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COFFEE, CONSIDER YOUR days numbered: Vibrant green and packed with health benefits, matcha is coming for your morning mug. But does matcha have as much caffeine as coffee? More or less, yes. A cup of this green tea has about the same amount of caffeine as a shot of espresso, plus a whole host of good-for-you perks. Studies show that matcha can improve brain function, fight off infection, boost energy without the caffeine crash, and even give you better skin. Furthermore, those prone to heartburn may find relief in matcha (or any tea, for that matter), which has less acidity than coffee.
Meet the experts: Asako Miyashita, RDN, is a nutritionist based in New York and a nutrition educator with 2nd.MD. Jenna Gorham, RD, is the founder of The RD Link, which connects health food companies with nutrition experts.
matcha green tea
Matcha is made from finely-ground tea leaves whisked into waterSITTHIPONG
What is matcha?
Matcha is a type of green tea, but it’s not the loose-leaf kind that you steep in hot water. Rather, it’s a powder made from young tea leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant (the same plant that black and oolong tea come from). When you drink matcha, you are actually consuming finely ground leaves whisked into water. As a result, the benefits you get from sipping matcha are much more amplified than from steeped green tea. These benefits might convince you to switch from your daily cup of joe to a matcha latte. Ahead, our editors and experts explain the many health benefits of matcha and the best ways to make it at home.
1. It’s loaded with antioxidants and vitamins.
Green tea contains a type of antioxidant called catechins, as well as another group called polyphenols. “Matcha powder offers a megadose of these powerful antioxidants, which can help reduce cell damage and prevent chronic disease,” explains nutritionist Jenna Gorham, RD, and founder of The RD Link.
Matcha also contains a variety of vitamins, including vitamin A, B, C, E, and K, says Asako Miyashita, RDN.
2. It might boost your skin’s glow.
