Matcha Q & A
By Rebekah Winquest
1.I have a high metabolism. I am concerned that Matcha will cause me to lose weight.
As a nutritionist I have worked with many clients both needing to lose weight and others with a faster metabolism just trying to maintain a healthy balance and both have been successful with Matcha. It has to do with the quantity you use and when you take it. For example, those trying to lose weight I will have them drink it prior to a meal to healp cleanse and satiate their appetite or have it in the afternoon when they are hungry instead of a larger meal.
I too have a quick metabolism and weight loss is not my goal but have had a very successful and healthy relationship with Matcha for the past 12 years :) I would recommend 1/2 teaspoon of Matcha about 2x/day for increasing energy and stress reduction. I use it for the same purposes and always add Matcha to a morning shake that is a full meal with fruit, protein powder, yogurt, green superfoods, chia seeds,etc. I think the key for you is to not just drink matcha by itself with only say milk and water. When it is combined with a meal you will experience the endurance and the L-Theanine will go to work on your central nervous system to bring balance, reduce stress and improve focus.
2. I am on blood pressure medication for hypertension. Would it be safe for me to drink Matcha?
What I tell all of my clients in your situation is to first always check with their doctor before taking a new product like Matcha while on medication. But my profession opinion and understanding is that Matcha is very safe for those with hypertension and I have known many clients who have been able to get off meds and use Matcha and a healthy diet instead. I would recommend drinking your Matcha tea at a separate time from taking your medication.
3. I purchased a daily deal and received two 60gram bags of tea. Isn’t this a small amount for the price?
Each 60gram bag of plain Matcha is 60, 1/2 tsp servings. Even though the bags might not appear like a great amount of tea it is actually more than you might realize. With the flavored Matcha blends the serving size is 1/2-1 Tbsp. If you are new to Matcha and would like to read further at our site about how to use it and the comparison between Matcha and regular steeped tea here is a link: https://www.gotmatcha.com/questions_answers.htmlKeep in mind that Matcha green tea is very different from regular green tea and a little bit goes a long way. You only need to add about 1/2 tsp Matcha per cup of heated water/milk. Matcha green tea, especially organic, is the most expensive tea to harvest and grind on the market. It takes days of drying and grinding and it takes a very large amount of Matcha tea leaves to create just 1 tsp of powdered Matcha.
Here is a little background on Matcha: Although Matcha is a distant relative to traditional steeped green tea leaves this is a completely different food. With Matcha you are drinking a whole food that is packed with so many vitamins, minerals, nutrients, antioxidants and even amino acids that it could literally sustain your body energetically and nutritionally for hours at a time. Matcha, which means “powdered tea”, is made from aged green tea leaves which are then harvested, steamed and dried. They are later ground into a fine bright green powder, known as Matcha.
4. I have never before heard of this tea. Is it that healthy? What are the benefits?
You are fortunate to have found Matcha. As a nutritionist I have personally used it for about 15 years and have every one of my nutrition clients on it. I have researched all there is to know about Matcha and tried just about every company and variety out there and when I found Got Matcha I fell in love with their quality and flavored blends.
Anyways, Matcha is not only healthy but considered an ancient superfood which means it does more than provide energy but it nourishes and balances the entire body. It is the healthiest form of caffeine out there and actually the caffeine is completely different compared to coffee and black tea...Matcha's caffeine is not acidic and does not disrupt the body's nervous system. It is actually beneficial and gives Matcha many of its health qualities.
I have used it for clients for weight management, cleansing, digestive health, depression, anxiety, lack of focus and clarity and even those with high cholesterol and high blood pressure. This is a whole food that the body can use in many ways depending on what the body needs to restore balance. Plus it gives amazing 3-4 hours of energy and endurance which is wonderful for a mom like myself :)
I personally advocate healthy eating (about 70% raw foods) to my clients and encourage organic which is why I love this Matcha so much because it is organic and pure. The entire Got Matcha staff is very health conscience and Matcha is an important part to all of our daily healthy lifestyles. I am sure you will have more questions but 1st here is a link that you might find helpful: https://www.gotmatcha.com/are_you_new_to_matcha.html
5.I have hypothyroidism and a slow metabolism. I have tried everything but cannot fix the problem.
