I love the change of seasons, don’t you? Winter is a time to get cozy, reflect, dream.

Today is the second day of freestyle exercise, if you are following the exercise plan. Tomorrow is an aerobic day. However, you should feel comfortable switching days around so long as you get the minimums in per week.

It’s also a great time to do some experimenting with new foods and tastes. I’ve been seeing a lot of something called matcha lately, in drinks and desserts especially.

What Is Matcha?

I was curious to find out more. Well, it looks like I’m late to the party as usual! Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs has a really informative article about matcha that has got me up to speed. Basically, matcha is powdered green tea, and you eat it rather than just steeping and discarding the tea leaves. This means that you are consuming more of the green tea’s antioxidants.

Matcha’s Caffeine Content

1 teaspoon (2 grams) of matcha has about 70 mg of caffeine. This is the amount used in 8 oz. of hot water to make matcha tea.

By comparison, a cup of coffee has about 95-165 mg, depending on variety and preparation. Brewed green tea has about 25-29 mg of caffeine. (Source: Mayo Clinic)

So, matcha is a moderate source of caffeine, and you should keep that in mind as you incorporate it into your diet.

Does It Taste Good?

At the market, you will find an array of matcha products. There are, among others, premixed tea drinks, flavored and unflavored; matcha latte drinks; and tins of pure matcha.

Going for the pure powder allows you to control how much sugar and other ingredients you are consuming.

A simple matcha tea is made by measuring 1 tsp. matcha powder to 8 oz. of just-boiling water. The powder will want to settle, so keep your spoon handy and stir frequently.

As you might expect, matcha tastes just like a good cup of green tea. If you like your tea with sugar and/or milk, go for it. Just try keep your sugar consumption under control.

Now that you’ve got your antioxidant-rich cup of tea in hand, grab that novel you’ve been wanting to start and make yourself cozy for a quiet afternoon looking out at the snow.

?

This post is not intended to offer medical advice. Check with your doctor before beginning any diet or exercise plan.

© 2018 auntjoannblog.com. All rights reserved. See Legalese tab for permissions.