ZOE Science & Nutrition Matcha, coffee and green tea: which is healthiest? with Prof. Tim Spector and Chef Andrew Kojima
141 snips
Apr 10, 2025 
In this enlightening conversation, Chef Andrew Kojima, a MasterChef finalist and expert in Japanese cuisine, joins Professor Tim Spector, a leading nutrition scientist. They dive into matcha’s rich history and its rising popularity as a wellness trend. Discover the health benefits of matcha compared to coffee, including its calming effects and nutritional advantages. Chef Koj shares traditional preparation techniques and a delicious beginner-friendly matcha latte recipe. The episode concludes with a sweet twist as they taste matcha custard, showcasing its versatile flavor.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Matcha's History
- Matcha production involves a meticulous 900-year-old process.
- Key steps are shade-growing for enhanced chlorophyll, picking young leaves, steaming, drying, and grinding.
Matcha's Cultural Significance
- Buddhist monks in Japan historically used matcha for meditation to achieve calm alertness.
- Its popularity in the West is rising as perceptions of coffee shift to healthier views.
Caffeine and L-theanine in Matcha
- Matcha contains less caffeine than coffee but more than regular green tea.
- It also contains L-theanine, which modulates caffeine's effects, promoting calm alertness.
