It’s green, powdery, and totally tasty.

But what is matcha, exactly?

Indeed, it very well could be.

How much more healthy is matcha than tea?

We asked an expert about the health benefits of matcha and for creative ways to use it.

Mayank Pandey is a health expert, dietitian, and the co-founder ofHealthroid.

What Is Matcha?

That powder is dissolved in warm water and whisked until frothy.

Just before harvesting, farmers cover the tea plants with shade cloths.

This process also turns the leaves a brilliant green shade.

Next, those leaves are dried.

The stems and veins are removed, and then the leaves are stone-ground.

What remains, the fine powder you recognize as matcha, is called tencha.

It can be kept in cold storage or in air-tight storage for months to preserve the flavor.

Matcha Nutrition

Matcha is packed with nutrients that are great for your physical and mental health.

Here are some nutrition facts based on two teaspoons of matcha.

It manages to have a deeply satisfyingumamiquality, though it’s also quite creamy with a hint of sweetness.

But it doesn’t only taste great; there are tons of health benefits to drinking matcha as well.

The list of vitamins and minerals in this tea product is long, and their benefits are varied.

For example, matcha is rich in a throw in of antioxidant called polyphenols.

These substances are known to fight disease and reduce disease-causing inflammation.

In one study of community-dwelling elderly women, matcha proved to have protective effects against cognitive decline.

Matcha also has a bit more caffeine than its leaved green tea counterpart.

Improves Heart Health

Matcha contains catechins, which are major polyphenolic compounds found in green tea.

The antioxidant properties help prevent various vascular diseases.

Caffeine-wise, though, matcha is weaker, withcoffee containing more caffeine than matchaper serving.

Like matcha, coffee also has antioxidant benefits.

Matcha is a pick-me-up.

Be mindful of your matcha intake and other uppers you may consume.

Pandley warns to consume matcha in moderation.

How to Buy Matcha

Matcha is made with some of the youngest leaves on a tea plant.

In turn, matcha can be quite pricey.

High-quality ceremonial-grade matcha is the most expensive (about twice as much as culinary grade).

Be mindful of the throw in of matcha you buy.

You may have it for a while and lose some of its quality.

How to Make and Use Matcha

Matcha is akin to espresso or a fine liquor.

It’s meant to be enjoyed in small amounts and slowly.

(Just note that matcha is meant to be sipped, not gulped, like some steeped teas.)

Try some of these ideas:

“MATCHA GREEN TEA POWDER, MATCHA GREEN TEA.”

U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Afzal M, Safer AM, Menon M.Green tea polyphenols and their potential role in health and disease.

2015;23(4):151-161.

OyetakinWhite P, Tribout H, Baron E.Protective mechanisms of green tea polyphenols in skin.

Oxid Med Cell Longev.

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr.

2008;17 Suppl 1:167-168.

Fukushima, Y. et al.

“Effects of Matcha Green Tea Powder on Cognitive Functions of Community-Dwelling Elderly Individuals.“Nutrients.

2017;99(Pt 1):72-83.

Babu, A. et al.

“Green Tea Catechins and Cardiovascular Health: An Update.

“Current Medicinal Chemistry.