So what is all the hype about you ask? Well… This popular green powder just like green tea is from the Camellia sinensis plant however it is grown differently and has a unique nutrient profile (greater amount of caffeine and antioxidants than green tea). The way farmers grow matcha is by covering their tea plants 20–30 days before harvest to avoid direct sunlight. This results in increase chlorophyll production and boosts the amino acid content, as well as giving the plant a darker green hue. The stems and veins are then removed and ground up into marvellous matcha powder.

There are various studies illustrating the benefits of Matcha and its components, showing that it can help protect the liver, promote heart health, and even aid in weight loss.

Reference

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19597519

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3614697/

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26448271

4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9455677

5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11500915/

6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22992376

7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25761837

8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15723227