Matcha, maca. Aren’t they the same? They’re both superfoods, have excellent antioxidants and can often be found in the trendiest, hippest cafe joints in town!. So what’s the deal and is the hype really justified? Lets find out.
The difference between matcha vs maca
Despite their names sounding very similar, they have different origins and properties. Maca is made from the root of a Peruvian plant that grows in the Andes mountain in South America. The root is usually grounded to powder and is most commonly present in many South American dishes as it adds a warm and earthy flavor. In recent years, maca powder has become a popular ingredient in many detox smoothies as it does not contain caffeine.
Unlike maca which is a root, matcha is derived from green tea leaves. As a matter of fact, matcha is purely powdered premium green tea leaves so you’re getting 137x more dose of antioxidants compared to regular green tea. It contains caffeine and can be added to meals, cakes and baked items, smoothies and juices or even taken purely just by adding hot water.
Health and beauty benefits of matcha
Matcha is a powerful antioxidant and a highly efficient metabolism booster. It is more concentrated compared to regular brewed green tea. This is why you’re bound to get 100% of the nutritional benefits that green tea has to offer. Matcha is also very rich in minerals like magnesium, selenium, zinc and chromium and its been known to improve concentration. If you’re looking for an efficient immune system booster, matcha has Vitamin C, too! For those watching their calorie intake, a cuppa matcha can kickstart the metabolism and help burn those extra calories.
Health and beauty benefits of maca
Studies show that despite not having caffeine, maca is a powerful stimulant that helps boost energy and increase vitality. It is rich in iron, calcium, zinc, as well as vitamins B6 and C which all significantly contribute to keeping the energy of the body consistently high. Its often referred to as Peruvian gingseng for good reason. One of maca’s most popular health benefits is its ability to combat stress and to stablize hormones imbalances which may be one of the cases for pimple and acne breakouts.
How you can incorporate matcha and maca into your diet?
Both these superfoods are commonly sold in powdered form making it a versatile ingredient to add to your favourite recipes. You can use maca to season your dishes for a richer taste. Smoothies, yogurt, cakes…maca is a great companion to any food. As for matcha, it’s a terrific additional to your favourite juice or dessert. And if you are a super busy in the morning, just add some matcha to your favourite smoothie and you’re set for the day.
If you have a favourite recipe for matcha or maca, drop us a line, we would love to hear from you.