Matcha

Botanical Name: Camellia sinensis

Botanical Description: Matcha is a finely ground powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves.

Cosmetic Benefits: Matcha contains high levels of antioxidants, particularly catechins, which help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals and UV radiation. It also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can help reduce redness, irritation, and acne. Matcha powder can be incorporated into skincare products as an exfoliant, mask, or treatment to promote clear, radiant skin.

Scientific Overview: Matcha is derived from the same plant species as green tea, Camellia sinensis. However, matcha undergoes a unique cultivation and processing method, where the leaves are shade-grown to enhance their flavor and nutritional content before being ground into a fine powder.

Cultivation and Harvest: Matcha is cultivated in shaded fields to protect the tea leaves from direct sunlight, allowing them to develop higher levels of chlorophyll and amino acids. The leaves are harvested by hand, usually in the spring, and then steamed, dried, and ground into a fine powder.

Plant Morphology: Matcha is not derived directly from a specific plant but rather from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant used to make green tea.