Why we’re sweet on this SUPERFOOD

Have you been introduced to matcha, the current darling of the tea world? This finely milled green tea powder—the staple ingredient upon which traditional Japanese tea ceremonies were built in the 12th century—has skyrocketed in popularity recently thanks to its visual appeal, purported health benefits and distinct flavor. 

Matcha is essentially processed green tea leaves that have been stone-ground into a delicate powder. The powder is then sifted and whisked with hot water. Because of the laborious process required to produce matcha, the tea is generally pricier than others.

Matcha leaves are grown in a number of places, and the practice of milling tea leaves into a fine powder and whisking with water originated in China around the 10th century. Most agree the best matcha comes from Japan, with the most popular growing regions located in the southern half of the country: Uji, Nishio, Shizuoka, and Kyushu.

Matcha has recently been making waves in the health and beauty sectors because the green tea leaves are believed to be high in antioxidants. Regular steeped green tea is considered healthy because the leaves contain antioxidants, but water can only extract a small about of the leaves’ nutritional properties. In the case of matcha, you consume the entire leaf, making it exponentially more healthful.

Matcha tea is approximately 10 times stronger than regular brewed green tea. The anti-oxidant activity of Matcha is higher than that of blueberries, 100 times more potent than Vitamin C, and 25 Times more active than Vitamin E. Match contains over 70 times the anti-oxidants of fresh orange juice, and over 9 times the beta-carotene of spinach.

In addition to drinking matcha both warm and cold, there’s no shortage of creative ways to get your daily dose of matcha: infused into cocktails, whipped into lattes, sprinkled atop savory dishes, and mixed into any number of sweets from macaroons to mochi, and cakes to doughnuts.

GOTCHA, MATCHA.
Adding up the Potential Health Benefits

Longevity
Green tea has been researched for years and has been thought to lower mortality rates in humans. Matcha green tea, the mother of all green teas, is the most potent, delivering more than 10X the strength and health benefits of regular tea.

Heart Disease Fighter
Matcha is used as an anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, cholesterol lowering and vasculo-protective supplement. 

Improved Memory
Matcha may help maintain cognitive ability while neutralizing harmful radicals that can cause damage to the brain.

Sustained Energy
Matcha can help sustain energy for 4-6 hours without the caffeine crash you find with coffee or sugary drinks.

Blood Pressure & Hypertension Relief
Matcha Green Tea may assist in lowering blood pressure by increasing the levels of nitric oxide, which dilates the arteries and reduces blood pressure

Weight Loss
Matcha is commonly used as a weight loss ingredient, and may work to naturally suppress the appetite while increasing metabolism.

With all these healthy benefits, don’t miss out on PURE’s current deal: PURE Matcha for the reduced price of $42.95. Sale runs through the end of April, 2020 (or while supplies last).

HEART-HEALTHY VALENTINE’S DAY TREATS
Want to create a something sweet with a good-for-you twist? Try these recipes with PURE Matcha and watch your sweetie swoon.

Matcha White Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Ingredients:
– 20-25 strawberries
– 6 oz. white chocolate, finely chopped
– 1.5 tsp. PURE Matcha powder
– 2 oz. semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
– Chocolate sprinkles (or other toppings) as desired

Directions:
1. Thoroughly wash and dry the strawberries and place them in the fridge.
2. Finely chop the white chocolate and place in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, stir, and microwave again for 20 seconds. If the chocolate has not melted, continue microwaving in 10-second increments until completely melted.
3. Sift the PURE Matcha powder over the melted white chocolate and stir until combined.
4. Take the strawberries out of the fridge. Make sure each strawberry is completely dry before dipping it into the chocolate.
5. Gently hold the leaves of the strawberries and dip each into the matcha chocolate two-thirds of the way, twirling the strawberry to get an even coat.
6. Dip into your desired toppings and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave some strawberries with no toppings for the chocolate drizzle.
7. Chill the strawberries in the fridge for 8-10 minutes or until firm.
8. For the semi-sweet chocolate drizzle: microwave the chocolate for 45 seconds, stir, then microwave for another 15 seconds. If not completely melted, continue microwaving in 10-second increments until fully melted. Using a fork, lightly drizzle the chocolate onto the strawberries.
9. Chill in the freezer for another 8 minutes or until firm.
10. Share and enjoy!

Matcha Butter Cake (makes 1 6×3 inch cake)

Ingredients:
For the cake:
170 grams (3/4 cup) butter, soft
200 grams (1 cup) sugar
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
3 eggs
10 mL (2 teaspoons) vanilla extract
30 mL (2 tablespoons) heavy cream
1 tbs. PURE Matcha powder
120 grams (1 cup) flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder

For decorating:
1/2 tsp. PURE Matcha powder
1/4 cup powdered sugar, fruit and flowers, as desired

 

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease and flour a 6×3 inch pan liberally.
2. Place butter in the bowl of a stand mixer with the sugar and salt and beat on high speed for 5 minutes.
3. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add in the eggs.
4. Beat on high for 5 more minutes.
5. Scrape the bowl and add the cream and vanilla extract; mix only until partially incorporated.
6. Add in the PURE Matcha, flour, and baking powder.
7. Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix to ensure homogeneity.
8. Scrape batter into prepared pan and smooth top.
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the top is puffed and springy and a tester comes out clean.
10. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes; invert onto a cooling rack and allow to cool completely.
11. To decorate, mix PURE Matcha and powdered sugar together very well.
12. Dust over the top of the cake and decorate with fresh fruit as desired.
Serve in repeated thin slices with hot tea!

Matcha Berry Smoothie

Ingredients
– 2 cups nut milk of choice
– 2 cups blueberries frozen
– 1 banana
– 2 tsp. protein powder unflavored
– 1 tbs. PURE Matcha powder
– 1 tbs. chia seeds
– 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
– 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
– pinch of salt

Instructions
In a blender, mix the nut milk, blueberries, banana, protein powder (if using), PURE Matcha, chia seeds, cinnamon, ginger, and salt until smoothie. Pour into two glasses and serve immediately.

Note: Nutrition calculated based on almond milk. A pinch of salt is not included.