At Blume we love nutrient dense superfoods and matcha is no exception. Matcha is a type of green tea made from grinding whole green tea leaves into a rich powder, full-of-soul, soothing benefits. The powder boasts a higher nutrient potency than goji berries and thanks to the natural substance l-theanine found in the leaves, sipping on this vibrant green goddess will calm your body and mind. L-theanine is an amino acid found in tea that helps send nerve impulses to the brain and increases focus, eases mental distress (hint, anxiety), and improves sleep. Our coconut matcha blend is formulated with coconut milk powder for extra creaminess, and moringa leaf powder for extra antioxidants, iron and B vitamins. Your well-being will be singing its praises!
Matcha’s superpowers start with its richness of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, and amino acids and go all the way to potentially helping prevent heart disease, type 2 diabetes and even possibly cancer.
Here's our favourite reasons to drink matcha
Matcha is full of antioxidants
Antioxidants are molecules naturally produced in the body as well as in a variety of foods that help your body protect itself from harmful free radicals. Oxidative stress occurs when free radicals outnumber antioxidants, which can lead to damaging your DNA and increase your risk of disease. In need of an antioxidant boost? Matcha contains a type of antioxidant called catechins which helps prevent cell damage by stabilizing free radicals. Matcha has up to 137 times more antioxidants than other types of green tea. It is also rich in polyphenol antioxidants which have been linked to regulating blood sugar and blood pressure levels, anti-aging, and protecting against heart disease and cancer.
Matcha enhances mood and concentration
Looking to have peaceful focus without falling asleep during the work day? Matcha weighs in at just 65 mg of caffeine per 1 tsp (and only about 35 mg in a serving of Blume Coconut Matcha), compared to 100 mg of caffeine in a cup of coffee. Matcha creates an alert calmness caused by the combination of low caffeine and the amino acid l-theanine, which increases alpha wave activity in the brain. When these two forces combine your body will be in a state of wakeful relaxation with decreased stress levels and lowered anxiety. So you can forget the caffeine jitters and crash by 10am. L-theanine boosts the feel-good hormones serotonin and dopamine, so matcha will leave you feeling sip-happy!
Matcha detoxifies your liver
Our liver is a wonderful defender for keeping daily toxins at bay so keeping it thriving by consuming more naturally detoxifying foods is top priority! Green tea leaves contain high levels of chlorophyll that help the body naturally eliminate toxins from its tissues and organs. Antioxidants in matcha also moonlight as liver protectors and can help block the flu virus from sticking to your normal cells, which can stress your liver out. Sip on Blume’s Matcha Coconut Blend to keep your immune system supported this cold and flu season.
Matcha can boost your metabolism
EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate) is another mighty antioxidant found in matcha that is known to speed up metabolism which increases your energy levels, improves blood flow and helps you get the most from your workout. Matcha’s dose of vitamins and minerals aids the body in creating fat burning enzymes and antioxidants reduce exercise-induced oxidative stressors (when oxygen-free radicals damage cells), allowing your body to recover more quickly from a workout.
Matcha reduces inflammation
Lifestyle stress can trigger inflammation in the body and have a negative effect on our organs and our metabolism. Polyphenols found in matcha, particularly ECGCs, are loaded with anti-inflammatory properties that help with pain relief, premature aging and chronic disease development.
Ceremonial Matcha vs. Culinary
Here’s the scoop on ceremonial matcha vs culinary grade. While both are equally delicious, ceremonial matcha is the highest grade matcha and traditionally used for Japanese tea ceremonies. Matcha is a shade-grown plant which forces the tea leaves to over produce chlorophyll. It has an electric bright green colour, is creamy and sweeter to taste and more delicate on the palate. The powder itself is silky and very fine. Not typically mixed with added milk or sweetener, ceremonial matcha is ideal on its own. Make sure to prepare it with steaming, not boiling water to enjoy the perfect sip. Culinary matcha is paler in its green glow due to using leaves that have not been as shaded as ceremonial matcha leaves. Its texture is slightly more coarse than ceremonial matcha. Culinary matcha is less expensive and has a more robust, sometimes bitter flavour. It’s ideal for making lattes and adding to recipes.
Did you know studies have shown that matcha contains up to 17x more antioxidants than blueberries?!
Like learning about matcha and want to enjoy it outside of your mug? Check out our Pineapple Matcha Smoothie and our Vegan Matcha Nice Cream.
Shop Matcha Coconut Blend
Resources:
https://www.health.com/nutrition/what-is-matcha
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-benefits-of-matcha-tea#The-bottom-line
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/305289#nutrition
https://matcha.com/pages/matcha-health-benefits
https://matchasource.com/health-benefits-of-matcha-tea/
https://matcha.com/blogs/news/how-drinking-matcha-can-boost-your-mental-performance-matcha-as-a-nootropic-2019
https://sirjasonwinters.com/detoxing-your-liver-with-green-tea/
https://www.modernfit.com/tips/does-matcha-help-with-inflammation/
https://matcha.com/blogs/news/dr-weils-top-12-anti-inflammatory-foods
https://www.paeats.com/feature/health-benefits-of-matcha/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/antioxidants-explained#free-radicals