You may have enjoyed a matcha latte, perhaps even tried straight matcha tea, but there are many unexpected ways you could be putting this antioxidant powerhouse to use for you and your health, both inside and out.
What is Matcha?
For those who have not explored this new health trend, matcha is a unique green tea from Japan. The plants are grown under shade, hand-picked early in the spring, and stone-ground to preserve the powerful antioxidants and chlorophyll. Matcha has about 10 times the antioxidants of regular green tea. It has a sweeter, milder flavor than full sun varieties of this green superfood, especially ceremonial grades. Matcha also boosts focus and concentration, making it uniquely helpful.
Matcha Health Benefits
Rich in antioxidants, chlorophyll, and L-Theanine, matcha provides some pretty amazing health benefits. Increased focus, long-term energy, free radical protection, detoxification, cholesterol control, metabolism boosts, and enhanced mood are just a few of the things this tea can do for you.
Matcha for the Outside
Bath Time – Add a sprinkle of matcha to your tub, along with Epsom salt, for a soothing, relaxing, and energizing bath. Antioxidants protect skin from damage, chlorophyll detoxes and deodorizes, caffeine invigorates, and L-Theanine calms body and mind. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil or light a candle to make it even more enjoyable.
Body Scrub – Get the benefits of matcha with exfoliation. Mix matcha with sugar and a little water to rub and revitalize skin. Try using your culinary matcha on your exterior. It is perfect for this.
Foot Soak – Add matcha to your foot soak. You will enjoy the earthy scent of it while softening callouses, easing pain, and rejuvenating skin.
Foot Scrub – Like the body scrub, mix matcha with sugar to scour away dead skin, callouses, and soreness. Add coconut oil to make it extra special to moisturize, soften, revitalize, and heal.
Face Mask – Matcha makes an amazing addition to any face mask recipe. Try it with honey, yogurt, coconut oil, oatmeal, bananas, and more. Let the antioxidants go to work where you need it most while the caffeine burns fat and revitalizes cells.
Wrinkle Cream – Mix a small amount of matcha into your wrinkle cream. Homemade or store-bought both work well. You get extra antioxidants to protect and repair damage. Catechins and tannins tighten skin. Caffeine invigorates.
Toothpaste – This is kind of in between the outside and inside, but we’ll include it in the outside list. Matcha toothpaste helps deodorize the mouth thanks to the chlorophyll, but it also invigorates gums, combats bacteria, and repairs cellular damage. Try adding a half teaspoon of matcha to 2 parts baking soda and 4 parts coconut oil. Add a two drops of peppermint essential oil for flavor. Add a tiny amount of charcoal for extra deodorizing, whitening, and detoxifying power. One last tip, use a ceremonial blend or a high culinary for this. You will taste it.
Matcha for the Inside
Matcha Pops – Matcha makes for a deliciously beneficial popsicle. It plays well with most fruits. Try it with lemonade, strawberries, or mango. Mix it with yogurt for a creamier pop. This hot summer is begging for them, whether you use ceremonial or culinary matcha to whip them up.
Oatmeal – Start your day with a slow-burning carb and the sustained energy of matcha combined. Mix a half teaspoon in your oatmeal. Add fresh fruit for even more antioxidants. You will notice the difference in how you feel. This same trick works with granola, quinoa, and other ancient grains.
Yogurt – Just like oatmeal, this food gets a boost with a small half teaspoon of matcha. As a protein-rich snack, breakfast, or afternoon pick-me-up, matcha infused yogurt will help you get going.
Baking – Matcha works very well in cupcakes, donuts, pastries, pancakes, and more. Baking lets you use culinary grades of matcha, which is usually stronger, slightly more bitter, and less expensive. This just means the earthy flavor comes through well in baked goods, you get all the same benefits, and you save a bit.
Cooking – Matcha lends its unique flavors to cooking too. Try adding it to marinades, dry rubs, injections, and more. Dissolve a teaspoon in your favorite cooking oil. It plays well with olive, coconut, and even butter.
Smoothies – Smoothies are a health-food staple, but you can boost your smoothies with matcha for a ton of antioxidants, energizing caffeine, and the focus enhancing benefits of L-Theanine. This is another great way to use culinary matcha.
Popcorn – Sprinkle a little matcha over your popcorn. You can go savory or sweet with it too. Try white chocolate and matcha. Or go with sea salt, lime, and matcha. These are all winners.
Cocktails – Matcha was designed to be a powerful tea, but do not forget all the other beverages it can enhance. Lattes, lemonades, and even cocktails. Try bubbly spritzers, margaritas, or even a matcha mule. We have recipes to explore.