Written by Cloé Vaz-Wiggins
Image via Pinterest
There’s so much that can be said about matcha. Its many benefits, its very aesthetically pleasing appearance and let’s not forget, its rich origin. Matcha originated in Japan, made from grown tea leaves which are stone ground into a fine powder. It has been an integral part of Japanese tea ceremonies for centuries. I’ll do my best to share as many facts and amazing benefits matcha contains so that hopefully, in the eventuality that you’re still a coffee drinker, you can start entertaining the idea of maybe, just maybe, switching to matcha.
And, I know, bold statement, after all, so many of us have this emotional attachment to coffee even when we’re not regular drinkers. Maybe we’re too attached to the brands that we’ve known our entire lives, too exposed to the concept and the habit of carrying or the concept of having a cup of coffee, but after reading all of the amazing benefits that matcha has to offer – all of which are undoubtedly good for you – maybe, you can start getting emotionally attached to those instead and changing your ‘coffee’ narrative.
Everything you need in a cup
Quick facts about matcha: the vibrant green colour of matcha comes from the high chlorophyll content in the leaves, it is rich in antioxidants called catechins, and this one is a very important one, catechins have been associated with various health benefits such as reducing the risk of chronic diseases, reducing inflammation, protecting against cellular damage, improving heart health and supporting a healthy immune system. Another reason? Matcha is super versatile, you can enjoy it in many different ways, yes, as a drink and a coffee replacement, but you can also add it to smoothies, desserts and even savoury dishes, it has a distinct flavour that might take some time to get used to, but once you find your mix and your preferred vessel, it’s honestly heaven.
Matcha also contains an amino acid called L-theanine, which is known to improve mental focus, it works synergistically with caffeine to provide a calm and alert state of mind, this combination is usually named ‘calm energy’ by matcha drinkers, who feel energised but not jittery or anxious which sometimes can be the case when drinking coffee.
You won’t find detoxifying properties like this anywhere else
Let’s go back to the catechins for a second, because they’re truly so special, imagine this: the catechins in matcha possess antibacterial properties that can help inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease. Additionally, the natural fluoride content in matcha can contribute to maintaining healthy teeth. And, since we’re at it, let’s go back to chlorophyl also, because of its high chlorophyll content matcha helps to cleanse and alkalise the system aiding in the elimination of toxins, it supports the natural detoxification process in the body, this detoxifying effect can contribute to overall wellbeing and vitality.
I think you get it by now, the health benefits are real and more than you’d know at first glance, so much so, that I would encourage you to keep digging until you find more benefits that were not mentioned on this article, I’m sure you will find more.
I also hope, that if you are ready to give it a try, you tap into the mindfulness and the spiritual approach that preparing and consuming your matcha can bring you. Sure, going to cute cafés that provide a very Instagrammable and cute moment is fun, but creating your own ritual around the process and the way in which you drink matcha will add that much more to the act of and all its benefits. And that’s probably one of the most special reasons to switch to matcha, it can offer you an opportunity to incorporate a calming ritual into your daily routine, one that promotes relation and mental well-being.
It’s also important to remember and end on this note, always: you are one of one, so it’s important that you listen to your body and respect any health considerations of preferences that make a difference to your lifestyle and your health.
