The Magic of Matcha

Matcha has been gaining in popularity lately, but it’s actually been around since the sixteenth century. Matcha is a powdered green tea grown in Japan. It is made by shading green tea leaves from the sun to increase their chlorophyll content. The leaves are then ground into the green powder used in smoothies, baking, or simply to make a richer green tea.

Matcha has numerous benefits and is a healthy alternative to coffee. It’s caffeine content is balanced by an amino acid that causes energy without the drowsiness. This nutrient filled powder gives you over sixty times the antioxidants of spinach and helps with weight loss, heart health, and brain power.  In addition, it contains polyphenol EGCg, which is known for its cancer fighting and DNA damage-reversing properties.

Many coffee shops and cafes are now offering matcha lattes, but you can also brew your own matcha at home.   Matcha is naturally bitter, so most prefer it in a blended drink. If you are a Santa Barbara local, you can find delicious matcha lattes at Lucky Llama Coffee House and Vices & Spices From Around the World. Pressed Juicery even offers a new protein packed matcha hemp milk sweetened with dates.

Matcha takes green tea to a whole new level!