Most days, Dominique Fluker begins her mornings with matcha. The powdered green tea that is native to Japan has become a mainstay in the Los Angeles-based journalist’s morning routine after first trying it at a wellness event about a month ago.
“I was instantly hooked because I didn’t have a crash-and-burn at 2 p.m. like I usually do with coffee,” she shares. “I didn’t have to refuel and buy more caffeine later in the day.”
On top of that, Fluker says matcha has helped mellow out her moods and, combined with her Pilates practice, she feels more grounded in her body.
“I work for an East Coast publication, so I start my days at 4:30 in the morning. I’m up writing, editing and covering news and doing it all. Then I go to school three times a week in the afternoons,” Fluker explains. “So my energy has to be there, my focus has to be there. And matcha has done a lot for me and my digestive system.”
Fluker is far from the only matcha fanatic. A report published by Reports and Data determined the global matcha tea market was worth $3.27 billion in 2021, and popularity has only grown since then. But do the wellness promises deliver? We looked into the benefits of matcha.
What is matcha?
Matcha is made from shade-grown tea leaves that are picked, steamed and then dried before being ground into a fine powder, explains Dr. Raghu Kiran Appasani, mental health advisor to MUDWTR, integrative and addiction psychiatrist, and founder of The MINDS Foundation.
“Matcha is traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies and is known for its vibrant green color, delicate flavor, and unique health benefits,” he says. “The shade-growing process increases the chlorophyll and amino acid content of the tea leaves, which gives matcha its distinct umami taste and nutritional properties.”