Why Japanese women believe in matcha beauty power

Japanese women have a strong belief in the beauty power of matcha, not just because it’s an ancient tradition, but due to its proven skin-enhancing benefits. Matcha captivating emerald color, rich history, and many impressive benefits make it a favorite health and beauty elixir around the world!

Matcha contains methylxanthines which boost blood circulation, promoting healthy, cleansed and glowing skin. It deeply nourishes the skin and fights signs of ageing as well as acne and breakouts. There is a long list of matcha green tea beauty benefits making it the new trailblazer for clear, radiant and youthful skin. So, let’s start.

The Matcha Story

The matcha tea story is rooted in ancient tradition, tracing back to China’s Tang Dynasty and finding its true home in Japan in the 12th century. Zen Buddhist monks brought matcha to Japan, using it to enhance focus during meditation, setting the foundation for its spiritual significance. Unlike other teas, matcha is made by finely grinding whole shade-grown tea leaves, making it a distinct and nutrient-rich powder.

The uniqueness of matcha lies in its preparation and the rituals that surround it. During the traditional Chanoyu (Japanese tea ceremony), matcha is meticulously whisked with hot water in a serene, meditative ritual. This process embodies principles like wabi-sabi (appreciating simplicity and imperfection) and mindfulness, emphasizing not just the taste but the experience itself. The vivid green hue, smooth umami flavor, and velvety texture make matcha a sensory delight.

Matcha is also unique because of its nutritional profile – it’s loaded with EGCG, L-theanine, and chlorophyll, offering benefits like mental clarity, sustained energy, and detoxification. Whether enjoyed ceremonially, as a daily brew, or in modern lattes and desserts, matcha remains a symbol of wellness, tranquility, and cultural tradition, making it truly one-of-a-kind.

The Tea Ceremony: a Stress Managing Session for Japanese Women

According to the numerous latest studies, chronic stress is an extremely strong risk factor contributing to numerous illnesses and health conditions and a prime cause of destroying your beauty. Even smoking, overeating or lacking of physical activity would look not as serious as chronic stress. When it comes to female beauty, chronic stress can affect different aspects, contributing to the early aging. However, the most harmful result of chronic stress is the ruination of your happiness, and without it no woman can look at her best.

“Stress is the enemy of beauty. It can disrupt the harmony within and overshadow the radiance that lies beneath.” – Unknown

A tea ceremony always results in a healthier mind and a happier soul meaning beautiful you.

The Japanese tea ceremony, known as Chanoyu, Sado, or Chado (literally “the way of tea”), is a highly ritualized event centered around preparing and serving matcha (powdered green tea). It is more than just making tea; it is an art form deeply intertwined with Zen Buddhism, promoting mindfulness, respect, and harmony.

A full, formal tea ceremony is a multi-hour event that starts with a kaiseki course meal that is followed by a bowl of thick tea and ends with a bowl of thin tea. Here are the main tea ceremony steps:

1. Setting the Atmosphere: The ceremony takes place in a traditional tea room called a chashitsu. The room is minimalistic, often adorned with a hanging scroll, flower arrangement, and natural elements that emphasize simplicity and nature.
2. Welcoming Guests: The host, often dressed in a kimono, warmly welcomes guests, inviting them to appreciate the serene ambiance.
3. Preparing the Utensils: Every step is deliberate, with each utensil—like the chasen (bamboo whisk), chawan (tea bowl), and chashaku (tea scoop)—carefully selected and used. The host cleans and arranges them with calm, graceful movements.
4. Whisking the Matcha: The host skillfully whisks the matcha in hot water until it forms a frothy, velvety drink. The tea is then served to each guest, who receives it with both hands as a sign of respect.
5. Appreciating the Tea: Guests sip slowly, savoring the taste, texture, and aroma while taking a moment to reflect.

The Meaning of the Japanese Tea Ceremony

The tea ceremony represents wabi-sabi—a Japanese aesthetic embracing the beauty of imperfection, simplicity, and transience. It also embodies the principles of:

• Harmony (Wa): Creating a balanced, peaceful interaction between the host, guests, utensils, and environment.
• Respect (Kei): Demonstrating gratitude and mindfulness toward every element and person involved.
• Purity (Sei): Symbolizing physical and spiritual cleansing through the ritualistic preparation of tea.
• Tranquility (Jaku): Achieving inner calm and presence, reflecting the essence of Zen philosophy.

