If you make any effort to keep up with the latest and greatest health food trends, you have without a doubt scrolled past a post referencing matcha. You can see that it is a green liquid so it's obviously healthy, but what is it exactly- and why does everyone love it so much?

Matcha Source describes matcha as, "Premium green tea powder from Japan used for drinking as tea or as an ingredient in recipes. While other green teas are grown throughout the world, matcha is unique to Japan. It is the heart of the Japanese way of tea and has been celebrated in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony for hundreds of years."

Reasons why people are so obsessed:

A few reasons why health and wellness enthusiasts are obsessed with matcha as it is:

1. Packed with antioxidant polyphenols which have been linked to several health benefits including protection against heart disease and cancer.

2. A source of "clean caffeine": A cup of matcha has the caffeine equivalent of about a third of a cup of black coffee, and while this may seem insignificant to the hard core coffee drinkers out there, the caffeine along with the other nutritional benefits of matcha create a softer energizing effect. There are no jitters, you don't feel "wired" and lose your ability to focus, and best of all- you do not experience the uncomfortable caffeine "crash" that forces you to want to take a nap in the middle of the day.

3. A source of vitamins and nutrients that have been linked to lowering blood pressure and blood sugar, and boosting the immune system.

4. Rich in fiber and chlorophyl, which are essential to a healthy digestive system.

But what does it taste like?

I personally love the taste of matcha. If you are a fan of tea, especially loose leaf green tea, matcha will be a great upgrade to your tea drawer. It can be a bit of an acquired taste for some people who may think it tastes like grass at first, but adding a little Sugar In The Raw or honey to your plain iced matcha or hot lattes can make a world of a difference. While it may not be as sweet as your usual caramel macchiato, a matcha latte made with nut milk is completely free of artificial ingredients and is only a fraction of the calories, so your body will thank you later.

What else can you do with it?

Whatever your heart desires! Adding matcha to any food or beverage instantly gives it a tasty nutritional boost. Whether it's any baked good, a marinating sauce, popcorn topping, or simply a coconut-milk latte, matcha is a multi-functional product that in my opinion makes anything better. A great source for matcha recipie ~inspo~ is self-proclaimed matcha enthusiast, Hannah "Matcha Stewart" Bronfman and her team @thematchastewart on Instagram.