I have had many clients with similar issues as yourself and believe me you can undo the damage you have done to your body via extreme dieting, etc. Going on a "diet" is generally more of the culprit than anything. 99% of weight loss diets are all short term and will mess up the metabolism. It sounds like you are out of balance and between your underactive thyroid and slow metabolism that is keeping the weight on. I have seen this a lot so you are not alone!
Matcha tea is one of the few weight loss aids that I actually recommend to my clients, especially those with hypothyroidism. Matcha can really help you. I would drink Matcha no less than 2 or ideally 3 times/day. For you I would recommend the Lemon Ginger and the Chai flavours because they both focus on cleansing, digestion and more on weight loss than the other flavours. The plain of course would work too but if you could have a large water bottle with the Matcha blends already added and you could drink it throughout the day that should really help. 1/2 hour before and after meals are the best times. Also I would recommend adding Matcha to a morning shake with protein powder, coconut water, berries and maybe kefir too. If you really want to get crazy and make your morning shake you can do what I do and also add green supefoods like wheat grass and spirulina.
1000 calories/day is very low and you have to be very careful because this will slow down your metabolism if you are not chosing your foods carefully and ideally not going any lower than 1200 calories. But my philosophy is to not focus as much on the calorie count but more about the quality of food choices. For example, I have my clients eating avocados, lots of raw coconut oil, sprouted nuts, etc. which are all foods most weight loss diets avoid because they are high fat/calorie. It is about being balanced and eating foods that help to cleanse, satiate the appetite, give energy and not "stick" to the body like glue :)
6. Do your products contain sugar?
We add absolutely no regular sugar to our blends. Yes they are sweetened but only with coconut sugar and stevia...both are raw, 100% natural and do not affect the blood sugar or add to weight gain. As a Holistic Nutritionist these are 2 of the main sweeteners I will recommend to my clients and they really are natural unlike splenda and other artificial sweeteners claim to be. I even give these sweeteners to my boys under 4. But if are looking for Matcha that has no sweetness in taste then you would need to stick with the plain Ceremonial Matcha.
I read that matcha lowers blood pressure. I have low blood pressure and was concern. Do you know if this will lower it to the point that I need be concerned?
There is no need to worry. Matcha can help lower blood pressure only in the case that someone as high triglyceride levels and therefore high blood pressure due to unhealthy cholesterol levels and fat build up in the arteries. Matcha dos not force the body to randomly drop its blood pressure. If anything it will help the body maintain its natural balance.
7.How does Matcha assist with weight loss?
As a nutritionist I feel that Matcha is one of the few foods in nature that definitely assists the body with weight loss. I recommend Matcha tea to all of my weight loss clients and it truly makes a difference while improving health and energy simultaneously. After having both of my sons I was unable to work out to help burn off the post-baby weight but through healthy eating and drinking 3 servings of Matcha every day I was back to my normal weight within the first 4 months. The key with Matcha is to be diligent with it . If you randomly have a cup of Matcha every other day then all it will do is provide energy along with the other health benefits but it will not facilitate weight loss. At minimum you should have 1/2-1 tsp of Matcha twice per day; ideally 3 servings daily will have the biggest impact on your metabolism and fat storage cleansing. After 3-4 weeks you will begin to notice a difference but don't expect to lose 15 pounds in one month. Matcha works gradually and naturally and is a long term solution.
8. Can children drink Matcha?
I generally don't recommend Matcha for kids before they are in their teens unless they are doing intense training for a sport or something and use Matcha prior for energy. It is not that the Matcha will harm a child by any means but the amount of energy and endurance that Matcha provides, for up to 4 hours, is generally more than children need and if anything they usually have too much energy. Because Matcha helps to increase the metabolism and aid in natural cleansing, that is another reason to be careful with kids, even teenagers unless they are overweight. Of course always check with your pediatrician first before introducing anything new such as Matcha.
9.How do I prepare a cup of Matcha?
Matcha green tea is considered a whole food product - the special Matcha tea leaves are dried and ground into a powder. This is a powder that dissolves into liquid. Although Matcha is a distant relative to traditional steeped green tea leaves this is a completely different food. With Matcha you are drinking a whole food that is packed with so many vitamins, minerals, nutrients, antioxidants and even amino acids that it could literally sustain your body energetically and nutritionally for hours at a time. Matcha, which means "powdered tea", is made from aged green tea leaves which are then harvested, steamed and dried. They are later ground into a fine bright green powder, known as Matcha.
