No more just a traditional Japanese tea: Why matcha is on the 2020 superfoods list
You might be forgiven for thinking this is the food that the Hulk loves.
In a bright shade of green, much like the superhero character, matcha
is a powdered form of green tea
that packs a powerful punch. It has a distinct taste — savoury and
nutty with a slight bitterness. A staple drink in Japan for decades, the
world has been waking up to the benefits of matcha in the present day.
The ingredient is also one of the superfoods to look forward to in 2020.
He re’s why it’s being seen as more than a brew...
Lends itself well to desserts
What was once just a tea, has moved into so much more. Today you find so many dishes made from matcha — from cakes to cookies, pies and puddings. A Dessert specialist says it’s valued not just for its health benefits, but also the unique flavour it packs. “Matcha has found its way across the world where it’s not only used for tea and beverages, but also found its way to mainstream dessert items. It’s got a very nutty taste and pairs really well with sugar, white chocolate and brings a very good balance to desserts. That’s why brown butter, berries or any kind of white chocolate goes very well with it. So, you will see a lot of matcha in cookies and cakes. I have made matcha macarons, bundt cakes and you can make matcha ice cream, too. Since it can get bitter, you need to be careful about how much you need use in a recipe; balance matters.”
Healthy fix
A Dietician who shared some tips on how to use matcha
(left), says, “Matcha is a newer fad in India. It’s a ground,
concentrated form of green tea, but unlike other forms, it can be used
in various dishes. It boosts metabolism and aids weight loss. If
regularly taken in the form of tea without sugar, it can lower blood
pressure and sugar levels. It’s got a mild caffeinated effect and can
give a pick-me-up effect. Matcha drink can improve focus and its
antioxidants boost heart health. It detoxifies you inside out.”
How to use
Art of Brewing it
Matcha
tea is an integral part of Japanese ceremonial tea. Says tea sommelier, “Matcha sure is catching up worldwide, but for Japan
it is only used on occasions like weddings and at important ceremonies.
In fact, in Japan, you also get a chocolate flavoured-matcha. The
ingredient works well for food recipes. Several hotel and fine dining
establishments order it here, and internationally, it is ordered by
chefs for desserts and food beverage recipes like frappes and puddings.”
She shares a few tips on how to brew and drink it:
Can reduce anxietyA study by researchers from Kumamoto University, Japan has found that consuming matcha powder or extract has calming effects.
137 times the antioxidants Powdered matcha tea has 137 times more antioxidants than regular brewed green tea, making it a nutritional powerhouse.
What was once just a tea, has moved into so much more. Today you find so many dishes made from matcha — from cakes to cookies, pies and puddings. A Dessert specialist says it’s valued not just for its health benefits, but also the unique flavour it packs. “Matcha has found its way across the world where it’s not only used for tea and beverages, but also found its way to mainstream dessert items. It’s got a very nutty taste and pairs really well with sugar, white chocolate and brings a very good balance to desserts. That’s why brown butter, berries or any kind of white chocolate goes very well with it. So, you will see a lot of matcha in cookies and cakes. I have made matcha macarons, bundt cakes and you can make matcha ice cream, too. Since it can get bitter, you need to be careful about how much you need use in a recipe; balance matters.”
Healthy fix
How to use
- Mix one teaspoon of matcha powder with spinach puree and use it as a curry.
- In masala ginger tea, mix ½ tea spoon of matcha and enjoy this drink to fight winter allergies and improve immunity.
- Simply add it to cookies and walnut cakes or nut-based energy laddoos and eat them post a meal.
- Make a smoothie out of it and have it as a post-workout drink.
- Avoid it if you have sleeping problems as matcha is very high on caffeine.
- Add one teaspoon of matcha powder to one glass water, one teaspoon of honey and one squeezed lemon.
- Have this powerful drink while travelling or at the workplace.
- You can also add matcha to buttermilk and have it as an in-between filler.
Art of Brewing it
She shares a few tips on how to brew and drink it:
- Matcha is best enjoyed pure, sans all the gimmicky flavours that come attached with it because that way you may be destroying all the benefits like vitamin C, antioxidants, etc that it has.
- When preparing the tea, you will need a chawan (bowl) and a chasen (bamboo whisk).
- To make it, shut the gas off on the first boil, and once the bubbles start to calm down, pour the liquid over the matcha powder. Use the whisk and go zigzag to ensure you get a frothy liquid.
- Sip away the same from the bowl itself.
- Matcha is usually paired with wagashi, a sweet, so as to balance out its bitter taste.
Can reduce anxietyA study by researchers from Kumamoto University, Japan has found that consuming matcha powder or extract has calming effects.
137 times the antioxidants Powdered matcha tea has 137 times more antioxidants than regular brewed green tea, making it a nutritional powerhouse.