Have you ever heard about the beverage of the moment? Today we explain some facts about Matcha that we are sure you are going to love!
Matcha
Matcha is a very popular beverage, originating from Asia and consumed worldwide. It has been used in China since 520 B.C., with reports of consumption dating back to 2700 B.C., where it was used as a medicinal plant.
In Japan, Buddhists consumed it to increase their concentration during meditation.
This product is obtained through a traditional process. It begins with the collection of green tea leaves, which are spread out to dry, subjected to a steam bath, and separated from the stems. Then they are ground to achieve a fine green powder.
In Japan, this simple preparation has an almost ritualistic character, where attention is paid to detail from the quality of the water to the materials used to prepare the matcha, such as the bamboo whisk used to froth the infusion.
It can be prepared in many ways! Matcha tea pairs well with chocolates, cookies, orange juice, or even salted flavors like cheeses, dairy products, and even pumpkins. It has also become popular in bubble tea.
According to Linkedin, “Matcha sales in food applications exceeded $360 million in 2020, primarily due to the incorporation of matcha powder into baked goods, beverages, and other packaged foods.
In 1996, Haagen-Dazs launched matcha-flavored ice cream in Japan, and in 2001, Starbucks launched matcha cappuccino. In 2010, the results of the annual survey of “Consumers’ Favorite Ice Cream Flavors” released by the Japan Ice Cream Association showed that matcha flavor ranked fifth. By 2015, the matcha flavor had risen to third place, with a preference rate of nearly 50%,” reads the article.
The use of matcha in regular tea beverages may exceed $3 billion by 2027, as it is primarily used to provide concentrated antioxidants.
Many recommend it as a superfood with antioxidants that can prevent cancer, improve memory, and reduce stress and anxiety. Although not as extensively researched as regular tea, it is claimed to be a healthy beverage. “We don’t have similar evidence in the case of matcha, but since it contains the same ingredients as green tea, but in much higher concentrations, we can deduce that it offers the same benefits.
However, despite all these benefits, if you have any of these conditions, you may want to avoid matcha: people allergic to green tea, those who cannot consume caffeine, people with anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, or active gastritis. It’s best to avoid it in these cases.
Furthermore, nutrition specialists explain that it is recommended not to consume more than 4 cups a day, considering that each cup provides around 35g of caffeine, as consuming more than that amount can cause headaches, insomnia, diarrhea, etc.
So there you have it! Do you love this magical drink as we do?
