Sip & Steep: Making Green Tea and Matcha at Home

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Nothing captures that feeling of wellness like a steamy cup of green tea. This ancient beverage offers many health benefits and couples well with various flavors like ginger, mint, and jasmine. Latte lovers are likely to crave the earthy flavors of Matcha, which pair nicely in ice cream, milk shakes, and even baked goods. 

Matcha and green tea have less caffeine than coffee and black tea, but offer more antioxidants and a general sense of calm. Habitual green tea drinkers may experience lower blood sugar, increased brain function, and improved blood flow. Green tea is a relaxing replacement for high jitter coffee beverages.

Matcha vs. Green Tea Leaves

Matcha means "powdered tea" and is actually finely ground green tea leaves. Because the leaves are consumed, rather than steeped, Matcha has a more robust flavor and more caffeine than green tea leaves. Traditional Matcha is blended with a bamboo whisk to increase the foam and dissolve the powder evenly. 

Green tea is the non-fermented leaves of the tea tree. Steeped loose leaf or in bags, this tea is popular worldwide and blends well with other flavors. 

Green Tea Variants:
  • Chamomile - Inflammation & Cramps
  • Cherry Blossom - Inflammation & Skin
  • Genmaicha - Heart & Circulation
  • Ginger - Immunity & Nausea
  • Honey Lemon - Weight Loss & Liver
  • Jasmine - Relaxation
  • Mango - Vitamin A & C
  • Mint - Digestion & Nausea
  • Peach - Sweet & Refreshing
  • Tulsi - Metabolism & Weight Loss
Recipe for Iced Green Minty Tea: 

Ingredients

  • 4 Cups Water
  • 4 Green Tea Bags 
  • 4 Sprigs Fresh Mint 
  • 1/4 Cup Honey
  • 2 Cups of Ice
  • 2 Cups Cold Water

Instructions

1. In a saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. 
2. Once boiling, remove from heat, add tea bags and 2 mint sprigs. 
3. Cover and let steep 10 minutes.
4. Remove and discard tea bags and mint. 
5. Stir in honey until dissolved. 
6. In a large pitcher, add 2 cups ice, 2 cups cold water, and green tea mixture. 
7. Stir well to combine & chill.
8. Serve over ice, with remaining mint sprigs.

Links and Further Reading: 

Matcha Recipe: loveandlemons.com/matcha-green-tea/
Health Benefits of Green Tea: healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-green-tea
Matcha Ceremony:  teaforte.com/teanotes/what-is-a-matcha-ceremony

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