The Magic of Matcha!

It's a cold and dreary day out there but inside, I'm doing a little revitalizing...both inside and out! What is my magic potion you ask? Matcha!

Matcha powder is actually the entire green leaf ground into a fine powder. Now as most of you know, and for those of you who don't, green tea is full of antioxidants, has been touted for weight loss, boosting mental clarity and a myriad of other health benefits. So, if green tea is so beneficial, think about what ingesting and/or applying topically the entire leaf will do!

That's where Matcha comes in.

Matcha is a special type of powdered green tea that is grown and produced in Japan (in most cases). The green tea leaves are shaded from the sun for the last few weeks of their growth, increasing the chlorophyll content and creating a vibrant green color. Then, the leaves are carefully ground with the use of specially designed granite stone mills to produce a fine powder. The powder can then be used to brew an antioxidant rich frothy green tea or in recipes like smoothies (I love it in my protein shakes) or baking. Unlike other types of teas, the green tea powder is not strained out before consuming, so you are consuming the entire leaf, making Matcha more potent than other tea varieties. In fact, only 1/2 tsp is needed to brew a traditional cup of Matcha. Side bar: It can take up to one hour to grind 30 grams of matcha!

So, now you know a little about matcha. This is what I'm using to revitalize and detox my body inside and out. I love making a great cup of matcha but I also enjoy using it in baking, smoothies, and cookies. The possibilities are endless.

However, my favorite thing lately is using matcha as a facial mask. As I get older, I try and look for natural ways to keep my skin nice. Matcha fits the bill quite nicely and does an amazing job! My face is so soft and the skin tone has evened out tremendously while using this. It's also been known to help with acne and rosecea due to the inflammatory properties. For me personally, it' been a win, win!

I've included my recipe below. Give it a go and let me know what you think!

Matcha Mask Recipe

*Best for Oily to Normal Skin

• 1 tsp. Matcha Green Tea

• Few drops of Water or Aloe Vera Gel

Put Matcha Green Tea into a small bowl and slowly add water or aloe vera gel. You don’t want to add too much liquid or it won’t stay on your face. Aim for a thicker consistency than thinner.

Apply to clean face and leave on 15 minutes or longer if desired.

*Best for Dry Skin (this is the one I used. You can also experiment with essential oils)

2 tsp. Matcha Green Tea

• 1/2 tsp. Organic Coconut Oil

• Water

Put Matcha Green Tea in a bowl and add coconut oil and a few drops of water. Mix until a thick paste forms. Add only enough water to make it spreadable. Avoid adding too much water or it will not stay on your face.

Apply to clean face and leave on 15 minutes or longer if desired.

Live well, Be well,

Ang.