The Japanese tea ceremony is a meditative practice that fosters mindfulness, gratitude, and appreciation for the present moment, turning the simple act of drinking tea into a meaningful, spiritual experience. The ceremony gains inner peace and creates bonding between the host and guest.

Why Japanese Women Believe in Matcha Beauty Power

Here’s why Japanese women trust matcha as a beauty elixir and how they incorporate it into their skincare routines:

Rich in Antioxidants

Matcha is packed with EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radical damage. This means it can prevent premature aging, reduce fine lines, and maintain a youthful glow.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

The polyphenols in matcha help soothe inflammation, making it effective in reducing redness, swelling, and irritation. This is especially beneficial for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Detoxifying Effects

Matcha’s high chlorophyll content acts as a natural detoxifier, flushing out toxins that can cause skin problems like breakouts and dullness. It helps clear the skin from within, resulting in a brighter complexion.

Promotes Skin Elasticity

Regular matcha consumption is linked to improved skin elasticity, as its compounds support collagen production, helping to keep the skin firm and plump.

How Japanese Women Use Matcha in Beauty Care

Aside from drinking matcha, Japanese women incorporate it into various DIY skincare treatments:

Matcha Face Mask

Matcha powder is mixed with ingredients like yogurt, honey, or aloe vera to create a nourishing face mask. It helps hydrate, calm inflammation, and brighten the skin.

Matcha Scrub

For exfoliation, matcha is blended with sugar or rice powder and a carrier oil to make a gentle scrub that sloughs off dead skin cells and leaves the skin feeling smooth and refreshed.

Matcha Eye Treatment

The soothing, anti-inflammatory properties of matcha make it ideal for reducing puffiness and dark circles around the eyes. Women often mix matcha with a bit of cooled green tea and apply it as a cooling eye mask.

Matcha Hair Rinse

Japanese women also use matcha in hair care routines, mixing it with water or conditioner for a shine-enhancing hair rinse that nourishes the scalp and adds luster to the hair.

Japanese women trust matcha for its holistic beauty benefits, both as a drink and a topical treatment, making it an integral part of their skincare regimen!

Some Fascinating Facts about Matcha

Here are some fascinating facts about matcha that highlight its rich history, health benefits, and unique characteristics:

• Whole Leaf Consumption: Unlike regular green tea, where the leaves are steeped and discarded, matcha involves consuming the entire leaf in powdered form, making it more nutrient-dense.
• Shade-Grown for Flavor: Matcha leaves are grown in the shade for about 3-4 weeks before harvesting. This process boosts chlorophyll levels, resulting in matcha’s vibrant green color and rich umami flavor.
• Samurai Energy Drink: Samurai warriors drank matcha before battles to enhance energy, focus, and endurance. It was valued for its ability to promote alertness without causing jitters.
• Rich in L-Theanine: Matcha contains L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation and mental clarity. This unique compound provides a “calm alertness,” making it popular among Zen monks for meditation.
• Contains 137x More Antioxidants: Matcha has up to 137 times more antioxidants than regular green tea. Its high concentration of EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) offers strong anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
• Calorie Burner: Matcha boosts metabolism and helps burn calories more effectively, making it a favorite among fitness enthusiasts.
• Beauty Benefits: Matcha is not only a drink but a popular skincare ingredient in Japan, used in face masks, scrubs, and creams due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties.
• Ceremonial vs. Culinary Grade: Matcha comes in different grades. Ceremonial-grade matcha is made from the youngest leaves, offering a smoother, sweeter taste, while culinary-grade is used in lattes, desserts, and cooking.
• Longest Life Expectancy Link: Matcha is considered one of Japan’s “secrets” to longevity, contributing to the country’s reputation for having the longest life expectancy globally.
• Matcha’s Umami Flavor: The umami taste of matcha is so distinctive that it’s often used in gourmet cuisine, adding depth to everything from savory dishes to desserts like mochi and ice cream.

Matcha captivating emerald color, rich history, and many impressive benefits make it a favorite health and beauty elixir around the world!