As New York’s first specialty matcha cafe, one of our top priorities is education. On this page you will find a run down on the health benefits of matcha tea.
Why "Better Energy"?
We believe matcha delivers a Better Energy, plain and simple. This boils down to three basics.
1) Caffeine: The beauty of matcha lies in the extended release nature of the caffeine. The caffeine in matcha bonds to larger plant molecules, increasing the time it takes for the caffeine to break down in the bloodstream. This creates a prolonged energy, versus the quick burst - and subsequent crash - associated with coffee and other energy drinks.
2) Antioxidants: Part of the hustle is being able to show up! Matcha is naturally one of the most concentrated sources of antioxidants on the planet! Antioxidants, our body’s foot soldiers, are our first line of protection against free radicals, the molecules that nutritionists believe are responsible for accelerated aging, tissue damage, and inflammatory issues. Antioxidants are also known to help control blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and can even help improve metabolism.
3) L-theanine: Nutritionists celebrate L-Theanine, one of the most common amino acids in matcha, for its wonderful effects on the mind. L-Theanine supports the activity of alpha brain waves, responsible for a cool, calm, collected feeling we love - not necessarily a bad thing for a generation of anxious multi-taskers. So with matcha, it’s not just the caffeine at work. The killer combo of caffeine, antioxidants, and L-theanine delivers what we like to call a Better Energy!
What constitutes ceremonial grade?
Ceremonial grade denotes the highest quality of matcha, meant to be consumed in a traditional japanese tea ceremony. Alternatively, culinary grade denotes it is meant to be used for cooking and flavoring, and generally lacks the caffeine and l-theanine content we love so much!
Difference between matcha and green tea?
To produce matcha, one uses only the tips of the plant - baby leaves that sprout while the plant is being shaded. Shade-growing is essential to how the tea plant is harvested for matcha. Then the plant is deprived of sunlight, effectively tricking the plant into thinking it is dying, causing it to work harder to survive! Its chlorophyll content skyrockets , along with antioxidants, and everything else that makes matcha wonderful! What results is a leaf packed with flavor, nutrients and caffeine.
How much caffeine?
Every bottle filled and cup served contains around 80mg of caffeine.
How does matcha stack up against...
GREEN TEA: 25-40mg/cup
ESPRESSO: 90-100mg/shot
RED BULL: 80mg per can
COFFEE: 120-150+/cup