10.I have heard that Cow’s milk destroys the benefits of Matcha. Is this true?
Yes that is correct. The calcium in cow's milk will counteract the absorption of many of the beneficial nutrients and antioxidants in Matcha. That is why I always advise my clients to mix it with almond, coconut or hemp milk as an alternative. Soy is my least favorite choice because it is so hard on digestion and very acidic for the body while slowing down the absorption of the Matcha.
I was so disappointed when I read the FAQ about calcium interacting with the matcha. I use it practically every day in my morning smoothie with almond milk. I have not been able to find an almond or coconut milk w/o the added calcium. If this is not a good way to use the matcha, can you suggest some alternatives.
When I wrote about this issue with Calcium at Got Matcha's website my main concern was related to the calcium in Cow's milk. Cow's milk calcium is very disruptive in the body and makes it difficult for the body to absorb most minerals taken at the same time. So my opinion is that if you can only find almond or coconut milk with calcium added that should be fine. The calcium citrate that is generally used is not dairy-based. We always mix our Matcha with coconut water for a cold drink and almond, coconut or hemp milk for our hot lattes. We usually buy Pacific almond and hemp milk. So please don't worry as long as you are not using cow's milk with your Matcha you are still absorbing the nutrients.
11. Do any of your teas contain gluten?
Let me assure you that our products are gluten-free. Where the Matcha is grown high up in the mountains there is no chance of any cross-pollination as organic Matcha is the only crop grown in the area and grains would not be able to grow in the area/climate. Our spices are also gluten-free that we use in the Matcha blends. I have a few clients with Celiac Disease who have used this product successfully for years.
12.Can Matcha interfere with the absorption and activity of prescription medication?
Since Matcha is not a supplement but actually a whole food it does not have any more contraindications with medication than other foods like greens or teas like regular green tea. The only thing I can say is that Matcha is a natural blood thinner so those on blood thinning medication naturally should not drink Matcha. I know that many people have been able to get off of blood thinners because of Matcha. It is always recommended to check with a doctor before starting a new food or product when on medication to be safe of course and I always advise that.
13.How do you recommend storing Matcha?
Matcha can lose its nutritional value if not stored properly but as long as it is in the right type of container and refrigerated it will stay fresh up to 1 year if unopened. If opened, up to 6 months. Here is a link to our site that talks about storing Matcha: https://www.gotmatcha.com/preparing_storing_matcha.html . Here is essentially what is said at our site..."Matcha tea is extremely sensitive to light and heat. The delicate, young tea leaves are ground as soon as they are picked in Japan. Once ground, this fresh Matcha tea powder is vacuum packed. Once opened and exposed to light/air/heat, the Matcha tea powder will begin to oxidize rapidly, so we suggest keeping your Matcha in the refrigerator. Our bags are air-tight and light proof, so your tea should last up to 6 months."
14.I am loving your teas but am wondering if you have any suggestions for blending them better? I find that I have a lots of “chunks” at the bottom of my cup which I don’t want to waste?
Regarding dissolving the Matcha...Because Matcha is a "whole food" ground into a powder it is normal for there to be some sediment. However there are various things you can try to minimize the sediment in the bottom of your cup that I do personally and advise to my clients: The best way to have the least sediment in the bottom of your mug is to either blend it in the blender with cold milk (non-dairy) for a few seconds and then boil it over the stove top in a pan OR; while bringing the milk to a boil in a pan, add the Matcha, use a whisk and stir constantly while the milk comes to a boil. I even make cold Matcha drinks where I put milk and water into a shaker (cup with lid), add the Matcha, shake vigorously and then it will be well blended and tastes delicious. I generally like about 2/3 almond or coconut milk to 1/3 water, stevia or coconut sweetener, 1/2-1 tsp Matcha, few dashes cinnamon/vanilla - blend then heat. However, the blends like the lemon-ginger chai, pumpkin and cacao flavors blend easily- simply blending them with milk and heating is perfect, there is very little sediment. Another favorite way to plain Matcha is to add it to a smoothie - we do this every morning and you can't even taste the Matcha.
