What is Matcha and is it good for you?

Launching coffee for me was a no-brainer. It’s something I love drinking both hot and cold (cold especially now in this British summer heatwave we are having in 2026). However, making and serving matcha didn’t even cross my mind. That is until I walked into a Bird & Blend store in Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent and got given an impromptu matcha demonstration.

I was shown how the Matcha Latte Magic Whisk worked – it’s quite simple: push a button, watch your chosen milk spin around, add a half a teaspoon (or use the Perfect Matcha Spoon, which retails for £3.85) of matcha, and a splash of Bird & Blend vanilla syrup (optional) and place the lid over the machine. Once it’s stopped spinning its magic, pour in a mug and enjoy!

For the iced version, simply add ice and top up with 125ml of cold milk. Making matcha with this little device has never been smoother or easier.

I bought the Matcha Latte Magic Whisk on the spot because I enjoyed the drink so much. I couldn’t resist the soft lilac limited edition one. I did flinch a bit at the price (£99), but now that I’m using it for my business, I don’t regret the purchase one bit. It looks fab in my kitchen, and it makes matcha in a jiffy.

That’s not really how you make match traditionally, is it?

No, it isn’t. I admit that this is technically cheating (just a little). But honestly, I’m not convinced our fast‑paced Western world has the patience to watch me wrestle with a whisk. Traditionally, matcha is made using a small bamboo tool called a chasen, which you whip quickly to create a fine, velvety foam. In English it’s usually referred to as a matcha whisk. If you’re curious about the history of the chasen and matcha, the Global Japanese Tea Association has an excellent article that goes into more detail.

I’m also looking forward to trying all the various matcha flavours on offer from Bird & Blend, such as Buttermint, Maple Chai Matcha Blend, Lemon Matcha and Baked Apple Hojicha. I’m specifically looking forward to making this Iced Matcha Lemonade (which they refer to as the hangover destroyer). It sounds refreshing and delicious!

But what is matcha?

Matcha is a traditional Japanese tea. However, it’s not where the drink originated. It can be traced back to China, where it was made during the Tang and Song dynasties. A monk called Eisai brought the powered tea to Japan in 1191, where local farmers and monks then created the matcha we recognise today.

Now the drink is central to chanoyu, a Japanese tea ceremony. There is much to learn about this process, and I intend to learn a bit more about the culture and Japanese tea through the Global Japanese Tea Association, which offers courses on the subject online for $290 (excluding the teaware).

The powder takes a lot of time to make. It’s made from green tea leaves called tencha and once they’re harvested they’re ground into a fine powder using stone mills, which only produce 40g of matcha an hour!

Matcha has surged in popularity, and by 2025 a wave of 'matcha mania' swept across the globe, sparking concerns that suppliers wouldn’t be able to keep up with demand.

From a sustainable point of view, matcha appears to tick the right boxes. According to one source, a typical tea plant that’s used to create matcha can live for a half a century or more, making it one of the most environmental food crops in existence. There’s also less waste as the whole leaf is used to make the green tea.

I’ve yet to learn more about this Japanese Zen practice, but I will do my level best to embrace the culture. Japan is not the only producer of matcha, however it is certainly considered the leader in quality.

What are the health benefits of matcha

While I may cheat with my whisk, the health benefits of matcha are very real and increasingly well‑documented. Thanks to its unusually high concentration of catechins, especially EGCG, matcha delivers potent antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory effects. Research shows that EGCG activates the Nrf2/Keap1 antioxidant pathway, helping the body defend itself against oxidative stress and inflammation. Clinical and preclinical studies also point to cardiometabolic benefits, including improved glucose control, healthier lipid profiles, and protective effects against fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

There’s growing evidence for cognitive support, too: matcha’s combination of EGCG, caffeine, and L‑theanine has been shown to enhance attention, memory, and reduce stress, although larger trials are still needed to confirm long‑term effects. Early laboratory studies even suggest potential cancer fighting properties.

So, whether it’s whisked traditionally or blended the modern way matcha isn’t just delicious. It’s a small daily ritual backed by emerging science, offering meaningful support for your heart, mind, and overall wellbeing.

Health and environmental sources:
National Library of Medicine, The therapeutic potential of matcha tea: A critical review on human and animal studies; 23 November, 2022
Science Insights, Is matcha anti-inflammatory? What the research shows; 30 April 2026
The Economic Times, Harvard-trained doctor shares 3 anti-cancer drinks you should try; 18 August, 2025
Matcha Beyond, Is matcha sustainable? An honest look at environmental impact