The popularity of matcha has been on a continuous increase, and it is for a good reason.  The origin of matcha comes from the same plant as green tea, the Camellia Sinensis. While green tea and Matcha tea come from the same plant, yet they still have some unique differences due to their two distinct nutrient profiles. For farmers to grow matcha, they have to cover the cultivated area of tea plants for 20 to 30 days prior to the harvest. This protects the plant from being in direct sunlight, which consequently affects the plant by leaving a darker green hue. Farmers avoid sunlight to increase the production of chlorophyll and boosts the plant’s content of amino acid. Once the plant is ready to be harvested, farmers grind up the leaves until they are transformed into a fine powder. There are different ways to consume matcha to enjoy the benefits it provides. If you want to take your matcha game to the next levels, here are seven distinct ways to consume the plant.

1.    The Traditional Matcha Tea

To take things back to basics, you can resort to traditionally preparing matcha tea. Matcha tea has a higher concentration and a stronger taste, which saves you the trouble of having to consume a lot just to enjoy the benefits. All you need to do is sift a couple of teaspoons of matcha powder and add a few tablespoons of hot water. You need to whisk both ingredients together until they have achieved a  thick foamy texture, then fill your cup with hot water. You need to avoid using boiling water or whisking for too long to not risk giving your tea a bitter taste.

2.    Bulletproof Matcha Latte

Some people don’t appreciate the sudden release of caffeine into their bodies, especially in the morning before they have had the chance to enjoy a hearty breakfast. The added fats and protein in matcha lattes slow down the release of caffeine into the body. Matcha fans at MatchaOutlet.com clarify that there are different blends available in the market. Some bends have elements of creamy sweetness for an added twist to the oriental matcha flavor. Mix a packet of matcha powder with hot filtered water and add some honey, protein powder, vanilla extract, and some milk and whisk until you reach the foamy texture of your dreams.

3.    Put It in Baked Goods

 

If you enjoy desserts, you can now make an extra unique muffin or scone by adding some matcha powder to the mix. You can even go to the next level and make matcha cakes or waffles to kick start the day with some green baked goods.

4.    Add It to Your Granola Bowl

If you have a sensitive stomach that doesn’t allow you to eat freely, especially in the mornings, then matcha granola bowls are the perfect choice for you. Granola and added matcha tea give the body some needed energy to kick start the day with a healthy breakfast that doesn’t upset your stomach. Just add the powder to milk or yogurt, and whisk for a while before adding granola.

5.    Green Popcorn

Did you know that you can use matcha powder to make one of the easiest and healthiest snacks to amp up your movie nights? Start by making yourself some popcorn the same way you normally do. Right after your popcorn is ready, take some matcha powder and sprinkle it, and voila, you have made yourself a healthy snack in less than 10 minutes.

6.    Boost Your Green Smoothie

We all know how beneficial green smoothies are. With matcha powder, you can take your delicious green smoothies and make them greener and even more beneficial. This will give you the perfect energy boost in the afternoon to keep going.

7.    Green Noodles

This way is much more time-consuming than the aforementioned ways. However, you can find premade matcha noodles in the market. If you would like to make yours from scratch, make sure to pick the easiest and healthiest recipe you can find.

Enjoying matcha’s many health benefits doesn’t mean that you have to drink the same cup of tea every day. Since matcha comes in a powdery form that can be easily manipulated and inserted in many recipes, you can get creative and have some fun with different matcha recipes. You can start your day with a healthy latte or smoothies, or you can add matcha to your diet in some unique, green pancakes and other baked goods. It all depends on your preference.