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You've seen it in stores, you've seen it at coffee and tea shops, but you may not be that familiar with matcha. It's just green tea, right? Well, yes and no. It's actually green tea turned up a notch!

So what exactly is Matcha?

Matcha is made from the leaves of the green tea plant (Camellia sinensis). It's cultivated using centuries-old farming techniques, where the leaves of the plant are partially covered from sunlight for several days to several weeks prior to harvest. This increases the chlorophyll content and gives the leaves their vibrant green hue. It also bumps up the amino acid content of the leaves, particularly L-theanine.

Once harvested, the leaves are steamed and air-dried; these leaves are called tencha. If the tea leaves are of superior quality, they are then de-stemmed, de-veined, and stone ground into a fine powder. This final product is matcha.

Matcha is traditionally used in the Japanese tea ceremony and is found in many other Asian dishes.

What are the health benefits of matcha?

Green tea has been hailed as an antioxidant-rich superfood, yet, a cup of green tea only captures a handful of the health benefits of the tea leaf. Since matcha is the entire tea leaf that can be dissolved in water or other liquids, you get all the healthful nutrients.

You'd have to drink ten cups of green tea to get the same benefits as one cup of matcha.

Matcha tea's antioxidant content blows other antioxidant powerhouses completely out of the water! It contains up to ten times the free radical-fighting power as superfoods like pomegranate, goji, and blueberries.  

Matcha is rich in a particular type of antioxidant called catechins, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), which help to combat free radical damage from stress, UV light, and other chemicals.

As previously mentioned, matcha is rich in amino acids, especially L-theanine. This amino acid promotes a sense of relaxation, calmness, and well-being. This may explain why Japanese monks would consume matcha during long periods of meditation to remain calm yet alert.

Matcha is also used in detoxification, due to its high chlorophyll content, and given it provides a calorie-free energy boost, it's used to promote weight loss.

How do I consume matcha?

Traditionally, matcha is served as tea, whisked in a bowl; the flavor is described as grassy and very intense. However, matcha can also be added to a latte, smoothie, or other blended drink. It can be mixed with cereals and yogurt in the morning, and it has been used to cook with in Japanese and Chinese cuisine for many generations. You can even use it in desserts, such as this awesome drizzle!

Choco-Matcha Drizzle

10 minutes

1 cup white chocolate chips

3 tbsp coconut oil

1 tbsp matcha powder

Vanilla ice cream

Black and white sesame seeds

In a microwave-safe bowl, heat white chocolate and coconut oil in 20-second intervals, whisking in between until melted and smooth. Whisk in matcha. Let cool for 5 minutes. Drizzle over ice cream; sprinkle with sesame seeds. Makes 1 cup. Keep refrigerated.

Recipe courtesy of rachael ray everyday

The turmeric-tahini sauce is liquid gold! It’s bright and lemony and adds a pop of flavor, making any dish feel special. Any chance you can get to add turmeric to your diet, do it! The active compounds in turmeric -- curcumin -- has amazing health benefits. 

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon lemon juice

½ tablespoon tahini

½ tablespoon water

½ garlic clove, minced

¼ teaspoon ground turmeric

Sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 ounces soba noodles

1/8 teaspoon sesame oil

4 to 6 kale leaves, chopped

2 red radishes, thinly sliced

½ medium carrot, peeled into ribbons (using a regular vegetable peeler)

3 ounces shelled edamame

½ teaspoon sesame seeds

¼ cup microgreens

Tamari, for serving

DIRECTIONS

1| In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, tahini, water, garlic, turmeric, and a generous pinch each of salt and pepper. Set aside.

2| Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Cook the soba noodles until al dente, following package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water, separating noodles with your hands. In a bowl, toss noodles with sesame oil; set aside.

3| Fill the same pot with an inch or two of water and place a steamer basket inside. Bring to a boil, then add the kale and a pinch of salt. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and steam until tender but still bright green, about 5 minutes.

4| Top noodles with kale, radishes, carrot ribbons, and edamame. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon sauce and top with sesame seeds and microgreens. Serve with remaining sauce and tamari.

Nutrition facts per serving: 523 calories, 24 g fat (3.3 g saturated), 63 g carbs, 23 g protein, 11 g fiber, 954 mg sodium

Recipe courtesy of Shape magazine