Matcha Green Tea Granola

Matcha green tea is a finely ground powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves. The leaves are shade-grown for several weeks before harvest, then stemmed and deveined. Finally, they are dried and ground into a vibrant green powder using traditional stone grinding methods.

Manufacturers add matcha green tea for its distinct flavor and vibrant green color. It is often used in baked goods like granola, cookies, and cakes, as well as in beverages like lattes and smoothies. It can also be found in ice cream and other desserts.

Matcha is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as a food ingredient. It is a source of antioxidants, particularly catechins like EGCG. While research is ongoing, some studies suggest potential benefits related to metabolism and brain function, but more human studies are needed. JECFA has evaluated green tea extracts, but no specific evaluation for matcha as a food ingredient is widely cited.