Many people reach for coffee when they wake up hoping that a cup of the hot brew will perk them up for the day ahead.  As coffee has gotten a bad rep over the past few years, some people have switched to tea.  With it’s lower levels of caffeine and multiple health benefits tea seems like the perfect alternative (albeit without the huge caffeine boost that coffee offers).  So what if there was another alternative that gives you a nice boost of energy and alertness but without the crash and it is was really really good for you, would you believe me?  In case you haven’t tried it before, let me introduce you to matcha.

Matcha is the highest quality powdered green tea available.  It’s made from nutrient rich, young leaves picked from the tips of the camellia sinuses plant that have been shaded.  Once they are picked, the leaves are steamed and de-stemmed then stone ground into a fine powder.  It is important to store matcha properly and away from sunlight and oxygen in order to preserve matcha’s bright green colour and antioxidant properties.

Here are my top 5 reason’s to reach for matcha on a regular basis:

1. Enhances A Calmer State of Mind – matcha is commonly used as a means to calm the mind, relax and meditate while remaining alert
2. Boosts Memory and Concentration – this is a side effect of the L-Theanine in matcha.  L-Theanine helps to boost the production of serotonin and dopamine within the body.  Both of these neurotransmitters can help to improve your memory, promote better concentration and boost your mood.
3. Detoxify The Body – Matcha is very high in chlorophyll which is a natural detoxifier.  Chlorophyll is great for removing heavy metals and toxins from the body.
4. Weight Loss – many people reach for the matcha in the hopes that it will help them to shed unwanted pounds.  While matcha can help boost weight loss, while on a healthy weight loss program it is not a magic cure all.  Matcha has a high concentration of EGCG, which has shown to increase the rate of buying stored fat within the body as energy, it also helps to decrease the formation of new fat cells, and increase the body’s rate of calorie and fat burning especially while exercising.
5. High in Antioxidants – this is my favourite reason to reach for matcha.  Matcha contains 5X as many antioxidants as any other food.  The antioxidants help to reduce inflammation within the body, support skin health and reduce free radicals that accelerate skin aging.

When purchasing matcha powder, be sure to purchase organic as high concentrations of lead and fluoride have been found in non-organic matcha.  Also make sure that it has been sealed and stored properly, in order to maximize the benefits of this fabulous green drink.

After a quick internet search, I learnt that everyone has their own favourite way to make matcha.  Some like to keep it traditional, while others like to get fancy and include it in smoothies and lattes.  Personally, I like to keep it simple but I also like to enhance it a little bit.  I don’t use the traditional method, but I enjoy it and wanted to share it with you.

Soreiya’s Morning Matcha (1 Serving)

1 tsp of organic matcha

1 scoop of organic collagen powder

pinch of cinnamon

Hot water

Traditional bamboo whisk + bowl

It’s important not to use boiling hot water as this can cause the leaves to burn, so I normally boil the water and wait 5 – 10 minutes for it to cool.

Combine the matcha, collagen powder and cinnamon in the bowl and use the whisk to combine them and break any lumps that may be in the powder (the texture should be smooth and even)

Add 2oz of hot water

Whisk the tea using a zig zag whisking motion until the tea is frothy

Either enjoy drinking the tea straight from the bowl or pour into a cup and drink

I hope that you have a beautiful day!  XXS

Please Note: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.  It is not intended to serve as a substitute for a consultation or medical treatment from a qualified physician or healthcare practitioner.