You have probably been seeing this green drink flooding your explore and for you pages and wondering what it truly is. Not only has matcha become extremely popular, but it is also beneficial for health and a great caffeine alternative.
While it is just now becoming a household staple and something many people are drinking, matcha has been around since the 7th-10th century, originating in China and later brought to Japan, where it was further popularized. Essentially, matcha is a finely grounded powder made from Japanese green tea leaves. Through its intricate production process, this tea is packed with antioxidants and can provide a sustained and calm boost of energy. In its cultivation, the tea leaves are hand-picked, steamed, dried, and then finely milled into an ultrafine powder. Because you are essentially consuming the entire green tea leaf, several nutritional benefits come alongside this green powder. Matcha contains a unique combination of caffeine paired with L-theanine, which promotes calm alertness and energy, improved attention, better memory, and temporary metabolism-boosting factors. Abby Reddick (12) enjoys the benefits of matcha each morning and notes, “ .”
When drinking matcha, it is also important to note the different grades, as they will affect the overall taste of the drink. Ceremonial grade matcha is the highest quality made from the youngest leaves, and is usually the most expensive. This grade of matcha has a natural, subtle sweetness and is what is typically served at restaurants and cafes. Ceremonial grade may come with a higher price tag, but the quality makes it worth it. For a more affordable route, culinary-grade matcha offers a bolder and slightly more bitter taste. This grade can be good for smoothies, baked goods, and ice cream. Whether you choose to buy ceremonial or culinary grade matcha, the benefits still remain the same.
Despite the many benefits of matcha, it truly hasn’t become “hyped up” until now. This is likely due to the aesthetic appeal of this drink, with its vibrant green color attracting influencers. In addition, many fitness and lifestyle influencers began promoting this drink to the mainstream Western market, marking the beginning of this green drink’s fame.
Ultimately, matcha’s explosion in popularity traces back longer than just another social media trend. The vibrant colors and aesthetic appeal of this drink may help with its fame, but its health benefits and unique energy boost are what keep people intrigued. Kennedy Conrad (12) shares that she “found out about matcha on TikTok, but now I’ve loved it so much that I’ve switched it with my normal iced coffee!”
