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Green tea has been used since ancient times for its physical health benefits and calming effects. Modern scientific studies support these ancient beliefs; many people promote its positive effect on weight management and loss by boosting metabolism and energy.

On a hot day, there's nothing better than relaxing in the shade with a refreshing homemade iced tea. Making iced tea is quick and easy, but what are the best teas to prepare and drink cold?

Whether you're looking for an invigorating cup of tea to start your day, or need a little energy boost to get through study sessions or long work days, a cup of tea can be a great, healthy alternative to coffee or energy drinks.

In this brief article, we'll delve into everything surrounding Japanese green tea: its history, health benefits, how to prepare it, and the best varieties.

Research has shown that it has potential benefits for heart and brain health. While drinking matcha tea has impressive effects, it's equally powerful when used on the skin.

The healing benefits of teas and infusions have been used around the world for centuries, and modern science is catching up. Research shows that infusions can treat certain conditions, such as high blood triglycerides.

What is matcha tea | How to make matcha tea | What not to do when making matcha tea | Where to buy matcha tea Matcha tea is the king of teas. This Japanese green tea is so pure, unique, and complex that it has no rival in the tea world. In Asia, it's revered for its health benefits and is the star of the Japanese tea ceremony. Read on to learn how to prepare it optimally. What is matcha tea? Matcha is a finely powdered green tea traditionally used in the Japanese tea ceremony . In the 12th century, when the monk Eisai introduced tea to Japan, it was customary in China to grind the leaves into a powder before beating them in a bowl. This was the era of beaten tea. This preparation method, later abandoned by the Chinese, was adopted by the Japanese, who incorporated it into the Chanoyu ritual. The finest matcha tea comes from the indoor plantations of the Uji region. After processing, the leaves undergo a specific sorting process. To produce plant material that can be easily ground into a fine powder, the veins are removed from the leaves. This produces tencha, which is ground between millstones . RELATED INFORMATION Matcha Tea Guide: Benefits, Grades, Accessories How to prepare matcha tea correctly? The preparation method for matcha tea is very different from other teas. Instead of boiling or infusing it, matcha tea is simply dissolved in hot water . However, to properly dissolve matcha powder, you need more than just a teapot and a spoon. Brewing a perfect cup of this tea is an art in Japan. To prepare matcha tea at home, you will need these accessories : A chawan or bowl A chashaku or measuring spoon A chasen or bamboo whisk A colander You can replace the chawan and chashaku with a regular bowl and spoon, but this will take away the magic and sophistication of the matcha preparation ritual. These are the steps for preparing matcha tea the traditional way : Place all the utensils on the table in front of you in an orderly manner. Use filtered or mineral water. Bring it to a boil and let it cool for two minutes (approximately 80°C). While you wait for the water to cool, preheat the chawan or bowl with hot water and dry it with a kitchen towel. Pass two measures of chashaku or half a teaspoon of matcha through the sieve over the chawan or bowl. Pour about 70 ml of the water you have heated into the chawan or bowl. Beat with the chasen or bamboo whisk, making "w"-shaped movements until you obtain a smooth liquid with a light foam. Drink the matcha tea next. Clean utensils with hot or warm water after use. RELATED INFORMATION How to Make the Best Matcha Latte? Recipe and Tips Things you shouldn't do when preparing matcha tea For an optimal experience with your matcha tea, here's a list of common mistakes people make when preparing this tea to keep in mind: Never use a wet measuring spoon when scooping matcha powder. This would cause the matcha in the tin to spoil much more quickly. Don't use boiling water when preparing matcha. Let it cool for a few minutes, or if you have a tea thermometer , wait until the water reaches 80°C. Don't use unsifted matcha powder. Everyone has a sieve at home. Sifting it prevents clumps of powder from remaining in the bowl. Whisk the matcha powder vigorously, but do so carefully and without pressing the chasen against the bottom of the bowl, as it could break. Don't wait for matcha to cool before drinking it, as it will lose its flavor and creamy texture. Don't forget to clean the chasen after using it, or it will be very difficult to clean later. Where to buy matcha tea? Nowadays, it's easy to find matcha tea in supermarkets, but we recommend purchasing it from specialty tea shops. Make sure the matcha tea is Japanese and ceremonial grade, which is the type used in the Japanese tea ceremony. At Replantea, you can buy 100% organic, ceremonial-grade Japanese matcha tea . You'll also find all the necessary accessories and matcha starter packs . RELATED INFORMATION Matcha Tea Helps Lose Weight, Increases Energy and Relaxation 4 Benefits of Matcha for Your Skin

Matcha tea is all the rage; you can find it everywhere. There are matcha tea ice creams, matcha tea muffins and cookies, matcha lattes, and even matcha tea Kit-Kats. This delicious Japanese green tea is here to stay, and science is discovering new health benefits of matcha tea every day.

