Matcha is a bright green, high-antioxidant, Japanese, powdered green tea.
It is traditionally used in tea ceremonies. It is grown under shade three weeks before harvest to increase its flavor, vitamins and antioxidants. Then all the stems and veins are removed from the leaves, by hand, and it is then ground into a fine powder.
 |
| Healing Butterfly's Matcha Butter Cookies, Palm Beach, Fla., Copyright 2019 by Helen A Lockey |
Matcha's claimed health benefits are increased mental clarity, appetite suppression, cholesterol lowering, relaxation (with L-theanine), and increased energy without the jitters of coffee.
There are two grades of matcha powder: culinary ($10 per ounce or less) and ceremonial ($96 per ounce or more).
The unsweetened flavor can take a bit of getting used to. So if you aren’t sure, consider going to your local healthy restaurant/coffee shop/food truck and ordering something that includes matcha. Then you can eat, drink and be merry without breaking the bank on something you might not love.
Here are some South Florida suggestions.
 |
| BunkHouse Coffee Bar's 7-layer MatchaChocolate Cake, Jensen Beach, Fla. Copyright 2019 by HelenA. Lockey |
Eat a slice of a 7-layer chocolate, matcha cake ($6) at BunkHouse Coffee Bar in Jensen Beach, FL.
 |
| Healing Butterfly's Matcha Latte, Palm Beach, Fla., Copyright 2019 by Helen A Lockey |
Drink an organic matcha latte with almond milk and maple syrup like the one that Healing Butterfly™ served at Localecopia last year. They sell matcha products online on their website or at Amazon.
Or you can go to Perk Coffee House (in Tequesta) and get their Energy Latte ($5.00) made with matcha, meringa and reishi.
 |
| Vintage Pops Matcha Mint frozen pop, Hollywood, Fla., Copyright 2019 by Helen A Lockey |
Be Merry with a Mint Matcha frozen dessert pop ($3) with Vintage Pops in Hollywood, made with organic peppermint oil, and coconut milk. You find where they are through their Facebook page, twitter, or Instagram account.
If you are feeling adventurous buy some matcha at your local grocery store or online. Bring some water to just under a boil (boiling water will make it bitter), and whisk (to stop it from being lumpy) some powdered (better than tea bags) matcha into the water. Steep for a minute or so, and enjoy straight or with your favorite sweetener.
