Matcha tea has become a famous and sought-after tea and superfood in the western world over the last decade. Most of us know it as a bright green powder which makes a strong and thick tea that is rich in health benefits. It is a versatile tea that can be used to power-up your smoothies, add health benefits to your baking, and decorate your latte with foamy green goodness. In this post, we’ll take a look at where Matcha came from, how it’s made and matcha benefits.    Where did Matcha originate? Matcha green tea is not a new commodity, only recently discovered. It originated in China in the 9th century where it was used as a medicine and drug to cure various ailments. It was only after Zen Buddhist monks from Japan realized its true potential at the end of the 12th century, that the perfection in the cultivation of matcha truly became an art. Yet matcha is not an overproduced, over-processed, and commercialized food. Even until this day, matcha growing still only accounts for 0.6% of the total tea yield. What to learn more fun facts about matcha? Click here.   How is Matcha made? Matcha is prepared from high-quality leaf called Tencha that is shade grown. The tea bushes are covered to avoid their exposure to direct sunlight, which promotes a darker shade of green in the leaves. This effect stimulates the production of chlorophyll and amino acids in the tea. The Matcha is then harvested by hand to ensure the selection of only the smallest and youngest leaves for the finest quality tea. After picking the leaves, they are briefly steamed to protect them from oxidation and preserve their flavour and nutritional value. Finally, granite stone mills finely grind the sencha leaves naturally and without the use […]

The post Six Surprising Matcha Benefits appeared first on GROSCHE.