Benefits of Drinking Matcha
Although matcha seems to be a buzzword these days, it’s benefits go way beyond the most recent fad or what’s on trend. I’ve been drinking matcha for the last few years since I discovered the amazing skin boosting properties matcha has. Ever since, I’ve been playing around with recipes and getting one matcha latte in a day. So what exactly is matcha? Matcha is a high quality green tea in powder form. The powder is made from green tea leaves being crushed finely. The benefits are endless. I’ve listed a few for you here along with my favorite ways to drink matcha.
mood
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Skin- matcha gives your skin that extra boost and enhances your skin’s natural glow. Because of its antioxidant properties, it may reduce the appearance of inflamed skin while boosting your skin’s natural healing properties from the inside out.
Immune Health- Because the entire green tea leaf is crushed into powder, matcha is packed with anti-oxidants to help fight inflammation. One of the most prevalent being chlorophyll which includes benefits ranging from skin, all the way to immune health.
Energy- Matcha has lower caffeine levels than coffee, but it is still known to give you sustained energy without the crash. It has theanine properties which are linked to relaxation while also promoting alertness.
Metabolism- It’s not a secret that anything with caffeine will aid in speeding up your metabolism. Many studies have found that along with exercise, matcha not only gives you energy, but it also helps you burn fat long after your workout is over. Other studies suggests it increases your metabolic rate so that your body burns more fat.
Mood Booster- matcha has so many nutrient dense properties that are so beneficial for our brain and for sustaining better moods throughout the day. With calming and stress relieving properties, matcha has been linked to increasing your mood while giving you that extra boost.
Matcha has a very distinct and earthy taste. It is not sweet by any means and is definitely an acquired taste. If you’re ordering matcha at a coffee shop, I always ask for a matcha latte (ask for whatever milk you prefer) and then have them add cinnamon on top. It’s so good either hot or iced. If you’re making matcha at home, the recipes are endless. Add a teaspoon of matcha to your smoothie to cover up the flavor, or make a latte. I’ve included my favorite recipes below along with my favorite brand of matcha.
Matcha Post Workout Smoothie-
1 cup almond milk or milk of choice
2 dates
1 scoop garden of life sport vanilla protein
1 tablespoon PB2
1 teaspoon matcha
3 ice cubes
1 banana
Mix all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth!
Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte-
mix 1 teaspoon of matcha into 8 oz of milk, set aside
blend together 4 strawberries and a dash of agave or maple syrup (add a little milk to make the strawberry pure smooth)
strain strawberry mixture using a fine mesh strainer into a small glass
fill a large glass with ice
pour matcha over ice
pour strawberry milk mixture over matcha
add in some fresh strawberries if you’d like as a garnish
Regular Matcha Latte-
follow the instructions from your matcha package
in a saucepan heat 8 oz of milk with 1 tablespoon of maple syrup
pour matcha into milk and stir until combined
pour into a mug and sprinkle cinnamon on top
Iced Matcha Latte with Sweet Cream-
mix 1 teaspoon of matcha into 8 oz of milk
in a separate glass bowl or container or frother on the cold setting, mix 1/4 cup milk with sweetener of choice. Use a handheld frother to create a foam
fill one glass with ice
pour matcha mixture over ice
pour sweet cream over matcha