Let’s talk matcha. You’ve probably heard of this superpower green tea by now and chance are you have even tried it. If, however, you are late to the party, fear not! Today’s post will get you up to speed and may even put you ahead of the game because I’m not only sharing my favorite matcha, but also why it’s so damn healthy and how to choose the best quality matcha for your drinking (and bio-hacking) pleasure.

This green tea is one of my favorite pick me ups and if you haven’t tried it yet let me tell you, you have been missing out! From flavor to health benefits this powerhouse tea packs a punch. Unsure? Keep reading. I’m covering all the good stuff including how to select the best matcha for health benefits and flavor. By the end of this post you’ll be heading to the store (or your favorite shopping page) to grab yours and take your self care routine to the next level.

Believe it or not all matcha is not created equal. There are several factors that can affect the quality of matcha, including where it is grown and harvesting practices (ProTip: always opt for Japanese matcha over Chinese). I’ve experimented with several brands and one thing I know for sure - it’s worth the extra dough to get the good stuff. This isn’t to say that there aren’t high quality less expensive brands available. I simply haven’t found any. So, you can plan to spend at least $20 for the good stuff and while this may seem like a lot for a little container of tea, it really does go a long way. Besides that, the health benefits will be more abundant, and you’ll actually want to drink it, which in my opinion is a pretty important detail. Don’t believe me? I’m a full blown matcha enthusiast and even I have purchased a few brands that ended up in the trash due to shitty quality. Forgive me for not wanting to drink a tea with the flavor profile of seaweed and dirt.

So, if matcha isn’t supposed to taste like a mouthful of your last beach excursion, what exactly can you expect? Quality matcha should be bright in flavor, with a hint of sweetness, and a smidge earthiness. It’s high in chlorophyll so if you’ve taken those tablets or used it in a smoothie you can draw a comparison in the notes of the tea. Some people even experience a slight bitterness in the profile. While matcha can be a bit bitter, this should not be overpowering. If it is, the quality is not good or the matcha has gone bad. Also, I like to accentuate matcha’s natural flavor profile with spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and clove. I really feel these flavors highlight the tea’s natural sweetness and round out the umami experience you get from the amino acids in the tea.

Another indicator of matcha quality is color. When this form of tea is grown appropriately and harvested at its peak nutritional phase it will appear bright green in color. If it has a brownish tint or looks dull rest assured it is not a quality product. As I mentioned above, matcha contains chlorophyll which, in this concentration, adds to its vibrant color. If matcha looks anything less than bright and beautiful the leaves were past their prime (meaning less nutritional benefit) and/or it contains stems and branches. Neither of these factors will produce the pleasant flavor, upgraded performance, and health benefits we’re after. I mean, if we’re going to spend this kind of money on tea we want the most from it, right?! And speaking of performance, what exactly can you expect from this beautifully bright, whole leaf, green tea? Well, now that you know how to select your matcha, I’ll get to it.

Sustained energy. I decided to try matcha when I was low on energy and heard it had longer lasting effects than coffee without the jitters. Knowing that caffeine has a negative effect on me (I’m talking full body sweats and a crash from hell) I was a bit hesitant at first. However, after researching I learned that matcha contains less caffeine than coffee (1 tsp has about 1/4 - 1/5 the caffeine of a cup of coffee) and has a slower absorption rate than other forms of caffeine. This is because it also contains a natural amino acid, L-Theanine (remember that umami flavor?), that combines with the caffeine and causes it to metabolize more slowly. So, besides making it easier to tolerate for those of us who are caffeine sensitive, this process is also responsible for the 4-6 hours of sustained energy you get from matcha, rather than a sharp spike and crash you may experience with coffee. After learning all of this I thought I’d give it a try. The results were amazing. I noticed that I felt energized for hours without feeling shaky or having a crash later in the day - just what I needed.

Mental clarity and alertness. While any form of caffeine is thought to increase cognitive function, in my experience matcha takes it to the next level. Maybe this is because researchers are now saying green tea enhances working memory and, when drinking matcha you ingest the entire tea leaf, meaning you get even more of these cognitive enhancing benefits than from other forms of the stimulant. It also seems the sustained release of caffeine would offer greater cognitive function benefits for an extended period of time. If that’s not enough to tickle your fancy, another benefit of matcha is that it’s known for inducing feelings of mental calm and focus and, in my experience, mental calm most definitely supports clearer thinking and better decision making capabilities. As a side note, Buddhist monks use it as a part of their meditation practice for these same reasons.

Boosted metabolism. Studies show that drinking matcha increases thermogenesis. That is the rate at which we burn calories. So, while drinking matcha won’t replace the gym it will increase energy production and may help you shed a few pounds if that’s your thing.

Enhanced antioxident power. Matcha takes fighting free radicals to the next level. This tea contains a unique class of antioxidants called catechins that are thought to be even more potent than other antioxidants. In particular, matcha contains a catechin called epigallocatechin (EGCg) that has cancer fighting properties at nearly 100 times that of other sources. So yeah, drink up.

Fiber. Need I say more?

Happy thoughts. L-theanine isn’t only good for slowing caffeine absorption, it also aids in the production of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that regulate mood. Cheers to feeling happy!

Now that we’ve covered the many benefits of matcha I’ll share my favorite way to prepare. While matcha can be added to smoothies and baked goods, I love cozying up and enjoying mine from a favorite mug, Bulletproof style. Besides all the natural benefits of matcha, this gives me extra energy from ketones, the healing properties of essential oils (if you’re dealing with pain Copaiba is a MUST), and the health benefits that come along with intermittent fasting (IF). On non-IF days I add grass-fed collagen (I prefer Bulletproof brand) to support joints, gut health, and improve skin elasticity. Since I’m caffeine sensitive I began with 1/2 tsp matcha in 8-10 ounces of water to see how I’d do. I now sometimes use up to 3/4 - 1 tsp matcha in 14-16 ounces of water, depending on how I feel. The best matcha is one that is tailored to your personal taste and tolerance level. So play around with it until you find your perfect mix!

My recipe.

3/4 - 1 tsp Matcha (I like Mighty Leaf and Numi)

14 - 16 ounces Filtered Water

1 - 1.5 TBSP Grass-Fed Butter or Ghee

3/4 TBSP Brain Octane Oil

Clove Essential Oil

Copaiba Essential Oil

Frankincense Essential Oil

Add matcha, butter, brain octane, desired amount of cinnamon and cardamom, and one drop essential oils of choice to blender. Bring water to a near boil (if it gets too hot allow to cool slightly so not to burn the tea, 180 degrees is optimal temp). Pour hot water over ingredients in blender. Blend until frothy.

Variations: Add a scoop of grass-fed collagen for added protein and health benefits. Switch up the essential oils for your individual taste and health needs. Add a scoop of coconut butter for an extra creamy treat. Replace some (or all) of the water with almond or coconut milk for a latte version. Use less fat if having issues with gastroparesis and increase as you heal.

I hope you found this post helpful on your quest for greater vitality and joy. Remember, life is meant for living. So experiment, try new things, and most importantly enjoy! Perhaps, one matcha at a time. XOXO ~Amanda