BY JAN AGATON
Though matcha means “powdered tea” in Japanese, our newest product, the Majestic Maya Matcha Body Scrub, is proof that matcha can be used for purposes other than creating a trendy beverage. It has also been proven to benefit consumers’ physical as well as mental health. Moreover, the higher the quality of matcha, the more effective it will be on your overall well-being.
In addition to the positive effects of matcha, we will also be discussing the distinctions between matcha of low and high quality in order to clarify what you should look for when trying it out.
To start, in case you’re wondering about the difference between matcha and regular green tea, it comes in the way they’re made. Matcha has a more intricate processing stage in which the tea leaves are finely ground and whisked with a bamboo brush so that you are drinking the leaves directly in the form of powder mixed with water. Traditional green tea, on the other hand, is made by simply steeping the leaves in hot water, leaving just the components in your drink.
Health Benefits
- Boosts metabolism and burns calories
You may have seen “green tea extract” as an ingredient in many weight loss supplements; studies show that green tea helps burn fats quicker and therefore lose weight. And because matcha is more concentrated, the effect is stronger. It also reduces cortisol, which is a stress hormone that increases appetite.
Matcha consists of an amino acid called L-Theanine which is known to reduce anxiety without drowsiness. The calming effects often also lead to increased mental focus.
Matcha contains high levels of Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCg), giving it the ability to lower LDL cholesterol levels (“bad” cholesterol) and raise HDL cholesterol levels (“good” cholesterol).
- Side note: EGCg has antibiotic properties that help clear acne-prone skin.
Again, due to matcha being a more concentrated substance than regular green tea, it contains a significantly larger amount of antioxidants, which are nutrients that prevent various types of internal damage.
Differences Between Low And High Quality Matcha
Similar to nearly any other product, you get what you pay for with matcha too. The higher the price typically alludes to higher quality.
Furthermore, the higher priced matcha usually means it’s imported from Japan, which automatically indicates better quality.
As in any other plant, chlorophyll is what gives matcha its green color. You can distinguish the quality level of matcha by how vibrant the green is.
- Side note: Chlorophyll protects skin from sun damage and impurities in the environment, resulting in less wrinkles/sun spots, also known as “photo-aging.”
Smaller particles with a fine and silky texture are a pretty good indication of better quality.
Now that you know some of the many advantages of matcha, don’t forget to check out our DIY Matcha Body Scrub on www.makeitclassydiy.com to reap all the benefits by incorporating matcha into your shower routine! See it in action in the video below: