Matcha Green Tea: A Better Alternative

Everyone has heard of the health benefits of green tea. Matcha is a high quality, very fine green tea. Native to China and also used in Japan, Matcha has been used for centuries for health benefits, longevity, and weightloss.

This tea looks and tastes much different from the green tea most are used to and is also made in a unique way. The bushes are grown under trees for shade and are covered weeks before harvest. In order to maintain the bright, neon green color of the tea, sunlight must be significantly reduced. Once the tea leaves are picked, they are laid flat to dry. As soon as the drying process has started, the leaves will begin to crumble. They are then taken and stone-ground to a very thin, talc-like powder. Years ago, this powder was made into blocks and stored away for later use.

The preparation of Matcha is also different. There are no tea bags to boil. A bowl or cup of water is heated, below the boiling point, and the powder is stirred in directly. The entire leaves are consumed and, in turn, you are consuming a significant amount more of nutrients and vitamins. When making the tea, you will need to experiment with the consistency by using more or less of the powder. It can be made into a "mud" tea or a thin tea. The levels of amino acids are very high, which gives it a unique sweet taste.

Studies have shown that one glass of Matcha is equal to drinking ten glasses of regular green tea. Here are just some of the health benefits associated with this tea.

• Gives a heightened sense of alertness.

• Causes a calm and meditative mind state.

• Gives a boost of energy that can last up to eight hours.

• It is know as a cancer fighting agent by converting the body to alkaline. *This is extremely important because cancer cells cannot grow in an alkaline environment.

• Slows the aging process.

• Aids in weightloss.

When purchasing Matcha green tea, buy only high, quality-grade that is imported from a reliable source. As with anything, the purity is very important to receive the maximum benefits.

Sources:
http://www.matchasource.com/matcha-tea-health-benefits-s/14.htm