Japan has had a revolution in the last 30 years. Technological, you may think? Banking and finance, others may suggest? No. In fact, neither. Yes. Japan is overwhelming green. We recently visited the country in May. The cherry blossoms had gone and pink was nowhere to be seen. But it was lush and green everywhere. We discovered green team from Japan also (more about that later!).
We discovered green rolling hillsides, green forests, green bamboo, green trees, beautifully manicured in a way that only Japanese can do.
The environmental influence with ‘green’ electric bicycles everywhere seemed to transport more than half of the nation, as well as electric and hybrid cars for those who prefer four wheels, not two.
But there was another green, the green of Matcha tea.
Green tea from Japan
Only recently have I come aware of Matcha tea and its anti-oxidant value for anti-aging and weight loss fanatics such as myself.
It is one of few choice ingredients in the Sirtfood diet, one of the new ‘kids’ on the block of fad diets and healthy eating plans.
But the Japanese have embraced Matcha tea in such a way that it has permeated the Japanese culture over the last 5-10 years.
What Is Matcha?
Matcha tea is a type of green tea but where the whole leaf is drunk to make the tea, not just the brewed water of the leaf.
The green leaves are finely ground to produce an almost luminescent bright green fine powder that is added to hot or cold water and then whisked until slightly frothy. It’s a green tea from Japan with a difference.
The Power of Matcha green tea
It has a unique strong flavour, sweeter and deeper than normal green teas. It has three times more caffeine than a normal brewed cup of tea, and said to also contain l-theanine which aids relaxation.
This makes it ideal to be drunk before a meditation session, such as practiced in Zen Buddhism, or at night before bedtime to aid restless sleepers.
Matcha is said to have many times the amount of antioxidant that normal green tea has. It is alleged to be anti-aging and have anti-inflammatory properties, as well as cholesterol and weight reducing.
Is there nothing Matcha can’t do? It is also professed to have thermogenic and detoxifying powers as well as giving you extra focus and energy boost too.
More than just green tea
Everywhere you look in Japan, there is a Matcha influence, some may even call it ‘Matcha madness’!
Not only is it served as a hot or cold green tea drink but it is added to numerous sweet and savoury goodies, tainting all with that amazing green colour and flavour.
The Japanese do Matcha ice cream and parfait desserts very well and it strongly features especially in soft-serve ice creams, occasionally with added mint for those of us with a more Westernised palate.
But you don’t even need to be a tea drinker. There are also Matcha-flavoured sweets, which are perfect for souvenirs. You think of it and they have created a Matcha variant as we spotted a neverending number of ‘green’ biscuits and cakes. It’s amazing what you can make of green tea from Japan.
From rice flour or gelatine made delights to baked green goodies. Try some Hibi Café green sponge cake slice or better still, some Uchi Café Premium Isecha Roll cake. Or if you prefer, ‘Hello Kitty’ Pop Candy, as well as numerous types of matcha chocolate. And they even have Matcha milk.
Matcha is EVERYWHERE. Matcha not only rocks, it rules!
The Japanese in Okinawa are some of the longest living people in the world. And with their healthy diet and lifestyle, obesity is nowhere to be seen. Is it the fresh air, lack of stress or the green tea from Japan?
Perhaps Matcha is their secret!
Irene Isaacson visited Japan at her own expense.
Discover Japan
Japan is a diverse country with beautiful scenery and amazing culture. Tokyo, Japan’s capital, is a vibrant city that is huge. Many visitors like to visit when the Cherry Blossoms are blooming but it’s also worth considering visiting Japan during winter when the ski fields in Japan are picture pretty. Winter is also the time to see the snow monkeys in Japan. But you might also like to explore lesser-known destinations like Shikoku.
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