In the last few years, Matcha green tea has became one of the trendiest new super foods in the United States. Imported from Japan, Matcha is a unique tea that is a finely ground, powdered tea, and its meaning is actually powdered green tea.
Used in the traditional sense, some Matcha users drink the tea out of a ceramic bowl, which is how it’s done in the customary Japanese tea ceremony. But because Matcha is in powdered form, this green-hued tea can also be used to make other drinks and even added to numerous food recipes.
You don’t want to use just any kind of tea for your different cooking and consumption purposes, though. There are three commonly used types of Matcha green tea—regular, sweet and roasted—and each green tea type has its own unique purposes, as well as taste and health benefits.
Regular Matcha
Regular Matcha green tea has a rich, plant-like taste, but it also has a naturally semi-sweet taste to it.
This type of tea powder can be added to liquids and drank. Most prefer whisking or blending this powder into hot water or milk, but some add it into cold drinks as well. It’s also an easy, energizing addition to protein, pre-workout and fruit smoothies, and its rich flavor and bold green color likewise make it great for adding into many of your favorite cooking and baking recipes, such as shortbread cookies, a lemon loaf, waffles and more.
In regards to its health benefits, regular Matcha green tea has 137 times more antioxidants than regular green tea. Some of its other more prominent health benefits include increasing energy levels, stimulating and protecting the brain, improving concentration and focus, enhancing someone’s overall mood, stimulating metabolism and supporting weight-loss efforts.
Sweet Matcha
Like its name suggests, sweet Matcha combines the perfect amount of sweetness with the rich Matcha flavor.
Most Matcha users mix this green tea powder with hot water for a sweetened Matcha green tea drink or with ice water for a delicious sweetened iced tea. It’s also a great way to make Matcha flavored smoothies and lattes, while keeping the sugar levels of these treats low.
Sweet Matcha, which is a deep green color, is high in chlorophyll, L-theanine and antioxidants, and you’ll experience increased endurance and energy, heightened metabolism to aid in weight loss and improved focus and thinking when you drink it.
Roasted Matcha
For a smooth, mellow roasted flavored tea, you want roasted Matcha. This tea goes through a special extra production process, called roasting, to give it its distinct color and flavor.
Some Matcha lovers drink roasted Matcha during a hot summer day to cool them off. They mix it with water and ice for an enjoyable cold and healthy drink. It’s also the perfect side beverage during a meal, especially an oily or a greasy meal, because it clears your mouth after each drink.
Like the other Matcha types, roasted Matcha also has a high antioxidant count.
