What has made Matcha tea so popular? Expert tips on how to make it right

Winter is rough. Let’s just be honest about it. Between the dangerously dry air, the biting wind, and those constant grey skies that seem to swallow the daylight by 5 PM, it’s easy to feel totally drained. You wake up in the dark, you come home in the dark, and somewhere in between, you’re supposed to function like a normal human being. Honestly, this is why the switch to matcha has become so evident lately. It might sound like just another wellness trend, but for anyone trying to survive the freeze without losing their mind, it’s actually a lifesaver. The "clean" energy shiftAccording to Annapurna Batra COO India, Newby Tea, "It’s not just about holding a warm mug (though, let’s be real, clutching something hot is half the battle in January). It’s about the quality of the energy. Unlike coffee, which spikes you up fast and drops you hard, matcha gives you this steady, calm buzz that feels totally different. It’s the kind of clean energy you need when you have to be productive, but the weather is practically begging you to crawl back under the covers. That feeling comes from a unique amino acid called L-theanine. Here is the science that most people miss: L-theanine crosses the blood-brain barrier and actually alters your brain waves. It promotes alpha wave activity, which is the state your brain enters when you are relaxed but alert, kind of like when you’re in a "flow state" or daydreaming. Coffee tends to trigger beta waves, which are associated with stress and high arousal. When L-theanine pairs with caffeine, it smooths out the rough edges, giving you focus without the jitters. It’s a serious weapon against the winter blues." Why it’s "whole leaf" or nothing"So, what’s the big deal about this green powder, anyway? It's not just another green tea. It all comes down to how it’s grown and prepared. For the last few weeks of their growth, the tea plants are shaded from the sun. This lack of sunlight forces the leaves to go into survival mode, going into overdrive to produce chlorophyll and amino acids. This is what gives matcha its almost impossibly vibrant green color and that complex, savory "umami" flavor. But here’s the most important part: with regular tea, you steep the leaves in hot water and then throw them out. You’re essentially making leaf-water. You’re only getting a fraction of the nutrients. With matcha, the leaves are stone-ground into an ultra-fine powder, which you whisk directly into water. You are consuming the entire leaf. This means you’re getting a massive, concentrated dose of everything the plant has to offer. We’re talking about one of the most potent antioxidant sources on the planet, specifically a class of antioxidants called catechins," adds Anupama. Your winter armor: Immunity and skinThis is where the science gets really cool for winter specifically. One specific catechin in matcha, EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), acts as a powerful antiviral. Research suggests that EGCG can actually bind to the surface of viruses, like the influenza virus, inhibiting their ability to infect cells. When everyone around you is coughing and sneezing in the office, sipping matcha is like adding an extra layer of armor to your immune system. And then there’s your skin. Winter air wreaks havoc on our faces, windburn, radiator dryness, and redness are standard for January. Because matcha is so high in anti-inflammatory compounds and chlorophyll, it works from the inside out to calm systemic inflammation. It’s helping your skin retain moisture and fight off the redness caused by the harsh cold. Think of it as edible skincare. The ritualBeyond all the health stats and biochemistry, there’s just something incredibly satisfying about the process. The ritual of making a cup, sifting the bright green powder, heating the water to just the right temperature (never boiling!), and whisking it into a frothy, velvety liquid feels like a therapeutic moment you’re carving out for yourself.It’s a stark contrast to mindlessly hitting a button on a coffee machine or waiting in line at a drive-thru. It forces you to slow down for three minutes. If you’re tired of the anxiety and the inevitable energy slump, you should really give it a shot. It has a way of making the long, dark days of winter feel a whole lot brighter, and dare I say, a little bit warmer. How to make Matcha Tea- Add 1 spoon of matcha or 1/2 table spoon to your Matcha bowl. Add 140ml of 70°C freshly brewed water.- Whisk in a W shape from top to bottom and left to right until a delicate layer of froth appears on top.- Sip and enjoy the benefits of drinking matcha.