Caffeine

• The caffeine in matcha has a longer staying power than in coffee or energy drinks. Counter-balanced with theanine, an amino acid that relaxes the mind, matcha powder provides four to six hours of mild, but stimulating, energy. Matchasource.com also notes, as well as many other matcha sites, that as both a relaxant and stimulant, it has been used by Buddhist monks to sustain a tranquil, but alert, state of mind. Essentially, the caffeine high derived from matcha is more of a mental lift, and, unlike the high from coffee, there is no crash.

Chlorophyll

• Responsible for the emerald-green characteristic of matcha powder, chlorophyll removes toxins and heavy metals from the body. The chlorophyll content is preserved in matcha, more so than in green tea, because it is shade grown and subjected to a light steaming process. Because the full tea leaf is ingested, matcha acts as a detoxifying agent in the body.

Antioxidants

• Like cinnamon, lime juice and pomegranates, matcha is rich with antioxidants, which is known to forestall aging and prevent cancer. With matcha, you are consuming the whole tea leaf, rather than the nutrients in the water extracted from the green tea bag. According to Alissa White, founder of Matchasource.com, researchers at Tufts University found that the ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) level of antioxidants in matcha is exceptionally higher than in blueberries or pomegranates. Matcha powder also contains catechins, a class of antioxidants found only in green tea with the most powerful cancer-fighting properties.

Sugar-Free

• Matcha green tea powder lacks sugar. This is especially helpful for diabetics, as it will not raise insulin levels and helps regulate blood sugar. Also, according to BrainReady.com, those wishing to cut down their sugar intake will find matcha beneficial in boosting the immune system.

Culinary Creations

• Recipes with matcha are limitless, and, in all of them, nutrients abound. You can sprinkle the powder into cakes, stews, soups and soufflés. Deserts are especially savory if you scoop a few spoonfuls into soft-serve vanilla ice cream or blend it up to make a milk shake. You can also add it to soy or nonfat milk over ice as an iced latte on a warm day, or blend it with a banana for a smoothie. A bit of matcha powder added to your recipes gives your food a rich, creamy aftertaste, while nourishing and cleansing the body.