From Zen Tradition To The World Trend, Why Is Matcha A Drink For Healthy Life Lovers?

Illustration (Cha Way May/Pexels)

JAKARTA - Imagine you enjoying a cup of soft green drinks that not only spoil the tongue, but also provide a calm energy that absorbs the body and mind. This is the strength of matcha, a typical Japanese green tea powder that is now part of a modern lifestyle that prioritizes awareness and health. Unlike regular teas that are only brewed with water, matcha allows you to consume the entire refined tea leaves. So that all nutrients such as fiber, chlorophyll, EGCG antioxidants, as well as L-theanine amino acids are perfectly absorbed by the body. This natural combination between caffeine and L-theanine even provides a stable energy boost without such restless effects as when consuming coffee.

Matcha itself has a long history rooted in the Zen Buddhist tradition, where monks drink it to maintain concentration during meditation. The selected tea leaves were planted under the auspices for several weeks to increase their chlorophile levels, then dried to Tencha and ground slowly using a special stone to become a ZARrud green fine powder.

In modern life, matcha is available in three main classes: the purest grade ceremonial to be brewed directly, a premium grade suitable for daily consumption, and a culinary grade commonly used for culinary mixtures such as smoothies, pancake, or ice cream.

The way the presentation is also a calming small ritual, it's enough to powder a lot of matcha into a bowl, add warm water, then shake it using a bamboo risk with a zig-zag movement to make it soft before adding water or milk. Apart from being a drink, matcha is now present in various innovations: mixed into overnight oils, yogurt, salad dressing, until it is used as a natural face mask because of its high antioxidant content.

In order to maintain quality, matcha should be stored in an airtight container and placed in a refrigerator, and consumed within two months after the packaging is opened. In the end, matcha is not just a health trend, but a daily ritual that brings peace in simplicity. One cup reminds us that taking care of yourself doesn't always have to be complicated, sometimes it's enough to take time to sit still, breathe tea's fragrance, and enjoy a slowly walking moment.