Matcha powder is one of the superfoods in this world. According to various sources, it even has higher antioxidants than other well known superfoods like blueberries and pecans.

Three of the health benefits that matcha powder gives us are the following:

• High in antioxidants. Antioxidants help us fighting free radicals in our immune system. Hence, if you want decrease the damage that free radicals can do in your body, do not forget to incorporate matcha to your diet!

• Boosts brain function. When we talk about nutrition or diet, we often forget about the power center of ourselves, the brain. The researchers found that matcha caused improvements in attention, reaction time, and memory, compared to the placebo (Healthline.com). One of the component of the matcha, L-theanine, helps us to counterbalance the effects of the caffeine. So basically you stay awake but it doesn't damage you inside as much as the caffeine.

• Helps to manage weight. Like green tea, matcha powder also has proved to help boosting fat burning while exercising.

Do you feel now like incorporating matcha powder to your diet? I definitely do!

Matcha can be consumed as a drink, or it can also be eaten.

Matcha Powder - 4 ways to use it:

1. Matcha Latte

Matcha latte fits in any season... autumn, winter, spring or summer. You can make it warm or take it even with ice. I personally like using oatmilk, cashew milk or coconut milk for the latte.

Pour a teaspoon into the mug, pour boiling water and mix it well until the powder gets dissolved. Then add the latte and afterwards more water. I don't use anything to sweeten... but you could add a teaspoon of agave syrup!

2. Energy balls

My favorites for a super quick snack! Although I must confess I could easily eat the whole batch :-D You can use the powder as part of the dough or as a coating (like in the example below).

Energy balls are super quick to do (10mins max.). In the case of below, I added 10 dates (soaked previously 30min in hot water), one cup macadamia nuts and 3/4 cup shredded coconut to a dry container blender. After blending and getting a consistent dough, I added one teaspoon of dates syrup and coconut virgin oil to the mix and blended it all together again.

Afterwards you only need to create a big ball and go taking part of it, creating smaller balls that you role on top of the matcha powder.

Best storage: Fridge!

3. Muesli bar

Om om ommmmm muesli bars are simply delicious. And when they are homemade, even better!! In the example below, I have used matcha powder for the coating. Check the full recipe in the post Matcha Granola Bars. This was another great mid-day or -afternoon snack... very quick to prepare. I need to get a new batch soon!!

4. Raw cheesecake

Raw cheesecake is ideal to surprise your guests with a healthy cheesecake treat. All my guests love it and they are even surprised of how delicious it is, knowing that it is "healthy" :-D

The matcha powder is part of the filling and the coating. For the coating you have various options: mix it with melted white chocolate; or mix it with coconut oil and agave syrup.

Check the full recipe in the post Raw Matcha Cheesecake.

I hope this post brings you some ideas and health matter thoughts! If you try any of the recipes, let me know how it went :)

xx

Zohar