FUELED Wellness + Nutrition | Matcha: What you need to know beyond the social feed

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — TikTok is buzzing with “matcha men” whisking up bright-green lattes, and we’re here for it – because the reasons to drink matcha go way beyond a few fun reels. In today’s edition of FUELED, Carrigan and Molly cover science behind this bold, bright green tea powder that can deliver calm, focused energy. Plus, quick tips to make it at home, and what to watch for when ordering out.

What is matcha?

Green tea health benefits have been well documented. Black, white, oolong and green tea all are rich in antioxidants. Green tea has the highest concentration of catechins, a type of antioxidant linked to lower incidence of cancer and heart disease.

Matcha is a finely ground, bright green tea powder that allows us to get even more nutritional benefit. Unlike green tea that’s steeped then removed, matcha powder is ground green tea leaves that are whisked directly into water or milk – you drink the whole leaf, not a steeped infusion, which translates to more concentrated antioxidants and phytochemicals.

Benefits and What to Watch Out For

• Green tea catechins (like EGCG), linked with cardiometabolic health, including supporting healthy blood pressure, LDL cholesterol and insulin sensitivity.

• L-theanine, an amino acid that can enhance mental alertness and relaxation without causing drowsiness.

• Caffeine check: Typically 35 to 75 mg per 8-ounce cup (compared to 100-120 mg for coffee)

• Be mindful of added sugar: many café matcha lattes use pre-sweetened blends and/or added sugars and syrups. A 16-ounce Starbucks Matcha Latte has 220 calories and ~29g grams of sugar with default prep. Instead, ask for unsweetened options, hold the syrups.

How to Make It

• Classic Whisk Matcha Latte (hot): ½ teaspoon matcha + 1 teaspoon plant-based sweetener (optional) + 1 tablespoon hot water; whisk until smooth. Heat 4 to 6 ounces unsweetened vanilla coconut (or almond) milk; pour over and sip.

• Shaker Matcha (on-the-go): Add the same ingredients to a small mason jar, without heating the milk first. Tighten lid and shake until silky.

• Barista order tips: Ask for unsweetened matcha, no syrups.

Local love: Bottom of the Cup Tea Room (327 Chartres St., French Quarter) carries fine teas, including a variety of green teas. And you can spot some of Molly’s pottery there, including this winged vessel featured in this segment.

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Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD is a registered dietitian and nutrition journalist in New Orleans, and founder of the Eat Fit nonprofit restaurant initiative. Tune in to her podcast, FUELED | Wellness + Nutrition, and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @MollyKimballRD. See more of Molly’s articles and TV segments at mollykimball.com, and download the Eat Fit mobile app to stay in the know about Eat Fit partners, new dishes, festivals, and more. To schedule a nutrition consult with Molly’s Lifestyle Nutrition team, email nutrition@ochsner.org.

The views, opinions, and recommendations expressed by Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD, are her own, provided for general educational purposes and not a substitute for personalized medical advice.

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