Insights & Discussion
The antioxidant potential and substance levels in Matcha tea is affected by the harvest period and water temperature used for preparation.
The study's methodology was set to evaluate the antioxidant capacity and significant component levels of traditional and daily Matcha green tea, originating from Japan. It focused on the content of essential vitamins, flavonoids, and other polyphenols. The variations in these components were examined by making infusions at different temperatures - 25°C, 70°C, 80°C, and 90°C. Approximately 1.75g of the plant material was used with 100mL of distilled water in these preparations. The comparison was made between Matcha tea from the first and second harvests, as well as from the second and third harvests.
In the discussion of results, infusions made from the daily Matcha harvest, especially the one prepared at 90°C, were observed to have the highest amount of substances possessing antioxidant properties. Notably, the concentrations of these beneficial substances tended to vary according to the timing of the plant's harvest and the temperature of water used for infusion preparation. Particularly, flavonoids, polyphenols, and vitamin C showed appreciable fluctuation across these variables, confirming a vital link between preparation details and the health benefits furnished by Matcha green tea.
Discover Related Insights
There is a notable gap in scientific research on the potential health benefits and antioxidant activity of matcha tea compared to green tea.
2021 Applied Sciences Retrospecting the Antioxidant Activity of Japanese Matcha Green Tea–Lack of Enthusiasm? Sivanesan I, Gopal J, Muthu M, Chun S, Oh JW
Review Article Antioxidant Green Tea Matcha
The strategy used in this study was a literature review that critically evaluated existing research publications on both green tea and matcha tea. This focused primarily on the concentration and potential benefits of their bioactive components and polyphenols. Key areas of comparison included antioxidant activity and potential health benefits in each tea variety. The comparison was made simultaneously considering the scarcity of studies specifically focused on matcha tea.
The discussion of the results became apparent that there is a significant discrepancy in the volume of scientific literature available on green tea compared to that on matcha. Despite matcha tea being rich in bioactive components and polyphenols, the lack of research has left its potential health benefits and antioxidant activity largely unexplored. This discrepancy emphasizes the immediate need to address the gap between public usage and awareness of matcha tea's benefits with scientific approval and understanding.