Health Benefits of Switching From Coffee to Matcha

For over 800 years, matcha has held a special place in Japanese tea culture. As such, it's no surprise that it’s not your average tea—it's made by finely grinding green tea leaves into a powder and given its numerous health benefits, it's no surprise that many are opting for matcha over their usual coffee routine.

Our guest expert, Kate Taylor Martin (holistic nutritionist & founder, nutbar), explains that while matcha does have caffeine in it, it doesn't give that jittery feeling that coffee often does. "Matcha offers a slow release of clear, calm, focused energy and leaves you feeling very balanced and grounded," says Kate. "Because of it's innately grounding and calming effects, matcha is really great for protecting our nervous system."

On top of that, consuming matcha promotes glowing skin because of it's high concentration of nutrients, as well as helps to slow aging and prevent disease. "Matcha is extremely high in antioxidants, meaning it helps to neutralize the damage that free radicals do to our cells," explains Kate. 

To begin incorporating matcha into your daily routine, Kate says to make sure you're buying organic and ceremonial grade (meaning: the highest quality matcha). Get yourself a matcha whisk and try out this simple recipe from Love & Lemons to start - you can always modify the recipe to match your taste preferences. "I'll also stir in some collagen to balance my blood sugar levels, and even magnesium to calm and ground me," she shares.

If you live in Toronto and you're feeling unsure about mixing up matcha on your own, stop by a nutbar location and have one made just for you. And if Kate is around, tell her we sent you!