Is Matcha Powder the Ultimate Superfood Powder?

In this article I'm going to tell you why I believe that authentic Japanese matcha powder is well and truly the ultimate super powder.

Oxidative damage or stress is what scientists believe to be the result of ageing. So consuming foods that contain antioxidants with high ORAC ratings may have the power to neutralise free radicals that cause diseases and premature ageing.

In fact the ORAC unit of measurement was developed by the American National Institute on Ageing.

So how do our super powders stack up against each other. Let's take a look at the ORAC leader board below:

As you can see, matcha powder is indeed a heavy weight contender. Now you might have seen articles published around the web citing that matcha powder has an ORAC value of just 1,384 but this measurement is only by the single gram! 

The health benefits of matcha have been proven extensively by scientific studies, and new studies are always emerging. 

With this laundry list of matcha health benefits its clear to see why matcha powder is the ultimate super powder. 

If you are curious to try matcha tea, then look only for high quality matcha teas from Japan. Where possible, go for matcha teas that are certified organic to either the JAS or USDA standard. 

The recommended daily intake of matcha tea is about 2g - 5g per day. So if your consuming 2-3 bowls of matcha tea per day, you'd measure an age defying score of 6,920 ORAC per day!

Now I'm not saying that drinking matcha is like drinking from the fountain of youth but it is something that I encourage you to introduce into your every day diet.

Don't go overboard though as the old saying goes that too much of one thing is never any good. 

When deciding which matcha to buy, the first choice is to decide whether you are going to buy an organic certified matcha or a non-organic matcha. 

The tasting profiles of each matcha can be quite different. The fertilisers used in a conventional matcha (non-organic) often contribute to a more vibrant colour and sometimes sweeter tasting matcha. This is because the chemical fertilisers work rapidly, allowing the boost that the plants need during the most important part of their life under the shade. 

The bottom line is that by choosing conventional matcha (non-organic) then you are choosing to consume pesticides and insecticides with your matcha. 

Organic matcha on the other hand is farmed using only natural fertilisers and the power of mother nature. In Japan the food safety standards are defined by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to the JAS Standard. 

There are only a few farms which have achieved certified Organic status. Maintaining and sustaining an organic farm is incredibly hard and expensive. The impact of climate and pests can have an adverse effect on the quality and output of the tea.

We chose to call our brand Purematcha because our matcha is exactly that - 100% raw, natural and pure. We also chose to work with a farm in the most esteemed and respected matcha tea producing area in all of Japan - Uji. The thing about Uji, is that it has the perfect climate to operate a sustainable organic farm that can produce GREAT tasting organic matcha teas without the chemicals! 

The farm we are working with has a protected 300 year-old history and tradition of tea-making and has been authorised for Organic JAS Standard of ISO-90001. 

So when deciding between conventional matcha vs organic matcha. Definitely go with organic matcha that wears the JAS certified label. 

Yes, you can!

Matcha is one super powder that is an excellent addition to almost any smoothie. If you already have a favourite smoothie recipe down pat, then the addition of 2 scoops of matcha powder will supercharge your smoothie creation to a whole new level.

I personally love my smoothies to have that tropical punch. 

Try my tropical matcha smoothie recipe where I combine matcha powder with a mix of other immune boosting ingredients. It's one super powder for one super smoothie!  

I think for some people matcha can be an acquired taste. When you taste matcha for the first time your palette will experience the initial intensity of its rich concentrated green tea flavour. It is a complex taste and the full appreciation of matcha tea comes down to its preparation. 

For instance, if you scoop 2 tea spoons of matcha in a coffee mug, pour in hot boiling water and stir with a teaspoon for 5 seconds then drink... well I can tell you now that the taste results won't be very satisfying. 

Matcha powder does not dissolve into water as well as other mix powder supplements do. In addition pouring hot boiling water over delicate matcha powder will result in the same taste as burnt coffee. 

To experience the full bodied flavours that a high quality matcha tea has to offer, you will need to spend an extra 90 seconds in prep time in comparison to brewing tea bag style tea. 

Here is how I prepare matcha tea. 

1. Sift 1-2 scoops of matcha tea powder into a small matcha bowl using a fine mesh tea strainer. 

2. Pour hot water, around 80 degrees (Not boiling water) into the bowl

3. Use a 100 prong bamboo matcha whisk and whisk the matcha in a W style motion until an emerald green froth appears. 

4. Relax, drink and enjoy.

If matcha tea is going to be part of your every day life then get yourself a matcha tea set so you can make perfect tasting matcha every single time.

Still unsure how to make great tasting matcha tea? Watch this how-to video

The tealeaves used in ceremonial grade matcha are the youngest of the camellia sinensis plant, as they received the least amount of sunlight prior to harvest. As such, they’re higher in L-theanine (natural relaxant), chlorophyll (intense bright green) and caffeine, making it value for money even for those who drink it daily as a pick-me-up.

Furthermore, ceremonial grade matcha has a refreshing grassy flavour and initial hint of astringency that leaves a lingering umami sweetness. You will also get a rich creamy mouthfeel.