Matcha

what is matcha?

matcha is 100% top quality organic ground green tea leaves

we like to think of it as a sort of Superhero amongst teas, as it’s a super concentrated green tea powder that’s packed with antioxidants and nutrients.

teapigs genuine matcha comes from the renowned Nishio region in Japan, where the tea leaves are grown under cover to produce lots of amino acids and chlorophyll (the bright green good stuff). The leaves are then dried and very slowly ground by granite to a very fine powder, which is then packed and sealed immediately, so as to lock in all the nutrients.

super healthy

This little Superhero contains 137 times the antioxidants of regular green tea (wow!). Like all green tea, matcha naturally contains caffeine but unlike coffee, it works together with two important amino acids to give you a sustained energy lift whilst keeping you calm and providing a healthy metabolism boost. It also elevates your mood which is why we teapigs are always smiling! More on matcha health benefits.

super power

In Japan matcha has been drunk as part of the tea ceremony for 900 years and it's drunk by Buddhist monks to keep them alert, awake and focussed during days of meditation. Until recently, virtually all matcha has been consumed within Japan (it's particularly popular there amongst students cramming for exams). Matcha is getting big in the States too, where you'll find it in cafes, health shops and smoothie bars and we know of a good few celebrities that live on the stuff - Eva Longoria, Dannii Minogue, Gwenyth Paltrow to name but a few.

matcha health benefits

summary

just 1/4 teaspoon matcha (1g) = 15 cups of regular green tea

70 times the antioxidants of orange juice

90 times the beta carotene of spinach

vitamins A, B and C

drinking matcha can

Help boost metabolism

Raise energy

Elevate mood

Be anti-angeing

Help prevent heart disease

How to drink matcha

the traditional way

If you attend a tea ceremony in Japan, you'll find matcha whisked up with hot water using a bamboo whisk

the teapigs way

We like to keep things simple and tasty at teapigs and because matcha is so versatile (it can be added to juice, smoothies, milk, water, yoghurt, cereal...), we recommend -

frequently asked questions on matcha

Q. How much caffeine does matcha contain?

A.The caffeine content of a 1g serving of matcha is 34mg. This is less than an average cup of coffee. A regular cup of coffee contains 70 - 180mg of caffeine whilst the caffeine content in tea ranges from 15 - 45mg per cup across white, green and black teas. Experts consider 200-300mg of caffeine a day to be a moderate amount for adults.

Q. What is the recommended daily amount of matcha?

A. We recommend 1g of matcha per day - that's approx 1/4 teaspoon

Q. Can i drink more than 1 cup of matcha per day?

A. We recommend that you drink 1g of matcha per day - that's 1/4 teaspoon. There is no known matcha dose limit - although Hannah the resident nutritionist tells us that there is a limit to the amount of goodness our bodies can absorb so 1-2 servings per day seems sensible.

Q. Can I drink matcha at night or will it keep me awake?

A. We recommend taking matcha in the morning. Matcha contains some caffeine (less than a cup of coffee) and an amino acid called L-theanine which works with the caffeine to give you a slow release of energy for up to 8 hours (rather than the harsh spike in energy that you can get with coffee). Since it gives you energy, it may not be advisable to take before sleeping.

Q. Can you drink matcha hot?

A. Yes, you can make matcha as a hot drink but to ensure you get all the health benefits, use water that is 70 degress (rather than boiling). If you don't have a temperature control kettle, turn the kettle off before the water boils fully. Use a milk frother or whisk to diffuse the matcha into the water to make a lovely, thick and frothy tea.