Ganbae™ Matcha

Matcha has been around since the 12th Century. In recent years, it has risen in popularity to become a superfood revered by the young and old. At Ganbae, we want to demystify matcha, and make it accessible for all.

Matcha 101

First, let us debunk some common myths:

❌ Matcha is matcha, it cannot be that different.
✔️ Not all matcha is created equal. Hiding behind small price tags are plenty of low quality matcha that is mass-produced outside of Japan. At Ganbae, we source tea leaves from authentic farmers in Uji, Kyoto. We are lucky to have one of the few native tea sommeliers in our drying and grinding process to give you the freshest Odayaka Matcha.

❌ Matcha has fewer health benefits than green tea leaves.
✔️ While matcha is made from green tea leaves, it has several times the health benefits of regular green tea. One reason lies in the unique cultivation method of tea leaves used for matcha. The plant is grown under low light conditions to increase chlorophyll levels in the leaves, which will become an intense shade of green and contain antioxidants and amino acids.

❌ Matcha is troublesome to enjoy.
✔️ This is the myth of all myths! Check out the collection of recipes curated by us at Ganbae.

Next, let's touch on the many health benefits of matcha.

1. Rich in antioxidants

Matcha has up to 137x the level of natural antioxidants (catechins) in regular green tea. Antioxidants counteract free radicals in your body and lowers oxidative stress. A high-antioxidant diet keeps your skin young, and may lower the risk of heart failure and cancer.

2. Boosts metabolism

Not only does matcha give you an energy boost, studies have shown that it may speed up metabolism and promote weight loss. The amino acid L-theanine found in matcha also improves relaxation at the same time.

3. Improves heart health

With a healthy diet and lifestyle, matcha can keep your heart free from disease. Catechins present in matcha can regulate blood pressure. The consumption of matcha may be linked to lower chance of heart disease and stroke.

4. Prevents diabetes

Matcha is rich in dietary fibre. Not only does it improve bowel health, matcha can control blood sugar levels and fight against type 1 diabetes.

5. Fights bad breath

Bet you did not see this coming! The high chlorophyll content in matcha increases beneficial bacteria in the gut and removes harmful ones. With a healthy gut, bad breath and body odour become things of the past.

To top it off, let us blow you away with some jaw-dropping facts about matcha!

Matcha was drank by Samurai Warriors ⚔️ in preparation for battle. Now you know where their strength and agility came from!
The discovery of matcha was by accident, when farmers tried covering their tea plants to protect against harsh winter snowfall. They were taken aback when uncovering the plants 😮; they were a much darker green to compensate for the lack of sunlight! (kudos to these farmers; without them we wouldn't have matcha today)
Authentic matcha is actually very rare. It is made from the tea plant Camellia sinensis, which is primarily grown in Uji and Nishio. Ganbae's Odayaka Matcha comes from Uji.

Now that you know more about matcha, let's find out how to pick the best matcha from the wide array of options available on the market.

Authentic Matcha	Impostor Matcha
👍🏼 Vibrant, intense green	Dull, light green 👎🏼
👍🏼 Smooth, sweet taste	Bitter taste 👎🏼
👍🏼 Ultra fine	Coarse 👎🏼
👍🏼 Fresh, sweet smell	Fishy smell 👎🏼
👍🏼 Thick froth	Thin layer of air bubbles 👎🏼

At Ganbae, our matcha is sourced exclusively from Uji, Kyoto. Your matcha is ground fresh upon order, and delivered straight to your doorstep! Check out our catalog and we look forward to your creations very matcha!