15. When are the best times to drink Matcha? I am concerned about drinking Matcha in the evening and then sleeping well.
You definitely have to be careful with drinking Matcha after dinner time. I have a new baby and a 3 year old and was so tired the other evening that I drank a full teaspoon of plain Matcha and was up for hours writing and cleaning. So unless you are wanting to be production for next few hours after drinking Matcha I wouldn't advise a full serving, especially if you have sleeping problems. The best thing you can do for your evening meal is to focus on drinking 1/2 serving or more 1/2-1 hour BEFORE dinner that way it can help with the fat digestion, curb the appetite and cleansing and then you won't have to worry as much about drinking it after dinner and being alert for hours. Since Matcha flows through your bloodstream for up to 4 hours I would at minimum drink it at least 4 hours before bedtime. However, if you are really sensitive I would start off more cautious and work up: Maybe try Matcha first thing in the morning, then late morning or right after lunch and then again between and 4 pm as your last matcha drink. Only have a 1/2 serving between 2 and 4 just to be cautious. Try that for a couple days and see how it affects you. You can always back down on amounts or omit the 3rd afternoon Matcha drink.
16.I was wondering why the difference in price between the Matcha Ceremonial Tea and the Matcha Lemon Ginger. The Lemon Ginger also requires 1 tbs and the Ceremonial only 1 tsp. Is one stronger than the other?
Each 80gram bag of plain organic ceremonial Matcha is 80, 1/2 tsp servings. Matcha green tea is very different from regular green tea and a little bit goes a long way. You only need to add about 1/2 tsp Matcha per cup of heated milk. Matcha green tea, especially organic, is the most expensive tea to harvest and grind on the market. It takes days of drying and grinding and it takes a very large amount of Matcha tea leaves to create just 1 tsp of powdered Matcha. This is why plain Matcha is more expensive than any of the flavored Matcha tea blends
Each flavored Matcha blend, such as the Lemon-Ginger, contains about 1 teaspoon of Matcha per 1 Tbsp serving of the flavored blend. The blends cost less because you have all of the other ingredients such as the coconut sugar, herbs and spices which are not as costly as Matcha.
So 1tsp of plain ceremonial Matcha will be just as strong as 1 Tbsp of one of the Matcha flavored blends. With a bag of plain Matcha it will definitely last longer because there are more servings.
17.I purchased the Weight Loss Tea Pkg daily deal. I just received my tea however I am a bit uncertain as to how to incorporate the two teas into my daily routine. Should I be taking both teas throughout the day, the lemon and premium or only one kind? I'm just not sure what to do with both for the most benefit.
First I want to make sure that you downloaded your free e-book about Weight loss and Matcha...this will answer a lot of your questions. All of the Matcha tea whether the plain or flavored one including the lemon-ginger weight loss will all facilitate weight loss. The new lemon-ginger weight loss blend is of course ideal because it has other ingredients added that are also beneficial for weight loss. The plain organic original Matcha is also extremely beneficial.
This is my favorite and the most natural product I have come across for weight loss. I have recommended it for over 10 years and my clients have had great results with this whole food tea. I recommend that you work up to 3 servings daily of 1 tsp Matcha each time. If this is your first time taking it then you might need to start with 1/4-1/2 tsp at a time. The Matcha blends such as the Lemon Ginger have about 1 tsp Matcha per serving (rounded tablespoon). I drink the plain Matcha first thing in the morning added to a smoothie; The Lemon-Ginger about 1/2 hour after lunch to aid in digestion and cleansing; and again the Lemon-Ginger late afternoon for energy and to help curb the appetite before dinner. This is what I do and most of my clients do. Even if you can only drink the Matcha 2x/day it will still be affective - I always have it in the morning and late afternoon. The Lemon-Ginger flavor is specifically designed for weight loss and can help facilitate your goals even quicker.
Have the lemon-ginger at least once/day. A great way to get your 1-2 servings of the Lemon-Ginger Matcha is to keep it with you all day mixed with plain water or even coconut water in a bottle or shaker cup and sip throughout the day. This approach is very effective.
18.Do you have other suggestions on ways to drink the Matcha.
