Japan - From the Gyokuro leaf made from buds only picked during April and May, this is one of Japan's finest green teas. When taking this tea, one needs to respect it as an art (as with any tea). Matcha has taken its place in the tea world for several reasons. When nothing has been added to its powder base, Matcha is tea's purest form. Secondly, the Japanese have made several health claims including the reduction of the occurance of cancer in people who consume approximately 40 ounces of green tea daily and that catechin in green tea is a far stronger antioxidant than Vitamin E, therefore may help control aging. Incidentally, the polyphenol antioxidant level in this brew is rated at 10%.
