1100s when a Zen Buddhist monk brought tea seeds back from his studies in China. This practice, known as “the way of tea,” turned the art of making the perfect cup of tea into a religious practice that honored the beauty present in the otherwise imperfect world. As was customary at the period, the tea cultivated for the ceremony was powdered and then swirled into boiling water using a bamboo brush. The tea leaves were sipped while suspended in the frothy water instead of being filtered out as they are in steeped tea.

Zen Buddhist monks would use the tea powder to help them focus while meditating, contributing to matcha being traditionally prepared in a ritualistic manner.

Matcha must be grown under strict conditions. It is taken from shade grown tea plants , which have high level of chlorophyll and have a bright green color. Only the top 3 layers and buds are harvested from the young tea plant called Camellia Sinensis. To halt the oxidation process , the tea leaves are steamed then de-veined and ground in stone mills. Because of the labor – intensive process and the stringent production standards, matcha is among of the most expensive teas in the world.

The flavor of matcha is green, somewhat nutty, and just a little bitter. Matcha that scores highest in terms of flavor and color in Japan is referred to as ceremonial grade, and it is supposed to be drunk unadulterated without the addition of sweets or other substances. Even more bitter than ordinary matcha, culinary matcha is used in ice cream and blended with milk to create a type of latte. Matcha is also an ingredient in several drinks. Matcha, which is available at health food stores, tea and coffee shops, and other establishments, has gained popularity much beyond its native country.

For hundreds of years, matcha tea cultivation and consumption would be mostly restricted to East Asia until advancements in global industry and technology made matcha tea’s advantages and allure more widely known. These days, you can locate a nearby matcha business online or in person in a matter of minutes.

SOCIAL MEDIA , ITS IMPACT AND TECHNOLOGY

The science and benefits associated with eating healthy have gained popularity as we’ve reached the era of instant access to information, and they’ve entered almost every area of social media. Superfoods and fad diets are becoming hot subjects which influence millions of customers every day.

Social media plays a huge role in influencing the public and any product that is beneficial by a thread if used , shared by celebrities blows up in the internet . Netizens goes crazy when their favorite celebrity endorses a product and they can’t wait to try it. This is a major way to increase sales , improve publicity and overall image of the brand and sometimes these celebrities even endorse the products for free.

What do superstars like Ashley Olsen and Gwyneth Paltrow have in common? tea made with matcha. Yes, Olsen likes the smoothie form, while Paltrow prefers to drink it hot and with milk, almost 16 million Google search results and almost a million Instagram references are found for matcha tea. It is reasonable to conclude, then, that the health poem about matcha tea makes sense. It’s been described as calming, slimming, antioxidant-rich, and many other positive attributes.

While many people choose to drink matcha to try out the latest health trend, its distinct flavor, coloring, and associated health benefits have helped it stay around as a growing competitor to coffee worldwide. The matcha market in the US is projected to exceed a value of USD 2 billion by 2025.

5 HEALTH BENEFITS OF DRINKING MATCHA TEA

WHERE CAN I FIND THIS ?

You can find matcha green tea in offline markets and websites like Amazon , Flipkart and other tea websites . You can find variety of matcha teas and also find some recipes that are easy to make , interesting and unique.

CONCLUSION

With the rise of matcha as a tea or a beverage , people are starting to notice the benefits and functionality of the tea . Some studies also suggest that drinking matcha tea regularly gives your body a wealth of nutrients that pave the way to a healthier lifestyle and longer life too.

As more and more people are prioritizing their health and wellness , matcha’s high anti-oxidant content combined with its calming yet energizing character makes it a popular drink among fitness freaks and tea enthusiasts alike. Matcha can also be made into smoothies , lattes and be used in desserts , different cuisines , etc. It has made itself known in the global market.

With the expansion of this green tea powder originating in Japan , now known worldwide and will keep growing as more people discover the unique qualities and its health benefits. Try making variations of matcha into beverages and comment down your recipes!