Matcha literally means “powdered tea” and it is a bright emerald-green tea powder. It is a finely milled green tea powder that was the staple ingredient in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies in the twelfth century. It is packed with healthy benefits and has a soothing distinct flavor. Matcha leaves are grown in several places, but the best comes from Japan and the most popular growing places are in the southern part of the country like Uji, Nishio, and Shizuoka. Touted as the highest quality powdered green tea available, the nutrient-rich young leaves are handpicked from the tips of the shade-grown Camellia sinensis plants. After being steamed and stemmed they are stone-ground into a delicate powder and stored away from direct sunlight and oxygen to preserve the color and antioxidant properties. When you are drinking matcha tea you are ingesting the entire leaf and receiving 100% of the nutrients in the leaf. That’s right, you are getting the more potent source of nutrients than regular green tea.
What are the benefits of matcha green tea?
It is high in antioxidants, which aid in fighting against UV radiation. It boosts memory, concentration, energy levels, and endurance. All green teas naturally contain caffeine, but since one is consuming the entire leaf, you may get three times as much caffeine than a regular cup of steeped tea, about the amount in a cup of brewed coffee. Drinking matcha tea has been shown to increase metabolism and help burn fat along with having detoxing abilities. The young leaves are deprived of sunlight early on and this increases the chlorophyll production. This is its brilliant green color and it becomes a powerful detoxifier naturally removing heavy metals and chemical toxins from the body.
Matcha green tea for hair
It is packed with antioxidants, polyphenols, and EGCg, so it is no wonder we are discussing what it can do for your tresses. It contains vitamin B also known as panthenol and by drinking the tea or applying it to your scalp matcha green tea helps to strengthen the hair. Many who drink the tea have found it to make their hair softer, shinier, and thicker. There is a hair growth mechanism with matcha green tea, so people suffering from genetic alopecia have found it to be beneficial according to an article published in the Phytomedicine Journal.
Matcha green tea is also loaded with amino acids, which are building blocks for protein needed for hair growth, repair, recovery, and immunity. It also soothes scalp ailments like dandruff and psoriasis. Whether you drink it or apply it directly to your scalp and tresses, this green tea is a wonder to try.
Nourishing hair tea butter
Mix finely ground matcha tea with either shea butter or coconut oil to create a butter consistency. Apply to scalp and massage gently. Allow to sit for at least 30 min. before rinsing out and styling as usual.
Here are a few products with the magical match green tea already in them if DIY is not for you: Belle Butters Shea And Matcha Green Tea Butter and Aubrey Organics Green Tea Conditioner.
