Move over pumpkin spice; matcha is taking the spotlight this winter!
Pssst! Haven’t you heard? We should all be drinking matcha lattes by now, they’re on the rise!
Matcha lattes, aka ‘the green tea latte’ is becoming increasingly popular. Despite the ‘pure matcha latte’ being introduced to Starbucks in 2019, it is progressing further into the UK and Ireland, becoming influencers new ‘go-to’ drink.
Coffee drinkers are recognising the many health benefits to adding a little green into your life. It can be difficult to make health changes when the traditional caramel and vanilla additives taste so good! However, this shouldn’t be a problem with a matcha latte; they have the same great taste, as well as providing your body with essential nutrients. It is a natural and healthy alternative to traditional energy drinks and caffeine sources.
It is certainly overwhelming trying to keep up with the constant emergence of new casual beverage recipes. Therefore, you may be wondering, what exactly is a matcha latte? Well, let me tell you!
Matcha itself is a powder made from ground-up green tea leaves originating in Asia. Traditionally, it is mixed with hot water to make a tea, featuring in the Japanese tea ceremony. Over the years it has been reinvented into a latte with steamed milk, similar to the classic latte with coffee. If you prefer a cold drink, opt for an iced matcha latte!
So, should we ditch coffee for this green tea elixir? What can it do for our health? According to Healthline, here are three benefits to including matcha in your diet!
- May help lower your risk of certain diseases. Matcha is naturally high in antioxidants. Antioxidants help our body fight off free radicals which can cause harmful illnesses like diabetes or cancer.
- Promotes brain function. The ingredients such as chlorophyll and caffeine support brain function, highlighting alertness and memory performance. This could certainly persuade students to switch to matcha!
- Matcha is good for skin health. Antioxidants also help reduce damage to skin cells caused by UV rays. You may see an improvement in your skin if you’re a regular matcha drinker!
Are you inspired to go pick up your daily matcha fix? Maybe we should thank Gwenyth Paltrow for the spread in popularity of this green drink, as she shared an Instagram post of her matcha tea back in 2015. The world believes this post ignited the slow climb to fame for matcha lattes and teas alike. Making its way from America to Europe over the years.
The matcha industry is expanding year after year, it has already made its way into cakes and pastries. Chefs and baristas are getting creative with this green superfood. If you haven’t already, be sure to give matcha a try!
