Why Did Matcha Become a Popular Global Treat?
Sweetened matcha powder has been a staple product in China and Japan for thousands of years. It is believed to have been first cultivated by Buddhist Monks in China and then later brought over to Japan, where it began to take hold and flourish. Zen Buddhist monks would use the tea powder to help them focus while meditating, contributing to matcha being traditionally prepared in a ritualistic manner.
The cultivation and consumption of matcha tea would remain relatively exclusive to East Asia for hundreds of years until global industrial and technological processes allowed for the benefits and appeal of matcha tea to spread. Now, a matcha store near you can be found either in-person or online within minutes.
There is a multitude of factors that contribute to the global rise in the popularity of sweetened matcha powder. It’s partly due to popularity through social media, but that’s not the only reason. Some of these factors include many health benefits, technology, social media, and the caffeinated drink giant Starbucks. With the help of a reputable matcha vendor like Matcha Outlet, you can find some of the best matcha powder available for anything you need.
Social Media and Technology
For hundreds of years, connecting people and trade had been very slow and limited to how long someone could physically traverse vast distances. While spices and goods had made their way around the globe on ships and caravans, many things, like a matcha vendor, were still very guarded and exclusive.
Fast forward a few more centuries and global industrialization and technological advancements gave the world’s population increasingly speedy forms of transportation of goods and information, i.e., airplanes and the internet.
As we’ve entered the age of information at your fingertips, the science and benefits of healthy eating have come to the forefront and infiltrated nearly every aspect of social media. Fad diets and superfoods have become trending topics, influencing millions of consumers daily.
Although green tea with matcha powder from Starbucks was added to their menus around 2005, they were not a hot commodity until a few years later. An Instagram post by movie star and CEO/founder of the wellness company known as Goop, Gywneth Paltrow, is often credited to have been the spark that started the explosion of the popularity of sweetened matcha powder in the US.
Since that post, the color of matcha has made its presence known across all social platforms. With its characteristic bright color and trendy “it girl” association, matcha powder from Starbucks has appeared in thousands of aesthetic posts and contributed to the increasing demand for matcha across the globe.
While many people choose to drink matcha to try out the latest health trend, its distinct flavor, coloring, and associated health benefits have helped it stay around as a growing competitor to coffee worldwide. The matcha market in the US is projected to exceed a value of USD 2 billion by 2025. An outstanding matcha store like Matcha Outlet offers more than just matcha for drinking.
Health Benefits of Matcha Powder
In recent years, there has been an increase in scientific research demonstrating the importance and benefits of healthy eating and lifestyles. Because of this, many consumers have been searching for healthier alternatives to the traditional caffeinated drinks of coffee and energy drinks. This is one of the biggest reasons for the booming popularity of sweetened matcha powder. While it has been known for quite a while that green tea has many health benefits, matcha green tea powder arguably has a few more than just the standard green tea.
Although matcha powder comes from the same plant as traditional green tea leaves, matcha green tea plants are purposely grown in the shade to force the plant to generate more chlorophyll, contributing to its unique bright green color and robust flavor. After harvesting and removing the stems and veins from the tea leaves, what is left is ground into the fine powder we know as matcha, giving it a more complete nutrient profile that your body can easily absorb and utilize.
Antioxidant-Rich
Because you are consuming the entire tea leaf when you drink or eat sweetened matcha powder, none of the incredible components of the tea leaf are wasted.
The antioxidants, like catechins, found in matcha powder help your body combat the damaging effects of high levels of free radicals (atoms that can destabilize your cells and cause chronic and degenerative illness).
While it is not a cure-all made from fairy dust, incorporating matcha powder from Matcha Outlet into your routine can help boost your body’s immune system.
The Versatility of Matcha Powder
One of the advantages of matcha powder is that there are different classifications that can be used in an assortment of ways. While its original usage was for tea ceremonies and it later became a popular choice for lattes, matcha can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways.
At Matcha Outlet, we offer three different grades, or types, of sweetened matcha powder: ceremonial, premium/latte, and culinary. The culinary grade of matcha is fantastic for incorporating the unique matcha flavor into cocktails, ice cream, pastries, and more!
Encourages Weight Loss and Maintenance
While many scientists believe that more studies are needed to confirm this correlation, the scientific community has reached a consensus that the nutrients found in green tea and matcha products can help you lose weight.
Some studies have shown that matcha tea increases the amount of energy that your body spends while reducing fat absorption. It does this through your body’s natural process of thermogenesis, which is the “burning” of calories to generate heat and provide you with energy.
While there are many more health benefits associated with the consumption of sweetened matcha powder, they are not the only factors that contribute to its popularity.
The Versatility of Matcha Powder
One of the advantages of matcha powder is that there are different classifications that can be used in an assortment of ways. While its original usage was for tea ceremonies and it later became a popular choice for lattes, matcha can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways.
At Matcha Outlet, we offer three different grades, or types, of sweetened matcha powder: ceremonial, premium/latte, and culinary. The culinary grade of matcha is fantastic for incorporating the unique matcha flavor into cocktails, ice cream, pastries, and more!
How Matcha Outlet Makes Matcha Accessible
At Matcha Outlet, we offer an assortment of matcha grades ideal for any recipe or Instagram-worthy green latte. With competitive prices and high-quality ingredients from China and Japan, you can rest assured that you will find the matcha you need on our website. If you are looking to try matcha for the first time, you should consider trying our sample pack to help you find the right flavor for your taste.
And if you are looking to get matcha for your bakery or coffee shop, we also offer our matcha wholesale. Visit our website to explore our options, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.