I drink it first thing in the morning added to a smoothie that I make with green superfoods, protein, etc. This is a perfect way to drink the plain organic Matcha. To make the plain Matcha as a latte... I always advise to my clients who are trying it for the first time to whisk it in a pot of about 2/3 almond/coconut milk to 1/3 water and bring to a simmer/boil. I don't advise mixing it with dairy because it minimizes the antioxidant benefits. If you add pure stevia or coconut nectar (both natural and do not affect the blood sugar) it really helps to create a creamy and delicious treat along with minimizing bitterness. You could also add to your latte cinnamon and/or vanilla for flavor.
The flavored Matcha Blends...
The Matcha blends have about 1 tsp Matcha per serving (rounded tablespoon). Because these are already flavored and sweetened this is actually the best for making a hot latte. You simply whisk 1/2-1 Tbsp of the flavor of choice into a pan with 1-2 cups of part milk and part water and heat, that is all. They do taste great in smoothies or even drunk cold in a shaker cup with a lid and almond milk...delicious.
How to use plain Matcha vs. the flavored Matcha Blends...
I would advise adding the plain matcha to your shake every morning and then late morning and/or afternoon drink the flavored blend. I always advise to clients trying to lose weight to drink a flavored Matcha blend about 1/2 hour after lunch to aid in digestion and cleansing; and again late afternoon for energy and to help curb the appetite before dinner. Even if you can only drink the Matcha 2x/day it will still be affective - I always have it in the morning and late afternoon. The Lemon-Ginger flavor is specifically designed for weight loss and can help facilitate your goals even quicker.
19.Can you drink Matcha if you are taking beta blockers for high blood pressure?
From what I know any type of caffeine, including that in green tea, should not be combined with beta blockers. It could have an opposite effect. Although the caffeine in Matcha is different compared to regular green tea it still stimulates the body so to be safe I would advise against it or ask your health care provider.
20.What happens when this tea upsets my stomach? Is this normal? I tried the green tea with some soy milk, like instructed and have a hard time with it. Can some people’s bodies just not handle this?
Unfortunately it can be common in the beginning for the stomach to get a bit unsettled as the body adjusts to Matcha's concentrated nutrients, benefits and digestive/cleansing abilities. For some it can take a month or so to adjust. I would recommend that you drink Matcha not combined with almond, coconut or hemp milk - soy is hard on the digestive system and is not the best match for Matcha. Make sure you don't drink it first thing in the morning on a completely empty stomach. Try having breakfast first and then about 20 minutes later have the Matcha - this should help a lot and then gradually you can have it first thing. I actually like to add the plain matcha to my morning smoothie! Lastly, cut back to 1/4 tsp and after 2 weeks up it to 1/2 teaspoon and then after a month he can gradually increase to 1/2-1 teaspoon if desired. But it is not necessary to drink 1 tsp at a time to experience the benefits.
I understand that the taste of Matcha is strong. I have been drinking it for over 10 years and in the beginning I found it a bit too bitter and strong for my palate but now I am so used to it and have found many ways to make it delicious. My husband was similar to yourself with his reaction at first but now he craves it daily and will drink it simply shaken in a shaker cup with almond milk, water and stevia and drink it as a cold drink before workouts or for that afternoon energy boost. One thing great with Got Matcha's tea is that their Matcha is the least bitter that I have tasted compared to about 15 companies I have used over the years. Plus, the blends are the best. By combining the spices and sweetener with the Matcha, in my opinion, that makes the Matcha taste amazing and I have yet to find a new Matcha drinker that doesn't love it.
Here are my favorite ways to make and enjoy Matcha: The best way to have the least sediment in the bottom of your mug is to either blend it in the blender with cold milk for a few seconds and then boil it over the stove top in a pan OR; while bringing the milk to a boil in a pan, add the Matcha, use a whisk and stir constantly while the milk comes to a boil. I even make cold Matcha drinks where I put milk and water into a shaker (cup with lid), add the Matcha, shake vigorously and then it will be well blended and tastes delicious. I generally like about 2/3 almond or coconut milk to 1/3 water, stevia or coconut sweetener, 1/2-1 tsp Matcha, few dashes cinnamon/vanilla - blend then heat. However, try the blends like the chai, pumpkin and cacao flavors - simply blending them with milk and heating is perfect. Another way to get the plain Matcha down is to add it to a smoothie - we do this every morning and you can't even taste the Matcha.