If you're a tea lover, you probably haven't been able to escape the global matcha tea trend that began a few years ago. For many, it's a near-miraculous tea, with dozens of benefits that surpass any other type of tea.

If you're looking for an alternative to coffee or another beverage to start your day, a matcha latte may be just what you need . Not only is it delicious, but you don't need to add sugar; it contains caffeine to give you a boost of energy and a host of potential health benefits.

In addition to being a natural source of caffeine, tea is packed with other healthy plant compounds, many of which also have properties that positively affect the mind. For example, tea contains L-theanine, which is calming, and some research suggests that antioxidant polyphenols in tea, such as EGCG, may also affect our mental state. Probably for these reasons, tea has been an indispensable part of meditation in many cultures for thousands of years. Read on to discover the ins and outs of this ancient and revered combination, and learn how you can apply it to your daily life to achieve greater peace and focus. Tea and meditation in history There is a famous legend about the origin of tea in China. It tells of a monk of Persian origin named Bodhidharma, who lived in China under the reign of Emperor Wu of Liang, in the 6th century. It is said that Bodhiddaharma had a strong will and determination, and that he once meditated for seven years. After meditating, he slept for two years, and upon waking, he was so frustrated at having lost consciousness that he took off his eyelids and threw them to the ground. This way, he would never fall asleep again while meditating. The legend continues, explaining that over time, the eyelids became the first tea plants and have since helped all monks gain more energy and focus during meditation. This is just a legend, but historians believe that Zen monks spread the Camellia sinensis plant throughout China and later to Japan and other countries, while promoting Buddhism and meditation. How does tea help you during meditation? By examining existing research linking tea compounds to the human brain, we can see how drinking tea promotes the mental qualities required for meditation. Theine reduces the feeling of sleepiness If you've ever meditated, you've probably noticed sleepiness at some point. Relaxing and letting go sometimes leads to states of bliss, but other times it can lead to an unwanted slumber. If you drink a cup of tea at least 30 minutes before meditation, you're less likely to spend the session struggling to stay awake. You'll also be interested to know that the caffeine in tea works differently than the caffeine in coffee. The stimulating effects of theine are released in a more sustained and measured manner, without causing highs and lows or jitters. You can read in-depth about the differences between theine and caffeine in the article "Drink Coffee or Tea? Caffeine or Theine?" . L-theanine increases concentration and calmness L-theanine is an amino acid found in tea that promotes alpha brain wave activity. Alpha waves are associated with a state of calm concentration. Meditation generates alpha waves in the same way that L-theanine does. Perhaps it's no coincidence that matcha tea, the tea with the highest L-theanine content, has been a favorite of Buddhist monks for hundreds of years. If you want to learn more about L-theanine, you can read our article All About L-Theanine: How It Works and Its Benefits. EGCG promotes states of happiness Tea catechins, such as EGCG or epigallocatechin gallate, also have calming and mood-enhancing effects through cannabinoid receptors. These receptors are involved in several physiological processes, including appetite, pain sensation, mood, and memory. These receptors are often activated by exercise, yoga, meditation, or deep breathing. We tell you all about the polyphenols and catechins in tea in our article Antioxidant Components of Tea: Polyphenols and Catechins How to enhance meditation by drinking tea? It is very easy to take advantage of the benefits of tea to enhance meditation. The most important thing is to manage your time. Make sure you drink your tea at least 30 minutes before beginning your meditation, so you give the theine and other compounds in the tea time to take effect. If you enjoy tea, drinking it mindfully, taking time to prepare it, and delighting in its aroma and flavor can be a meditation in itself, and you can use it as a warm-up for the following meditation session. After preparing the tea, sit in a comfortable, quiet place and engage all your senses as you begin to focus your attention on the tea. Think about the feel of the cup, the temperature, the weight. Smell the tea and inhale the aroma, think about the color of the infusion and how the liquid moves inside the cup. Finally, when you take a sip of tea, pay attention to how your body feels, your breathing, your posture, etc. The goal is to focus your attention as much as possible on drinking tea, but do so in a relaxed manner. Once you finish drinking the tea, you can redirect your thoughts to another activity or you can begin your meditation session as you normally would. Enjoy the benefits of tea and meditation Monks may have been the first to link tea and meditation. Historians have established that it was Zen monks who spread tea throughout Asia, while also introducing Buddhism and meditation practices. The benefits of drinking tea and meditating overlap in many cases, so it's no wonder they even enhance each other.

Green tea or matcha, which is better? Both have an intense green color, great health benefits, and are delicious. But when it comes to choosing, what are the differences between conventional green tea and matcha green tea powder?

Today we know that matcha tea is the green tea with the greatest benefits, and this is due to its much higher content of several chemical compounds: L-theanine, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), theine, and vitamin C. Read on to learn a little more about these components and how they influence the properties of matcha tea.