I love drinking matcha tea, probably because I love milk so much! I have loved making them as an alternative to coffee during my pregnancy. It still gives the slight kick of caffeine, but the matcha contains an amino acid that keeps the body calm. Whether you are pregnant or not, this matcha tea recipe can also be an alternative for you if you feel you need more “healthy caffeine”.
Difference between Matcha and Green Tea
Both matcha and green tea comes from the plant Camellis Sinensis, but the way they are grown and processed gives them their unique properties.
Growth
Green tea is grown, the leaves picked, steamed and then left to oxidize (ferment) and dry, well explained by Mr. Robin Foroutan, a New York dietician.
Mr. Foroutan goes on to explain in the article on Everyday Health that matcha tea is the same plant as green tea, but grown in the shade. This brings out the chlorophyll content of the plant which has many benefits for our health. The leaves are then dried and crushed into a fine powder.
Consumption
While the way this plant is grown makes a big difference between green tea and matcha tea, their method of consumption also plays a big role.
Green tea is usually steeped in a tea, while matcha tea is mixed with milk and consumed in its entirety. Green tea’s benefits are derived from the antioxidants and minerals that seep into the tea water while matcha tea is digested fully by drinking the entire warm beverage that the matcha is blended with.
Does Matcha have Caffeine in It
Yes, it has similar caffeine content as coffee. But the way your body absorbs the caffeine from matcha is much different than absorbing the caffeine from coffee.
According to an article on Got Matcha, matcha contains an amino acid L-Theanine that works to release relaxing hormones (melatonin) in the body.
So while matcha tea contains caffeine, the caffeine works in parallel with the melatonin releasing L-Theanine amino acid, and thereby does not overstimulate the body with caffeine.
Buy premium grade Matcha for a nutritious drink!
Is Matcha Caffeine Safe during Pregnancy
Green tea is not declared unsafe during pregnancy. We know for certain that green tea is filled with many health benefits like antioxidants, supporting your brain health, and so on. So, like with all things, moderation is my motto.
I believe it to be the same with matcha (or green tea) during pregnancy. While it is good to be aware of the caffeine intake, in moderation matcha could also be aiding your health.
Matcha Tea Recipe
For our homemade matcha tea recipe, I use:
- 1 tsp matcha
- 1.5 cups of milk
Start by heating your milk in a small pot on the stove.
Add 1 tsp of matcha to a cup.
When the milk is hot, our about 1 tbsp of hot milk into the cup and whisk the matcha with a Bamboo Matcha Whisk.
Once the matcha powder is well combined with the flour, add the rest of the warm milk and enjoy!
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