Everything you need to know about matcha: benefits, uses, etc.

Matcha is a form of powdered green tea produced from tea leaves that are briefly steamed after harvesting, dried and then traditionally ground in a granite mill. The traditional way of growing Japanese green tea is to cover the tea bushes to protect the leaves from direct sunlight for most of the growing period. Only high quality young tea leaves are selected and steamed immediately to prevent oxidation.

This process allows the plant to produce higher quantities of amino acids and bioactive compounds such as chlorophyll and theanine, giving matcha tea its characteristic intense green colour and bitter-free flavour.

Matcha has a unique and distinctive flavour, often described as herbal, with grassy notes and a slight bitterness. Its flavour profile depends very much on the quality of the matcha. High-quality matcha, often reserved for ceremonial use, is milder, slightly sweet with an umami aftertaste, a rich flavour reminiscent of broth or mushrooms. In contrast, lower quality matchas can have a more bitter or astringent taste. The sweetness and intensity of the flavour can also vary depending on how it is prepared: the more concentrated the powder, the more intense the flavours.

Compared to other green teas, when you drink a matcha beverage you consume the whole crushed leaf and therefore benefit from more nutrients than when you drink a green tea prepared from the infusion of the leaves. For example, one study shows that a drink made from powdered tea contains 3 times more epigallocatechin gallate than a tea made from infused leaves[40]. Matcha tea is therefore packed with antioxidants.

Thanks to its caffeine content, matcha is revitalising and energising. And it does so without the stimulating effects of coffee, because the theanine it contains balances out the effect of caffeine.

Finally, matcha can help you with your slimming programme thanks to its bioactive compounds, some of which have been shown to be effective in weight loss.

Feel free to incorporate matcha powder into your recipes: its delicate, herbaceous, bitter-free flavour will give your recipes a unique taste.

Matcha tea has many virtues due to its composition and powder form. In particular, it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Specific components of matcha such as catechins, caffeine and theanine have been linked in scientific studies to multiple health benefits. Caffeine can help with weight and fat loss[1], catechins can reduce fasting blood sugar levels[2], and theanine combined with caffeine leads to significant improvements in cognitive function[3].

Multiple studies have reported the benefits of caffeine on cognitive performance and alertness[4],[5]. Theanine, for its part, could have a positive influence on neurogenesis and cognitive function[6],[7]. The catechins present in green tea are thought to have a neuroprotective effect against neurological disorders[8],[9] in particular by improving certain cognitive disorders.

After 12 weeks of daily intake, green tea catechins showed a beneficial effect on working memory in a randomised controlled trial[11]. And epidemiological studies suggest an association between green tea consumption and a lower risk of developing cognitive disorders[12],[13]. Another study[14] reported that daily consumption of 2g of matcha improved cognitive function, particularly attention, in young adults under mild stress. Other trials also suggest the beneficial effect of matcha tea on certain cognitive performances[15]. In particular, a randomised controlled trial showed that matcha tea supplementation had protective effects against cognitive decline in the elderly[16].

In a trial involving 39 students, taking 3 grams of matcha a day for 15 days reduced stress and the anxiety that goes with it[17] more effectively than a placebo. In particular, the theanine it contains has relaxing properties[18] and anti-stress effects, as highlighted by multiple studies [19],[20].

One study highlights the fact that taking matcha helps to reduce the metabolic disorders induced by a high-fat diet. More especially, matcha has a beneficial effect on lipid profile and blood sugar levels[21] and also improves antioxidant status. Another study[22] confirms these beneficial effects and shows that matcha tea reduces the hepatic build-up of lipids caused by a high-fat diet. matcha tea also reduces the inflammation and oxidative stress induced by obesity[23],[24] two phenomena that increase the risk of chronic disease.

All these factors suggest that matcha tea could be a genuinely effective solution for cardiometabolic health thanks to the bioactive compounds it contains[25].

Matcha tea contains compounds that have been shown to be effective in helping you lose weight. For example, matcha is rich in catechins, which may help to reduce body fat[28], particularly abdominal fat[29]. Researchers have suggested that catechins play a protective role against obesity[30], thanks in part to their ability to promote thermogenesis[31], increase energy expenditure and reduce intestinal absorption of lipids. High doses of a green tea extract - epigallocatechin gallate - taken for 12 weeks resulted in significant weight loss[32].

Drinking matcha tea enabled women to burn more fat during a 30-minute brisk walk[33]. In this study, the participants drank matcha tea 3 times the day before exercise and once 2 hours before. Each drink was prepared with 1 gram of matcha tea.

Matcha tea could therefore help with weight loss as part of a diet and regular physical activity, but there are not enough clinical trials to date to be able to conclude whether it is really effective.

to make a hot matcha drink, simply disperse a teaspoon of matcha powder into hot but not boiling water (75°C). Ideally, use a matcha bowl, called a chawan, and a bamboo whisk, called a chasen, to obtain a frothy, smooth mixture.

This very simple recipe is a delicious way to enjoy matcha tea. We recommend our matcha tea latte recipe. To vary things a bit you can use plant milk such as coconut milk, almond milk, etc.

Combined with apple, cucumber and mint, matcha tea is a great way to round off this fresh, detox drink. Discover the recipe here.

For breakfast, you can try our matcha tea pancakes recipe: it's delicious for the taste buds and looks so appealing! You'll enjoy the benefits of matcha tea first thing in the morning.

Discover a delicious way to enjoy the benefits of matcha in this light dessert recipe with vanilla and speculoos.

For all your matcha tea recipes and drinks, we recommend our organic matcha green tea from Japan.