"But I already drink green tea" is a common response when I ask people if they've ever tried matcha. It's not the same.
Tea - as we know and prepare it both in Asia and in western countries - is usually made by pouring almost boiling water on dried, fermented leaves and allowing it to steep. Then we throw the tea leaves away! (hopefully into the compost). Matcha tea is a different concept and a whole other taste-nutrient experience.
Matcha is a non-fermented green tea made by grinding the whole dried young tea leave into a very fine powder. Tea leaves destined to become matcha are shade grown, which increases high chlorophyll and L-theanine production. The iridescent green colour is completely natural! Unlike "normal" tea, matcha powder is mixed with water and consumed in its entirety. Let's just colloquially say it's all the goodness and taste of tea, on steroids.
Traditionally it is whisked with a bamboo tea whisk, and served in a clay bowl. Like this.
Our western tastes have built on this basic idea, and it's now quite common to see matcha latte (with soy, almond and coconut milks, as well as the dairy kind), matcha frappes and all sorts of other combinations. If you missed my Chaseki Tea House post yesterday, you will have missed the fact that I have a new favourite healthy go-to drink: fresh green coconut water blended with Japanese matcha.
Apart from the bio-available iron and electrolytes in the coconut water, it's just a SERIOUS natural medicine hit of both chlorophyll and the amino-acid, L-theanine.
Chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants which enables them to convert the sun's energy into carbohydrates through the process of photosynthesis. We hear it endlessly, Eat Your Greens. But why? The simplest and shortest answer is that chlorophyll helps us to build blood, and carries magnesium at the center of the molecule - something our bodies NEED for most chemical reactions, and for healing. Healthy blood is the basis for our life-force, our health and our strength. Chlorophyll is also incredibly important in the cellular clean-up processes - removing toxins and damaged cells.
Eating greens should be a multiple-times-daily event, but for many it's not. The temptation to buy a bottle of liquid chlorphyll is real. But it has its dangers if over-used, as it forces the body into an extreme detox reaction which can give symptoms like diarrhea, fatigue, headache and loss of energy.
When we consume WHOLE FOODS they naturally contain the other compounds our bodies need to process them. One matcha tea is more than enough to give your body a huge blood-building, clean up dose of chlorophyll while maintaining balance and avoiding extreme detox reactions. The electrolytes in the coconut water help to balance this process too.
L-Theanine
L-Theanine is an amino acid primarily found in tea leaves, but aso in some mushrooms.
L-theanine promotes relaxation and facilitates sleep by contributing to a number of changes in the brain:
- Boosts levels of GABA and other calming brain chemicals. L-theanine elevates levels of GABA, as well as serotonin and dopamine. These chemicals are known as neurotransmitters, and they work in the brain to regulate emotions, mood, concentration, alertness, and sleep, as well as appetite, energy, and other cognitive skills. Increasing levels of these calming brain chemicals promotes relaxation and can help with sleep.
- Lowers levels of “excitatory” brain chemicals. At the same time it is increasing chemicals that promote feelings of calm, L-theanine also reduces levels of chemicals in the brain that are linked to stress and anxiety. This may also be a way that L-theanine can protect brain cells against stress and age-related damage.
- Enhances alpha brain waves. Alpha brain waves are associated with a state of “wakeful relaxation.” That’s the state of mind you experience when meditating, being creative, or letting your mind wander in daydreaming. Alpha waves are also present during REM sleep. L-theanine appears to trigger the release of alpha-waves, which enhances relaxation, focus, and creativity. One of the appealing aspects of L-theanine is that it works to relax without sedating. That can make L-theanine a good choice for people who are looking to enhance their “wakeful relaxation,” without worrying about becoming sleepy and fatigued during the day. Source.
Those changes to brain function result in:
- Better sleep, which means better tissue repair and faster natural healing;
- Reduced stress responses in the body, which over time means reduced toxic cortisol;
- Better attention, concentration, memory and learning.
The combination of high dose natural chlorophyll and L-Theanine in one simple, elegant and delicious drink? Natural medicine magic.
But there's more.
Green matcha tea contains a serious dose of specific polyphenols knowns at Catechins, specifically EGC and EGCG. These catechins are naturally occuring antioxidants that help prevent cell damage and reduce the formation of free radicals in the body. Basically, they protect cells and molecules from damage. Hence matcha tea is known as a profound anti-aging food.
But here's where it gets REALLY interesting. EGC and EGCG have been extensively studied in cancer therapy and been shown to make the cells more receptive to chemotherapy. Source. If you're sick and having chemotherapy, a daily matcha tea should be on your radar.
For me, better natural health means better daily choices. And if I look at all the evidence about matcha tea, I KNOW I need to be adding an elegant matcha tea to my life and my diet when I can.
Make sure your matcha tea is organic and not just regular tea with food colouring added. It's not cheap but you don't need much - you just need quality and you need it regularly. In Chiang Mai, head over to Chaseki at the North Gate, or their new Chaseki Tea House in Hang Dong - support local business and support your own vibrant & better health.
Feeling informed, nourished & blessed in my Thai natural world.
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