Powdered green tea (抹茶 matcha)

Do you know “matcha”? Matcha (powdered green tea) is one of green tea which is famous in Japan.

Tea has been enjoyed drinking since b.c. 2700. At first, tea was used as one of Chinese medicines. Tea was spread by Japanese envoys to Tang Dynasty China in Japan. Matcha is originated from Eisai. He established the method of drinking matcha. In this method, people added powder of tea into warm water and mixed. After that, this drinking method was spread to all over Japan.

Matcha has many good points because when make matcha, tea-leaf is grinded into powder and whole powder is used. I’d like to show you 5 points.

1.Prevent obesity
Tea-leaf highly contains catechin, and this catechin has effect to burn body fat, so it is good for prevention of obesity and dieting.

2.Antiaging
Catechin has a role of removing active oxygen, which is cause of aging, so matcha is good for skin care.

3.Prevent dementia
Matcha contains caffeine. Caffeine has effect to activate the cerebrum, and this effect is good for prevention of dementia.

4.Beautiful skin
Matcha contains vitamin C. Vitamin C works with catechin as inhibition of melanin pigment.

5.Prevent teeth from decaying
Matcha contains fluorine compound, so matcha has breath odor eliminating effect.

Nishio (Aichi) and Uji (Kyoto) are famous for production areas of matcha. The taste and flavor of matcha are different in each production area.

Matcha is used not only for drinking but also for flavor of some sweets. In addition, matcha is adopted to Western style meals. I’d like to show you some examples which matcha is used for sweets.

This is matcha zenzai (matcha flavor red bean soup). Matcha and red bean are compatible, so these are often used for Japanese sweets.

This is matcha latte. Matcha is also compatible with milk. Other than something to drink, like matcha latte, sweets which flavor is milk with matcha are on sale (such as candy, ice cream, and so on).

This is a French toast of matcha. Now, French toast and pancake are popular sweets among young people in Japan. Thanks to incorporate matcha in these sweets, matcha has been familiar to young generation.

I hope you enjoy drinking and eating matcha when you come to Japan!!

Reference
https://www.matcha.co.jp/index.html
http://www.ippodo-tea.co.jp/index.html