One may wish to know how to make matcha tea for numerous reasons, the health benefits of consuming green tea, the fact that the entire leaf is consumed when drinking matcha tea (as opposed to just water extract), the elegance of Japanese tea traditions, or the fact you are making it yourself. Different consistencies can be obtained, both thin (Usucha) and thick (Koicha), this article will detail how you can brew the best cup of matcha tea possible.
How to Make Matcha Tea
A cup of matcha tea has numerous benefits and can be made very easily at home. Simply follow the steps below:
- Get quality matcha tea powder, and place around ½ to 1 teaspoon into a cup (depending on how strong you wish your tea to be).
- Add around 50ml of water just below boiling temperature. Boiling water will burn the powder if placed directly onto it, so ensure to allow the water to cool if it is boiling.
- Using a fork, whisk the tea in a W shape, ensuring to remove all lumps in the cup (paying close attention to any clumps at the bottom). It may be easier to use a whisk as opposed to a fork.
- Once liquid paste is attained, continue to fill up the cup with water just below boiling temperature (around 80 degrees), stirring as you pour.
- If you wish to add hot or cold milk, or orange juice, in replace of water in step four, it can lead to exciting new flavors.
- If, after brewing your tea, it is too weak, add more powder next time; and vice-versa if it is too strong.
Know how to make matcha tea step by step here:
Tips on Drinking Matcha Tea
- After brewing the matcha tea, allow the beverage to cool to room temperature before consumption.
- Use spring water when brewing matcha tea to ensure the best flavor.
- There are no known side-effects from drinking too much matcha tea and many people consume one-two servings daily.
- Once a packet is opened, it should be used within four weeks. When unopened, store the packet away from direct sunlight, heat, odors and humidity in a cool, dark place.
How Can Matcha Tea Benefit You?
You have learned how to make matcha tea, but do you really know the benefits of drinking this tea? If not, here are 8 benefits that will make you love matcha tea more!
1. Works as Antioxidants
Antioxidants have numerous benefits on one's health, including disease prevention, UV protection and anti-aging benefits. Many consume antioxidants through raw vegetables and fruits among other sources, but matcha tea has around five times more antioxidants than them.
What's more, a specific type of antioxidant, known as catechin, is abundant in matcha green tea. Epigallocatechin gallate or EGCg takes up about 60% of all catechins, which is the most widely recognized antioxidant to pertain cancer fighting properties.
2. Help Relax and Concentrate
Matcha green tea contains L-Theanine, an amino acid, which helps to calm and relax one's mind without causing drowsiness. You can use matcha tea to calm you down whilst remaining alert.
L-Theanine also helps in dopamine and serotonin production which have numerous effects on one's state of mind, including helping to improve concentration, memory and mood.
3. Improve Energy Levels
Matcha green tea was once drunk by samurai before battle to attain energy for the fight. The energy one gets from matcha tea is largely due to the high level of L-Theanine within matcha tea as opposed to the caffeine that all green tea contains. This means learning how to make matcha tea and consuming it regularly can give you good, clean, long lasting energy without the side effects pertaining to a caffeine boost.
4. Strengthen Immunity
The catechins in matcha tea contain antibiotics which can help improve overall health. Besides, matcha tea has a high amount of vitamins A & C, potassium, iron, calcium and protein, which help to build your body. Some studies have also suggested that the nutrients fund within matcha tea can help to inhibit the effects of HIV on human T-cells.
5. Balance Cholesterol Levels
Although the reason is yet to find out, results of studies among different populations show that matcha tea can reduce levels of bad cholesterol (LDL), whilst improving levels of good cholesterol (HDL).
6. Other Benefits
- Drinkingmatcha tea has been shown to boost metabolism, helping body burn fat and calories.
- Matcha tea contains high amounts of chlorophyll which remove chemical toxins and heavy metals out of your body naturally, detoxifying your body.
- Besides all the health benefits, the great flavor of matcha tea will definitely bring great pleasure to your life. You don't even have to bother about adding sugar, milk, lemon, etc.