You’re going to love it so matcha
Matcha lattes are super trendy at the moment but what actually is this bowl of warm, green goodness that all the health bloggers seem to be obsessed with? And why’s it so good for you?
There’s matcha lattes, matcha donuts, matcha icecream and even matcha Kit Kats! As it turns out matcha has actually been around since the 12th century and originated from China where it was frequently used in Buddhist ritualts. Nowadays the highest quality matcha is produced in Japan and comes in two types: usucha or “thin tea” and koicha or “thick tea”. It is made of whole leaves from green tea plants that are grown, harvested and then stone-ground to produce the powdered goodness.
If you’re thinking ‘But isn’t it just like green tea?’ let us explain… The difference between matcha and green tea is that matcha is completely made of the leaves while green tea is made of the leaves’ essence.
So why should we care? The magic of matcha comes from its health properties – one serve of matcha offers the same benefits of up to 10 cups of regular green tea! Who knew? And according to a Tufts University study, it contains 20 times more antioxidants than pomegranates and blueberries.
What are the skincare benefits of matcha?
Do you suffer from sun damage, acne, scarring, inflammation or redness? Matcha helps with all that and more.
According to Dr. Diane Walder, an American dermatologist who spoke to Nylon, “The high concentration of antioxidants and the healing properties and immunity boost obtained from matcha green tea powder makes it a great and effective ingredient for use in skin products.”
“Matcha green tea products tend to have one of the highest concentration of EGCG [epigallocatechin-gallate] or polyphenols, which again have the potential to protect the skin cells from free radicals, and can protect the body from cancer and viruses,” she said.
But that doesn’t mean you should hang up your sunscreen just yet! While matcha gives the skin a line of defence against sun damage when used externally on skin, you should still use a UV protection sunscreen for maximum protection.
How to make your own matcha face mask at home
- Mix 1 tbsp of matcha powder, 1/2 teaspoon raw organic coconut oil and water to create a paste.
- Massage the mask over your clean dry face and neck.
- Leave on for 10-20 minues.
- Rinse with warm water and a face cloth.
