Matcha Tea

I love coffee.

As in, when I was debating what to give up for Lent, I thought of coffee and dismissed it because I cannot give up something that is essential to daily survival. 

I have it bad for coffee.

So much so that when I lived in England, I was there over half a year and never drank a single spot of tea.

I know.

So when someone suggested Matcha tea to me, I was skeptical. It is drank as a powder that you stir into hot or cold water instead of using leaves.

However, it is hard to argue with numbers…

A few other things about Matcha Tea:

1. Prevents Cancer: Green tea contains potent antioxidants called catechins, that are anti-carcinogenic.

2. Anti-Ager: Helps keep you young and healthy because of it’s ability to combat inflammation and oxidation.

3. Heart Disease Preventer: Helps lower LDL cholesterol. (Trust me, that’s a good thing).

4. Weight Loss: While I am not searching for weight loss, Matcha Tea has caffeine which makes it immediately gain points in my mind. Back to the weight thing though, it has catechins that increase thermogenesis or the rate at which the body burns calories.

5. Detoxifier: Matcha tea is grown in the shade, which makes it richer in chlorophyll than other green teas. (Meaning what gives leaves their green colour). Chlorophyll helps balance the body and is said to help clear the body of toxins, heavy metals, poisons, dioxins and hormone disrupters.

6. Fiber: Matcha green tea leaves contain a high level of easily-absorbable dietary fiber. And we all know why fibre is important!

7. Energy Booster: Yes! All the energy without the crash.

I tried Matcha for the first time before heading out on our family trip to Carriage Ridge Resort. I put the green powder in a cold, glass thermos and stirred in a zig zag pattern as the instructions suggested.

I tentatively eyed the green colour and inwardly repeated “Please don’t be disgusting!”

Of course, I made a grand production of the first sip and even got my mother to try it.

I liked it! Seriously.

Now, you are talking about the girl who takes down 2 TBS of apple cider vinegar followed by 1 TBS of fish oil each morning, but I genuinely enjoyed the tea which is a victory in tea world.

I now keep a bag at work and every day at the office at 3 pm is MATCHA TIME! I have wrangled a few others into the practice and I notice a change in my energy levels mid-afternoon.

Want to give it a try?

Swing by the Alternatives Office around 3 pm today and I will give you a sample. I keep a 1 kg bag of cheap economical Matcha at the office. I couldn’t find a picture, but while I was searching for one, I found out that they make Matcha KitKats.

Way to ruin the ENTIRE point of chocolate.

When I am feeling peckish or immensely refined, I reach for this:

Have you tried Matcha tea? If so, do you like it or not?

Have a wonderful day, everyone! I am off to eat some leftover Shrove Tuesday pancakes!