“Matcha matcha man. I want to be a Matcha man…” Well, a
Matcha WOman for that matter. And I am! Matcha: It does a body good. Got
Matcha? I do. I’ve been a Matcha (wo)man for awhile now, but just discovered a
new brand called Got Matcha and I’m loving it. Matcha is a green tea from Japan
that has been called “the elixir of the immortals.” One sip of this stuff (bet
you can’t sip just one!) and you will understand why. Matcha can indeed make
you feel immortal. (Note: I said feel. You do not have nine lives nor can
you fly, even if your body thinks it can due to the energy provided by Matcha
powder. So please don’t Matcha and drive.)
Matcha tea is 10x stronger than “regular” green tea, it’s
packed with antioxidants, beta carotene,
l-theanine (an amino acid known to reduce stress and anxiety and
heighten mental clarity), catechins (for beautiful skin) and, yes, caffeine,
but not caffeine that causes a jittery-shaky sensation à la coffee. In fact,
Matcha has actually been known to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose
tolerance. Matcha also contains fiber and vitamins and minerals and boosts
metabolism so it can work both for those looking to lose weight or for those
with no appetites hoping to put on some pounds.
So, ready to dance the Matcha-rena? Just make sure your
Matcha is of the highest quality. Yes, like any luxury item, this means it may
be a bit more expensive than your average green tea, but remember, you’re
paying for quality, not quantity. Plus, a little bit goes a long way with
Matcha so that big bag or container you just bought will last for a long time.
Just ½ - 1 teaspoon per serving is all you need to reap Matcha’s benefits.
I
searched far and wide for a good quality, organic Matcha brand before
discovering Got Matcha. (OK, that sounds like I hiked through the mountains of
Japan with an old man with a beard for days with a backpack filled with nori
sheets and no material possessions. To be honest, by “far and wide,” I really
meant from the comfort of my own home perusing the web and visiting pretty much
every organic market in the tri-state area. Though a little old Japanese man
and a remote mountain do sound like fun.)
Matcha is perfect as a hot winter tea, whisked in
traditional Japanese fashion. Or, you can give it a modern twist by adding it
to your favorite smoothies, juices or desserts. Unlike most brewed teas, Matcha
contains the whole leaf.
Here is my new favorite morning green smoothie recipe using
Got Matcha’s amazing Matcha powder for the perfect energy kick to start the day
whether you’re entering a sumo wrestling competition, taking the kids to school
or heading off to work.
Matcha Morning
Momentum Milkshake
½ - 1 teaspoon of Matcha powder
1 banana
1/2 avocado
1 apple, chopped
1 pear, chopped
2 heaping cups of leafy greens (your choice: kale, romaine,
chard, spinach, etc.)
¼ teaspoon of vanilla powder
½ teaspoon of fresh ginger (or to taste, I usually like a
bit more for an extra spicy anti-inflammatory kick)
The juice of 1 lemon
½ cup of coconut water
Mix all ingredients together in a blender (preferably a
Vitamix) until creamy. If you like your smoothies a bit less thick, just add
more liquid.
Got Matcha also makes several Matcha powder blends sweetened
only with Stevia and coconut nectar including Matcha caramel-apple, Matcha
Chai, Matcha Mint, Matcha Pumpkin Spice and Matcha Cacao. I haven’t tried all
of the flavors yet, but as for the ones I have, so far, so delicious! (Special
mention to the Matcha Chai – literally it’s to chai for. And the caramel apple really does taste like a caramel apple!) It’s great that they
use natural sweeteners and don’t drown the delicious taste of Matcha and spices
with horrors like agave nectar like many other “organic” companies. They even
sell a bamboo whisk set for a more traditional Matcha tea experience.
Here’s a great recipe for a cold winter day for an
untraditional, yet delicious, take on Matcha as the ancient Japanese warriors
consumed it.
Matcha Smoothie on ice - it's snow delicious!
Hot Matcha Milkshake
1 teaspoon of Matcha Chai powder
OR
1 teaspoon of Matcha powder
¼ teaspoon of vanilla powder
1 cup of almond milk (made with almonds, coconut water and
rained through a nut milk bag)
1 Medjool date
A pinch of cinnamon
Mix all ingredients together in a blender (Vitamix!) until
frothy, then add to a saucepan and warm slowly over low heat. Drink, by the
fire, with your favorite old Japanese man.
Juice all vegetables then add the Matcha powder and whisk together.
