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Matcha: A wonderful ingredient for health and beauty.
Matcha, the essence of Japanese Tencha tea leaves, is not just a beverage but a symbol of refined tea culture. Its subtly bitter taste, sweet aftertaste, and numerous health benefits have quickly made matcha a phenomenon among Vietnamese youth. In just a few short years, matcha has risen to the top, surpassing even bubble tea to become the "king" of coffee shops.
Tea leaves are covered to allow only a portion of them to reach sunlight, with the aim of increasing their nutritional content, including amino acids, antioxidants, and chlorophyll. The leaves are then harvested, steamed, dried, and ground into a fine powder.
Matcha contains key nutrients such as vitamins A, C, and K, fiber, protein, and the amino acid l-theanine, which has been shown to help improve sleep and reduce stress.
Matcha is rich in antioxidants (containing 137 times more than regular green tea), making it excellent for boosting the immune system. With its high chlorophyll content and anti-inflammatory properties, matcha is considered a fantastic ingredient in beauty and health care.
Matcha tea is considered a beauty elixir thanks to its powerful antioxidant properties. When consumed regularly as a drink and face mask, it can brighten and rejuvenate the skin. Rich in L-theanine, vitamin C, zinc, and other anti-inflammatory components, matcha is ideal for soothing irritated skin.
According to Healthline, matcha is rich in catechins, a type of plant compound in tea that acts as a natural antioxidant.
Therefore, many beauty products contain this ingredient. For example, matcha shampoo soothes irritated scalps, strengthens and protects hair, and controls dandruff; matcha toners or face creams help maintain the skin's protective barrier; and matcha facial cleansers gently cleanse oily or sensitive skin while balancing and reducing acne and puffiness.
The benefits and warnings of the "super-sized" drink trend.
The matcha craze shows no signs of cooling down, with beverage shops competing to release "giant" matcha lattes. The large size not only provides a visually satisfying and delicious experience, but these cups also become perfect props for creating stunning photos for social media.
Besides new and creative ways of drinking matcha, it's not difficult to find images on social media recently of young people showing off giant matcha latte bottles with huge capacities.
The sight of young people excitedly showing off their "giant" matcha lattes, with capacities up to 1.3 liters, has become all too familiar on social media. This trend has not only spread at lightning speed but has also created a real craze, forcing cafes and bubble tea shops to compete creatively to meet the demands of young people.
While cafes and restaurants are constantly promoting and releasing giant matcha lattes to cater to young people, many users on the Threads platform have voiced their opposition, leading to a fierce debate.
Although matcha is touted for its numerous health benefits, the trend of drinking "super-sized" matcha lattes carries significant risks. The high caffeine content in matcha, when consumed excessively, can cause health problems such as insomnia, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, and even digestive disorders. Furthermore, consuming too much at once is also not good for the digestive system.
A "giant" 1-liter matcha latte contains many times more matcha than the recommended daily amount. Consuming too much caffeine from matcha not only causes sleep and cardiovascular problems but can also lead to nervous system stimulation, anxiety, and stress. Furthermore, the tannins in matcha hinder iron absorption, causing anemia and affecting overall health.
Consuming too much matcha is not good for your health.
Furthermore, the issue of preserving pre-mixed beverages is also a concern. Matcha, when left for extended periods at inappropriate temperatures, can easily deteriorate, lose its distinctive flavor, and pose a risk of bacterial contamination. This is especially dangerous when consumers drink it gradually over several hours or days without paying attention to storage conditions.
While Vietnamese youth are going crazy over giant matcha lattes, in Japan – the birthplace of matcha – people still maintain the tradition of enjoying this tea in a refined and unhurried way. Brewing hot matcha, savoring it sip by sip without adding any toppings is the way to fully appreciate the flavor and spirit of the tea ceremony. The contrast between these two ways of enjoying matcha raises the question of whether modern variations are truly appropriate.
This trend not only attracted a large number of people flocking to find it but also became a "craze" for numerous cafes.
Furthermore, while matcha production in Japan remains stable, the surge in demand fueled by social media hype has put pressure on the product, according to The Guardian. Additionally, tourists visiting Japan to buy matcha have reported that some shops they visited announced they had sold out of matcha during the summer months, leading to a shortage of raw materials. This means it will be difficult for customers to purchase matcha until the next harvest. This situation is occurring in Kyoto, Tokyo, and many other parts of Japan.
Matcha, with its refreshing flavor and high antioxidant content, has become a favorite beverage for many. However, to fully enjoy the benefits this green tea offers, we need to consume it in moderation. Consuming too much matcha can lead to unwanted side effects such as insomnia and rapid heartbeat. Therefore, finding the right dosage and incorporating matcha into a balanced diet is extremely important.
