Matcha!
What is matcha?
Matcha and regular green tea both come from the Camellia sinensis plant, which
is native to China. However, matcha is grown differently than regular green
tea. The tea bushes are shielded from sunlight for 20 to 30 days before harvest.
The shade triggers an increase in chlorophyll levels, which turns the leaves a
darker shade of green and increases the production of amino acids. After
harvesting, the stems and veins are removed from the leaves. They are then
stone-ground into a fine, bright green powder known as matcha. Because the
whole leaf powder is ingested, matcha contains more of some substances — such
as caffeine and antioxidants — than green tea. One typical 2 to 3-ounce serving
of standard matcha, made from 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of powder, generally packs about
70 mg of caffeine "3". This is significantly higher than a cup "237 mL" of
regular green tea, which provides 35 mg of caffeine. Caffeine content also
varies based on how much powder you add. Matcha, which can have a grassy and
bitter taste, is often served with a sweetener or milk.
Matcha powder is also popular in smoothies and baking.
Page Coded by Perla Toscano