Matcha

Matcha is Camellia sinensis grown under shade for the final weeks before harvest, steamed, dried, and stone-ground to a fine bright-green powder. The shade-growing forces the plant to over-produce chlorophyll, L-theanine, and catechins — especially EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which is the star polyphenol of green tea and has a large in-vitro anti-inflammatory, anti-acne, and photoprotective literature. Because the whole leaf is consumed (not steeped), matcha delivers roughly 3× the EGCG of a green-tea bag. In skincare it shows up in Japanese masks, toners, and face oils (Shiseido, Tatcha, Innisfree crosses into matcha territory too). Colour can transfer briefly to pale skin.