The History and Health Benefits of Ceremonial Grade Matcha

1. The History and Health Benefits of Ceremonial Grade Matcha Matcha has certainly gone mainstream. It’s in all the trendiest drinks—from latte to yogurt smoothies. But did you know that ceremonial grade matcha has been around for centuries?It has a rich history that many people are not aware of. How ceremonial grade matcha came to be Matcha can be traced back to China’s Tang Dynasty when Camellia sinensis tea leaves were steamed into bricks. The drink then found its way into Japan, where Zen Buddhists largely influenced its preparation methods. Japanese Buddhists developed matcha the way you know it today—grown under shaded conditions to increase their chlorophyll content. In addition, the monks started incorporating the drink in their rituals, otherwise known as the Japanese Tea Ceremony. 1.The ceremony begins with a ritual purification of the utensils, or the usuki, chagama, chashaku, chawan, and chasen, with a silk cloth. This step is symbolic, a representation of purifying the guests’ souls. 2.The host will then prepare two types of matcha: thick and thin. These drinks will be served to the guests one by one until there is no tea left. 3.Finally, the host will clean the ceremony tools and hand out the chawan or tea bowl for the guests to admire. The benefits of ceremonial grade matcha Ceremonial grade matcha is the highest quality of matcha you can find today. It is made only with the finest leaves, selectively picked during the year’s first harvest. As a result, it has a sweet and delicate flavour that does not require any milk or sweeteners. In addition, this high-grade, organic beverage has some great health benefits:  High antioxidant content that can reduce cell damage and minimise the risk of chronic diseases  High caffeine content that improves your attention, reaction time, memory, and overall brain function  Reduces levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in your body, protecting against heart disease and stroke  Enhances weight loss and increases fat burning by up to 17% Buy your ceremonial grade matcha from a trusted retailer that sells products with the JAS organic seal. This is among the highest certification standards in Japan, so you can be confident that the green tea you are buying is truly organic.