| Green tea powder is made from the whole leaf of the | | | | are then made into a fine ground powder. If it comes |
| Camellia sinensis plant. Often it will include the veins and | | | | from Japan the green tea powder is known as |
| stems of the leaf. It is milled from the leaf to make a | | | | matcha. |
| powder. This powder can be used for making mixes | | | | Green tea powder can be purchased in many |
| for baking, cooking and even soaps and candles as | | | | markets world wide. It is used in many recipes today |
| well as drinks. It is also used in some cosmetics. | | | | to give a wonderful flavor to such things as cookies, |
| It is believed green tea powder was invented in China | | | | cakes, puddings, ice cream, milk shakes, smoothies, |
| in the tenth or eleventh century. Through Buddhism it | | | | lattes and of course tea. Even some alcoholic |
| spread to Japan. It came to be called Zen by the | | | | beverages today have included it in their drinks. |
| Japanese. A sixteenth century tea master (Sen no | | | | Green tea powder presents numerous health benefits. |
| Rikyu) put together the rules of the renowned tea | | | | The research that has been conducted around the |
| ceremony. It was specified that matcha was the only | | | | world has revealed this fact. It can be used as a |
| tea to use for this ceremony. Matcha green tea | | | | weight loss supplement as part of your weight loss |
| comes from Japan. | | | | plan. It also increases the metabolism rate helping the |
| A few weeks before the tea bushes are harvested | | | | body to burn more fat thus another way it can aid in |
| they are sheltered from direct sunlight while at the | | | | weight loss. It contains the same free radical fighting |
| same time this causes slowing of the plants growth. | | | | antioxidants as the tea. It is credited with aiding in |
| This results in the leaves turning to a darker shade of | | | | cancer prevention, reducing blood pressure and |
| green. It also is causing the production of amino acids. | | | | reducing blood sugar levels. |
| This gives green tea powder the sweeter taste and a | | | | It does not matter if you are enjoying it in your favorite |
| vivid green color. | | | | bake goods or in a delicious drink; the health benefits of |
| These leaves are known as tencha after they are laid | | | | green tea powder are enormous. This form is just |
| out flat to dry and then they are crumbled. These | | | | another way the benefits may be included in your diet |
| leaves are continually protected from the sun. They | | | | for better health. |