Matcha tea: Liz Earle discusses benefits on This Morning
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Drinking matcha tea is just one way to reap the naturally health-boosting benefits of this deep green powder, but just how well does it fare next to your morning coffee? While many of us enjoy hot drinks as a means of boosting our energy levels, the green tea derivative known as matcha is often overlooked for its impressive caffeine content. Switching a rich espresso for a shot of matcha is easier than you might think, and Express.co.uk spoke to Bird and Blend Tea Co. to find out why.
What is matcha?
Made from the Camellia Sinensis plant, matcha is the purest version of green tea which boasts an impressive nutrient profile.
The strong green hue is achieved by covering the tea plant around 20-30 days before harvest, which helps to increase both chlorophyll production and amino acids.
Once the leaves are harvested they are ground into a fine powder which contains a broad range of nutrients from the entire leaf.
Considered as one of the world’s biggest superfoods, matcha offers an authentic way of drinking green tea while providing a steady caffeine fix and a host of internal benefits.
How is matcha similar to coffee?
While green tea might seem like an odd trade-off for a cup of coffee, just one shot of matcha could be just as awakening when it comes to kick-starting your day.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Krisi Smith, Co-Founder of Bird & Blend Tea Co. said: “Matcha is no ordinary tea! Brewing a swamp-like green matcha in the morning provides three times the energy boost to an espresso.
“The energy release happens throughout the day, for a more invigorating start and no caffeine jitters.”
As well as providing a stable hit of caffeine throughout the day, just one cup of matcha contains the equivalent benefits of 10 cups of regular green tea.
Replacing your coffee cravings with a more sustainable drink like matcha is easier than you might think.
Just one shot of this powerful antioxidant powder can be added into everything from creamy lattes to herbal tea blends.
With an eye for unique tea combinations, Kris has dedicated years to finding the perfect companions for matcha powder.
She said: “’Matcha has become more popular over the last few years in the west as a health food, with ‘matcha lattes’ popping up on most chain coffee shop menus.
“At Bird and Blend Tea Co. we use top quality powdered green tea from Japan, and blend it with superfood ingredients like blueberry, kale, carob & turmeric.
“We always make our matcha lattes with oat milk too!’”
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Why is matcha a healthier alternative to coffee?
Green tea has a reputation for being healthy because of its reduced caffeine and increased antioxidant content.
With a high caffeine concentrate like matcha – it can seem impossible that this green variety could offer so many positive benefits too.
In her book, The Atlas of Tea, Kris explains that there are three natural components found in tea which affect the way we absorb caffeine.
These include:
- Polyphenols such as catechins
- Antioxidants
- Amino acid L-theanine
When we drink caffeinated tea rather than coffee, the physical effects such as a racing heart or shaking limbs are much less dramatic, but increased energy levels can be prolonged, says Kris.
What are the health benefits of matcha?
As the go-to drink for Buddhist monks, matcha is renowned for its ability to provide focus and alertness.
Drinking matcha offers a range of internal benefits, ranging from improved brain function to a healthier heart.
According to the medically accredited website Healthline, there are five proven benefits of matcha:
- Antioxidant intake – antioxidants help to prevent cell damage and lower the risk of some chronic diseases including Parkinson’s and Dementia.
- Liver protection – green tea extract can reduce liver enzymes which are a marker of liver damage
- Boosts brain function – attention, reaction time and memory have all been proven to improve with regular matcha consumption
- Lower cholesterol – matcha can reduce ‘bad cholesterol’, reducing the risk of heart disease
- Weight loss – green tea can boost the metabolism and increase energy expenditure
How to drink matcha
Matcha powder can be added to almost any hot drink in place of your usual coffee shot.
Bird and Blend Tea Co. offer 20 energy-boosting matcha tea flavours, blended together with other organic fruits and herbs.
Their matcha powder range includes:
- Lemon
- Gingernut
- Super blend – matcha, fruity acai and blueberry
- Nordic Berry
- Ice Cream
- Mermaid – matcha and blue pea flower
- Salted Caramel
- Cocoa
- Orange
- Spearmint
- Chilli Kale
- Peaches and Cream
- Honey
The blends can be enjoyed hot or cold, and can even be sprinkled over warm porridge.
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