Have you tried matcha green tea yet? People are turning to it for its natural health benefits, so let’s take a look at why it’s a hot topic right now.
What is matcha green tea?
A green tea powder from Japan, matcha is made by handpicking, steaming, drying and grounding only the youngest and finest of tea leaves. The end result contains a high level of chlorophyll and more caffeine than a cup of coffee. You won’t find a higher quality powdered green tea in the world.
What are the health benefits of matcha green tea?
When you drink matcha green tea, you’re ingesting entire leaves so you receive all of the nutrients, rather than just a proportion like you do with other green teas.
It’s great for weight loss. In a study featured in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 1999, researchers revealed that they’d found that people who consume matcha green tea can increase thermogenesis (the body’s rate of burning calories) to between 35% – 43% of daily energy expenditure. The standard rate is 8%-10% of daily energy expenditure, so it’s a huge increase.
None of the research subjects reported any side effects and there was no change in their heart rates, whereas there would have been had they taken medication to increase thermogenesis instead.
Other tasty ways to consume matcha green tea
If you don’t want to just simply enjoy a steaming hot cup of matcha green tea, you can buy the tea in powder form and add a ¼ of a teaspoon of it to your favourite sweet and savoury meals too.
Breakfast
For breakfast, you could sprinkle some matcha on your muesli, make a fruity smoothie with added matcha or mix some into plain yoghurt to give it a kick.
Lunch
If you’re having a bagel for lunch, why not mix matcha into your cream cheese or create your own nutritious spread by blending it in a food processor with hazelnuts, pecans and a spoonful of peanut butter?
Treats
For a sweet treat, you could bake some matcha and chocolate brownies or a coffee cake with a matcha topping.
Here is one easy recipe you should definitely try…
Green tea ice cream
Ingredients:
- 240ml double cream
- 4 tbsp sweetened condensed milk, cold
- 4 tbsp matcha green tea powder
Method:
Step 1: Add the matcha green tea powder to 4 tbsp. of hot water in a measuring jug. Leave to cool
Step 2: Whip the double cream in a mixing bowl until stiff
Step 3: Take the sweetened condensed milk and pour in the measuring jug. Stir well
Step 4: Carefully fold the tea and condensed mixture into the double cream until they’re combined
Step 5: Spoon the mixture into a recycled ice cream tub or plastic container. Cover with cling film
Step 6: Leave in the fridge for a minimum of 12 hours to set
Handpicked article: 5 healthy reasons to drink green tea
