The world of Tzu Chi Jan-Feb 2022 (Vol.139)

2022 • 02 50 ellness Translated by Lee Hung Jiew Is ere a Di erence Between Green Tea and Matcha Tea? When one drinks green tea, one consumes the liquid prepared by steeping green tea leaves in hot water. On the other hand, to brew matcha tea, the ground green tea powder is added into hot water. Thus, the tea leaves are ingested along with the liquid. One might wonder: are the health benefits of Green Tea and Matcha Tea the same? N ot long ago, an old classmate shared with me his joy of developing the habit of brewing and drinking tea. His sharing made me reflect that never in my memory had my own family ever sat together to brew or drink tea over a conversation. My father prefers coffee over tea. I firmly remember how he would hold the saucer with his left hand, the cup in his right, drinking coffee in small sips. Tea does not exist in my childhood memory. My old classmate introduced to me some teas that he felt was beneficial for health and recommended that I give them a try. However, it was put on hold as I did not have any tea brewing set at home. Interestingly, one fine day, I bought a small tin of matcha powder, originally for baking, but was tempted to make myself a cup of tea due to the inviting fragrance. I measured the required amount of matcha powder, sifted it into a bowl, gradually pouring in some hot water and unhurriedly aerated the tea with a chasen (whisk). As I inhaled the aroma of the tea, I moved the chasen back and forth, applying strength from my wrist, to create the froth. When I drank the tea, I actually felt the satisfaction that my old classmate mentioned. It was indeed a wonderful experience. The following day, longing for the charming tea aroma, I could not help making myself a cup of tea again, and deliberately added it to some warmed milk. I watched attentively for a few seconds, as the green liquid blended with the creamy white milk. It felt just the same as reading, as the process not only gradually calmed my heart, but there was an inexplicable sense of abundance and a resultant therapeutic feeling. Both green tea and matcha are cultivated from the Camellia sinensis plant, but they are processed differently. In general, freshly harvested tea leaves are sent for steaming and drying to halt oxidation, producing the end product that most people are familiar with— the green tea. It is a common misconception that matcha tea is just green tea that has been ground into powder. Although matcha tea is derived from the same plant species as green tea, it is cultivated and handled differently. About three weeks before harvest, tea growers will cover the trees in shade. In other words, matcha tea leaves are picked from trees that are not directly exposed to the sun. After that, the matcha tea leaves are destemmed, deveined and finally ground into powder. As they are raised in shades and little sunlight, the chlorophyll levels in the tea