Why matcha green tea is causing a stir

Writing assignment for SABON (previously unpublished)

Okay, we need to spill the tea. 🍵​

It turns out that matcha, an ingredient commonly used in teas and smoothies, can do a whole lot more than reduce stress. The distinctive green powder comes from the Camellia Sinensis plant, which is naturally rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. In high enough concentrations, these nutrients help to purify and detox the skin, while boosting energy and cell metabolism. In other words, your skin is in for a real treat!

​But the health benefits don’t end there. Beneath the surface, antioxidants in matcha tea work to strengthen your immune system so it can ward off those pesky free radicals you’ve been warned about. You know, the ones that eat away at your skin’s collagen, causing fine lines, wrinkles, and other unflattering skin blemishes.

As far as superfoods go, matcha green tea is practically unmatched in its detoxifying and purifying capabilities—a fact that has not gone unnoticed by health professionals.

Steeped in tradition​​

Here in the West, we’re only just waking up to the incredible health benefits of matcha green tea. But matcha has been around for well over 800 years and has been a central part of the traditional tea ceremony in Japan for centuries. Today, the Japanese still practice this ancient ritual as a way to promote mindfulness, respect, and tranquility. They even use authentic tools such as the ceremonial tea bowl, bamboo whisk, and measuring ladle, just as their ancestors did.

​A matcha made in heaven

There are a couple of major differences that set matcha apart from other teas. For one thing, matcha, which literally means “powdered tea”, is made by grinding the whole tea leaf into a refined, talc-like powder, allowing it to retain its nutrient-dense composition. Regular unflavored tea, by comparison, is created from dried bits of the leaf, losing much of its goodness in the process.

Another distinction is in the preparation. Unlike regular green tea bags, which are steeped, matcha powder is mixed directly into the water (it doesn’t technically dissolve). That means 100% of the health-giving nutrients get infused rather than the usual 5-10%. You’re essentially drinking the whole plant, as nature intended.

Turn over a new leaf

If the slightly bitter, vegetal taste of matcha isn’t your, er, cup of tea, there are other ways to enjoy its purifying properties.

SABON's limited-edition Blissful Green collection, for example, combines matcha tea with notes of mandarin, jasmine, and vanilla, creating a soothing, refreshing scent. Like the fine mist of a botanical garden in spring, our products will help flush all those nasty toxins out of your body, and leave your skin feeling rejuvenated and radiant.