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Matcha has become the latest trend among health-conscious people, foodies, celebrities and tea drinkers. Matcha is known for inducing a calm energy boost without the anxiety and irritability of coffee. Although Matcha has been consumed for centuries, it has only recently begun to be consumed in the West as the new healthy drink. Matcha shops are popping up in cities from New York to London, and celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Cameron Diaz and Ashley Olsen are drinking this healthy green tea.
Research has suggested a host of health benefits from drinking matcha, including regulation of cholesterol, blood sugar and blood fats, as well as protection against kidney damage. Some studies also suggest that matcha may prevent age-related cognitive decline, reduce the risk of stroke and diabetes, keep blood pressure under control, strengthen bones and help prevent several forms of cancer. In addition to the long list of health benefits, 1 teaspoon of Matcha gives a focused, calm energy boost that lasts longer than coffee and has none of coffee's side effects.
As if all that weren't incentive enough to try Matcha, it is also delicious. So delicious, in fact, that you can find a matcha recipe for almost any food, from bread to cupcakes. Health-conscious people choose Matcha for its health benefits, while foodies are fans of its flavor.
With more than 1 million posts on Instagram, #matcha is a testament to its growing popularity, highlighting the hundreds of ways food lovers are enjoying and experimenting with their favorite ingredient. Those who love Matcha are not only replacing coffee with matcha, but are trying it in everything from desserts and pastries to juices and smoothies. The fact that not all incarnations of matcha are completely healthy (some are frankly not low in calories) attests to the fact that matcha's deliciousness is independent of its health benefits. Matcha has plenty of health benefits, but what makes matcha foods delicious is matcha's versatile, subtly sweet and savory flavor that the Japanese refer to as "umami".
As an ingredient, culinary-grade matcha can add a unique flavor to a variety of recipes since it complements almost any other food. As a tea or a drink made only with Matcha, however, there are different qualities of matcha and many ways to prepare it.
There are plenty of reasons to love matcha. Many people are drawn to its vibrant green color, sweet taste, health benefits and energy boost, but they are also drawn to the Japanese ritual. Matcha exploded in popularity in the West very quickly, and many avid Matcha drinkers love to prepare it the traditional way by whisking it at home, and the ritual is part of the fun. Preparing matcha requires active participation in measuring and whisking. The preparation lends itself to a moment of focused meditation, which is the reason Buddhist monks created meditation rituals while preparing matcha centuries ago.
Matcha may be the most modern fuel for our hectic lives, but people across Asia have been drinking it for centuries, making matcha both the latest health trend and an ancient tradition. This is great news for those who are reluctant to jump on the new healthy trend. While Matcha may be the drink of the moment, it has already proven to be much more than a passing fad.