A Taste of Japan
Matcha Green Tea
Matcha tea is rich in antioxidants, and is linked to many health benefits, such as preventing diabetes and heart disease. It also contains ingredients that result in calming effects on the brain.
Although matcha tea
contains more
caffeine than regular green tea, it has less caffeine than coffee and black tea. Once upon a time, matcha
tea was only reserved for the upper-class elites, to demonstrate sophisitation and
status. It
was also used by Buddhist monks, emperors and Samurais to to enhance their concentration, and improve
general health and
well-being.
In 1191, methods of preparing powdered tea were brought to Japan from China. A Zen master popularised this
tradition for
serving this powdered tea, which is now celebrated worldwide. This Japanese Tea Ceremony, called "chado",
translates to
“The Way of Tea”.
