Well Nourished | Matcha Mornings
It is well rooted in consumers’ minds that green tea features a high level of antioxidants and is therefore considered a healthy alternative. However, when brewing a regular green tea most of its goodness is actually thrown away, as water can only extract a fraction of its nutritional benefits. The majority of the valuable antioxidants and minerals actually remain trapped in the tea leaves.
Matcha is the product of stoneground tea leaves which are unheated to preserve their nutrients. Matcha is far less processed than regular green tea leaves, making it a more potent source of catechin, an antioxidant linked to fighting cancer, viruses and heart disease. This supercharged green powder is also a surprising elixir for skin conditions such as rosacea and acne, reducing redness with its powerful anti-inflammatory properties as well as stimulating the production of elastin which is key in the fight against free radicals that cause sun damage, age spots and dry skin.
At WELL CURATED we whisk up a mug of matcha before our morning meditation and being a rich source of mood stabilising L-Theanine it increases focus and gives you just as much energy as a cup of coffee, without the mid-afternoon crash. Read on for more ways to start your day with matcha…
Cinnamon Matcha Latte
by Eli Brecher
Cinnamon helps keep blood sugar levels stable while balancing out the taste of strong green tea. This makes a nourishing and antioxidant-rich replacement to coffee, leaving you calm with a gentle boost.
Serves 2
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 cup other plant-based milk (oat/cashew milk for creamy texture)
2 teaspoons matcha powder
1 teaspoon coconut oil
1 heaped teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon date nectar or honey
Method
Add all ingredients to a saucepan on a low-medium heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Use an electric whisk to create froth or transfer to a blender and blend for about 20 seconds. Pour into mugs and serve hot.
Matcha Yoghurt Breakfast Bowl
Packed full of health-promoting plant compounds too, this beautiful breakfast bowl is surprisingly satisfying and the colours are so cheerful too.
Serves 1
150-200ml yoghurt of choice
1 tsp matcha tea
Honey or maple syrup to taste
1 blood orange or other orange – peeled and sliced
Palmful of walnuts, pecans or almonds – chopped if you like
Method
Simply add the yogurt to a mixing bowl, sprinkle over the matcha, drizzle in a little honey or maple syrup and whisk thoroughly. Pour into a serving bowl, top with sliced blood oranges and crumbled walnuts and eat immediately.
Matcha Chia Overnight Oats
by Olivia Nottin, Matcha and Beyond
This recipe is rich in protein and complex carbohydrates, making the perfect combination for slow release energy throughout the day.
Serves 2
1tsp of Matcha
150ml of your preferred milk
½ to 1tsp of maple syrup to taste
1tsp of chia seeds
50g of Oats
Method
Sieve the matcha with a fine sieve to avoid any lumps and whisk with milk until smooth. Add the maple syrup and chia seeds and continue to whisk for 1 minute. Stir in the oats, cover and leave to stand overnight. In the morning add fresh fruit if you wish or for an extra boost of protein and antioxidants add toasted pumpkin seeds and goji berries.