“We know about the health benefits of green tea, but matcha is a better form of it and more research is needed on its benefits,” says Canadian nutritionist Miranda Galati. “Macha is actually a powder made by grinding green tea leaves. In Japan, this powder is mixed with hot water or milk to make a traditional drink that is served at various events. In recent years, the use of this green powder has undergone a revolution, and it is now being used in hot and iced lattes, desserts and even skin care products. Matcha is a type of green tea made from the leaves of the tea plant Camellia sinensis. Unlike regular green tea, which is made from loose leaves or tea bags, matcha is made by finely grinding these green leaves and adding them to hot water or milk in powder form.

Matcha is rich in antioxidants, which help prevent damage to your body’s cells and reduce the risk of serious or chronic diseases. A study published by scientists at Konkuk University in Seoul, South Korea, found that matcha contains ten times more antioxidants than regular green tea. There is a slight difference between green tea and matcha because green tea helps with weight loss due to its antioxidants. Research shows that green tea improves your metabolism, that is, the process of digesting food, and helps burn fat. Typically, one tablespoon of matcha powder contains 38 mg to 176 mg of caffeine, which is less than the amount of caffeine found in a cup of regular or traditional tea.