Modern wellness routines typically include natural products like matcha and CBD. A growing trend within the wellness space is the act of combining multiple natural ingredients to create more holistic remedies and elixirs. One example of this is CBD-infused matcha drinks, which are becoming increasingly popular within the health conscious community. Both ingredients offer their own unique set of benefits, and are only more powerful when combined. This article covers what matcha is, its benefits, how to infuse it with CBD, and the synergistic benefits of these two natural powerhouses.
What is matcha?
Matcha is a type of green tea that is specifically grown and processed to produce a green powder. The process involves grinding young, shaded green tea by stone, resulting in matcha powder. It originated in China but also has strong roots in Japanese culture, and most of today’s matcha comes from Japan. Its traditional uses date back to the Tang Dynasty, and it is still commonly used as part of tea ceremonies.
There are different grades of matcha, including ceremonial and culinary. While both are full of benefits and taste delicious, there are some key differences. For example, ceremonial grade matcha is typically higher quality and contains more caffeine, and is usually consumed in pure form as a tea or sometimes as part of a latte. Culinary matcha is commonly used for things like baked goods, milky drinks, and smoothies, but may produce a more bitter taste. Ceremonial grade matcha is also more expensive than its culinary counterpart.
The benefits of matcha
Matcha is popular for more than just its delicious taste and invigorating caffeine content. Here are some of matcha’s most impressive potential benefits:
- Rich in Antioxidants: Catechins are part of the flavonoid family. Flavonoids are antioxidant powerhouses found in many fruits, vegetables, and plants like hemp and green tea. Matcha is packed with catechins, particularly EGCG, which helps combat oxidative stress.
- Boosts Metabolism: Matcha can aid in weight management efforts by boosting metabolism. It does this by combining catechins like EGCG (as mentioned above) and caffeine, a unique combination that works to not only boost metabolism but also help burn fat.
- Enhances Focus and Calmness: Matcha contains an abundance of L-theanine, which promotes relaxation without drowsiness. This can provide a calm yet alert feeling, helping with focus and mental clarity.
- Supports Heart Health: Matcha has the potential to provide multiple heart health benefits. These include reducing bad cholesterol and blood pressure levels while helping to ward off issues like atherosclerosis (artery hardening).
- Detoxification Properties: The chlorophyll content in matcha helps detoxify the body naturally, promoting better health both inside and out.
How to infuse matcha with CBD
While there are many different ways to consume matcha, the most popular is in the form of a matcha latte. Here’s what you’ll need to make a CBD-infused Matcha Latte:
- High quality matcha powder
- Water soluble CBD
- Your choice of milk (plant-based or dairy)
- Your choice of sweetener (popular options include honey, vanilla syrup, maple syrup, lavender syrup, or agave)
- A matcha whisk (a regular whisk can be used in place of this if needed, but may not be able to produce as smooth of a result)
- A sifter
Here are the steps you can follow to make the perfect CBD-infused matcha latte:
- First, sift 1 teaspoon of matcha powder into a small bowl.
- Now, add 2-4 tablespoons of hot water to the bowl.
- The all important step here is using your matcha whisk to blend the water and powder together until there are no lumps. Try making ‘W’ shapes with the whisk to achieve this.
- If you would like this to be an iced beverage, simply add your chosen milk to a glass with ice. If you would prefer a hot latte, heat or steam your milk until it reaches your desired temperature.
- Once your milk is ready, add your dose of water soluble CBD to it and stir.
- Next, add your chosen sweetener to the matcha mixture to your liking and stir.
- Finally, pour your matcha shot over your hot or cold CBD-infused milk to complete your latte.
- All that’s left to do now is enjoy!
The synergy of matcha and CBD
Matcha and CBD are often paired together due to their complementary properties. Matcha is known for providing a smooth, steady release of energy, while CBD is often used in wellness routines for its potential to promote balance. When combined, matcha’s natural energizing qualities can complement CBD’s balancing effects. This synergy offers an enticing option for those seeking a more holistic approach to daily wellness.
Final thoughts
Matcha and CBD are both powerhouses in the wellness industry, so it’s no surprise that combining them has become a popular trend among the health conscious. If you want to try this combination but don’t think a matcha latte is for you, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy it. For example, you could make CBD-infused matcha baked goods, or enjoy a different style beverage like a CBD-infused matcha lemonade. No matter which way you consume this combo, CBD-infused matcha has the potential to offer impressive benefits and synergistic effects.
