Matcha Tea: Theanine Aids Mood and Cognitive Functions

Matcha contains L-theanine, an amino acid known to relax the mind. For this reason, matcha is also known as a natural mood enhancer.

Amino acids are also what gives matcha its distinctive taste. They contribute to what is known as the fifth taste, or umami, characterized by a rich creamy mouth feel.

Kama Matcha, our ceremony grade tea, made from the youngest, tenderest leaves, contains the highest levels of amino acids. The delicate flavor profiles of Kama Matcha Ceremony Grade and Morning Matcha Classic Grade are best observed when prepared in the traditional style, with a bamboo whisk and whisked in a matcha tea bowl.

Solid research substantiates the role of theanine in improving mood and focus.

Buddhist monks drank matcha to assist in meditation, as matcha's amino acids, combined with caffeine, offer a sustained calm alertness over time.

Theanine (N-ethyl-gama-glutamine) is a non-protein amino acid, rare in nature, but found in tea. It was discovered by the Japanese in 1949.

Theanine is most commonly found in tea leaves where it accounts for up to 50% of the amino acids, and 2% of the weight. Research indicates that theanine is more abundant in younger matcha leaves and buds while antioxidants such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) are more abundant in mature leaves with stems.

Theanine contents of tea are not equal. Mass produced black teas are generally of low quality and contain less than 10 mg per cup, while high quality green teas contain much more. High quality matcha tea may contain upwards of 50 mg a cup.

Theanine is absorbed readily and moves into the blood stream within 30 minutes of ingestion. It seems to blunt the effects of caffeine and attenuates the sympathetic component of the central nervous system (CNS).

The theanine in matcha tea readily crosses the blood brain barrier where it aids cognitive functions like clarity, focus, and mood.

Choose a Matcha For Mood Enhancement