Matcha has gotten so popular over the last couple of years, we’d be surprised if you haven’t gotten hooked already. But in the case that you haven’t had the chance to try this cozy, healthy, and antioxidant-rich tea, we are here to convince you. People are drawn to its bright green color, its numerous health benefits, and the beautiful latte it produces. It is part of the green tea family, but what separates it from the others is that it comes in powder form, as opposed to leaves. The powder provides more concentration of nutrients, so even more reason to add this tea to you’re daily routine. Matcha can be found pretty much anywhere these days. We compiled some of the benefits of matcha and maybe you’ll even want to swap your morning cup of joe with this green goodness.

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Matcha tea is filled with antioxidants and vitamins called catechins and polyphenols. According to Jenna Gorham, RD, and founder of Jenna Gorham Nutrition Consulting in Bozeman, Montana, “Matcha powder offers a megadose of these powerful antioxidants, which can help reduce cell damage and prevent chronic disease.” It also provides a dose of vitamins A, B, C, E, and K. It also provides you with more energy than you would get from other teas, with about three times more caffeine than other brewed teas. Matcha contains about 70 mg of caffeine, which is just a bit less than a cup of coffee has, which is about 96 mg. Speaking about coffee, matcha won’t make you feel jittery like coffee sometimes can. Gorham explains, “People say that when they drink matcha, they have a smooth alertness and don’t experience a ‘caffeine crash,’ which could have to do with the L-theanine component.”

Believe it or not, matcha may also make you more productive. A study conducted in Food Research International in 2017 found that those who drank matcha had a small increase in attention an hour after drinking it, which is most likely because of the mixture of L-theanine, energy-boosting epigallocatechin (EGCG), and caffeine. It can also be more filling than a cup of coffee. Due to its strong taste, it’s most often whisked served with milk or non-dairy milk, like oat milk. The added calories from the milk can make the drink more satiating than a typical espresso latte. Matcha can also make your bones stronger. The polyphenols found in this green tea may make your bone mineral density greater by decreasing inflammation on the bones, which can decrease your chances of developing osteoporosis. You can’t go wrong with Matcha tea. Next time you’re in your local drive-through for your morning cap, perhaps try this yummy and healthy alternative instead.