When you take a look at Japan, you will see that matcha powder has been out there for centuries. The locals have been using it for all this time to cure a lot of conditions and improve their appearance. Thankfully, this wonderful product has become quite popular in other parts of the world as well these days.
Unless you are someone who doesn’t follow the news and new trends, the chances of you not hearing about the Japanese matcha powder are quite slim. It is easily one of the fastest-growing trends in the wellness and health industry. Of course, we are addressing only the western part of the world.
A proper example of just how popular it has become over the years is the skyrocketing sales in North America and Europe. Still, we feel that most people who are interested in buying this one do not have the right idea about how to use it. That’s why we want to provide our readers with a high-detail beginner’s guide.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the most relevant points regarding this product.
The Basics
Source: kromawellness.com
Before we dive deeper into the topic, we want to talk about this product and what it is. We are talking about a product made of Camellia sinesis leaves. Of course, people who produce this powder use the youngest leaves of the plant to use it for this one. Alongside this plant, we can see that green tea leaves are another ingredient.
That’s why you will see that matcha powder is frequently marketed as a green tea. However, we would like to point out that these two do not have too much in common. That doesn’t mean that this is a product that doesn’t have some beneficial features you can otherwise find while consuming green tea.
We are sure you have seen this product on a wide array of different health-food blogs out there. However, people are not aware of all the ways you can use this one. We’re sure that most didn’t know that you can use matcha powder as an alternative to flour, to make bread and cakes.
How to Use it?
When it comes to how you can use matcha powder, there are a couple of types to choose from. The first, and most widespread one out there is using it as a tea. Even though this doesn’t look like the average tea, and the preparation is a bit different, that doesn’t mean you will find it hard to do.
Besides tea, you can use it as a substitute for flour, as we’ve already mentioned before. Of course, the taste will be somewhat different from the average bread you have tried before. Still, this is not something that should make you hesitant about opting for this one as the bread you will make.
If you are looking for some other recipes you can use this powder for, then you will be glad to hear that there are a lot of different recipes you can find online. Thankfully, you will not need to spend a lot of time searching for these since they have become so popular that practically every food blog has one of them.
What are the Benefits?
Source: bonappetit.com
Now, we want to talk about the main benefits of using Japanese matcha powder.
1. Antioxidants and Vitamins
The first benefit of consuming Japanese matcha powder is it is filled with vitamins and antioxidants. The most prominent one you will find in this powder is known as catechins. Experts call this powder a mega dose of powerful antioxidants, which can help with reducing cell damage as much as possible.
When it comes to vitamins, the variety you will encounter is nothing short of exceptional. We are talking about practically all the major vitamins out there, A, B, C, E, etc. Therefore, you should not hesitate to consume this powder in any form, but the form you choose depends on your needs and preferences in order to live a healthier life.
2. Improves Cardiovascular Health
One of the major benefits of this powder is the improvement of cardiovascular health. One of the reasons why this is a possibility is the fact that it encompasses numerous compounds that help with this issue. Numerous research has provided proof for this claim. You can even see that this powder is included in certain therapies.
It helps with the prevention of the building up of plaque in the heart veins. Those who know about what this buildup means know just how problematic it can be since it can lead to severe problems associated with the heart.
3. Improves the Focus
Source: thesleepdoctor.com
A study conducted back in 2017 has shown that consuming Japanese matcha powder enhances the focus of an individual. The study says that people who participated in the study have tested positive for an increase in attention and processing speed. Scientists believe that the main reason is the energy-boosting compound known as epigallocatechin.
At the same time, nobody should be surprised about the fact that the consumer gets an influx of caffeine when consuming this powder in the form of tea. Thankfully, this is not an expensive product, and you can obtain it for around $5.
4. Cancer-fighting Effects
The final benefit we want to point out is the fact that Japanese matcha powder has numerous cancer-fighting properties. The study on this subject was done a couple of years ago, and we can see that it was found that it helps with the prevention of stomach cancer.
One of the major reasons why this is the truth is that it includes gallic acid. We are talking about the compound you can find in numerous cancer treatments. Therefore, there is absolutely no doubt that consuming matcha powder can help you with preventing cancer.
Summary
Learning about a certain ingredient before you use it is an absolute must, don’t you agree? Here, you can take a look at some of the most important things you should know about matcha powder. We are certain you will find this insight to be quite helpful in your future shopping.
