What Is Matza?
Matzo or matza crackers are derived from the crispy flatbread matzah and are popular globally, especially in the West, both for children and adults.
What Are the Various Varieties of Matza?
Matza, also spelled as matzah or commonly known in the commercial markets by its popularity and availability as matzo crackers, is derived primarily from the crispy flatbread that is typically consumed by Jewish people during the festival of Passover. According to the Torah, this bread consumption is usually prohibited as per religious norms during this period. Even the unleavened flatbread such as matza, is consumed only during the holiday. Matzo is known for its legendary title, as it symbolizes Jesus Christ during the last supper (Passover meal) when only flatbread was consumed. Matza usually does not rise easily as a flatbread owing to the number of small holes that are indented across the square, which is mainly for allowing the steam to pass through.
Although there are different ranges and brands available commercially, it is usually described as having a bland flavor or taste. Matza can be easily incorporated into one's daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes or even can be used for preparing desserts in the form of broken crackers. It can also be used as a ground flour. There are different commercial flavors or varieties of matzo or matzah crackers available such as chocolate-covered matza, regular matza, or handmade matza. Shmura matza, egg matza, high fiber matza, organic matza, whole wheat, or gluten-free matza are a few other types.
What Is the Nutrition Content of Matza?
The nutritional information for approximately one square or 0.987671 ounces of matza as provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is as follows:
- Fat: 0.01767 ounces.
- Carbohydrates: 0.8113 ounces.
- Fiber: 0.03563 ounces.
- Protein: 0.1058ounces.
- Total Calories: 110 kilocalories.
As the main ingredients in these crackers or bread are refined or whole wheat flour, one can expect to gain almost 90 percent of carbohydrates by consuming approximately one slice of matza. For example, if around 55 percent of the 2,000 calories a day diet is the quantity of carbohydrates, one would be roughly consuming around 9.70034 ounces of carbohydrates per single day. Hence, each serving of matza can contribute to almost 90 percent of the daily carbohydrate intake needed for adults in a day.
What Are the Health Benefits of Consuming Matza?
- Carbohydrates are major energy sources and can also boost bodily stamina and endurance. Carbohydrates are also sources of cellular energy and metabolism. Hence Matza would be a good carbohydrate source.
- Matza is completely fat-free. However, it would be wiser to check the nutrition label or the ingredient label of the matzo or matza product one consumes for added sugars or fats. For individuals looking forward to a low-fat diet, it would be ideal to avoid both added sugars and fats.
- Matza contains almost 0.105822 ounces of protein per single serving.
- As per the 2017 umbrella review of 21 meta-analyses, the scientific evidence suggests that regularly consuming dietary whole grains may possibly reduce the individual risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers such as pancreatic cancer. According to this research study, the recommendation for preventing chronic diseases generally involves consuming at least two to three servings of whole grains per day for adults.
Does Matza Consumption Have Any Allergies?
The majority of matzas can be produced without using any dairy or milk product. Hence, matzo or matza crackers can be suitable for any individual who has a dairy or milk allergy. Since eggs are common allergens for many individuals, even these individuals can consume matza crackers. However, the point to note is that not all the matza crackers commercially available may be free from dairy or eggs. Therefore, individuals with specific dairy intolerance, milk, grain, or egg allergies along with food sensitivities should always check the ingredient label of the matza product or crackers to ensure that these products do not have any added ingredients mentioned above. Also, in case of consumption as well and in individuals with food allergies, it would be ideal to consult with a registered dietician or allergist to see what foods suit an individual's needs the best.
Is Matza Free From Additives?
Most matza products are completely free from both additives and preservatives. Most manufacturers usually tend to skip the additives or preservatives mainly to produce higher quality and healthier forms of pure packaged food. This is why nutrition experts also recommend matza consumption for individuals with egg or milk allergies despite it being a processed food.
What Are the Nutritional Myths of Matza?
- As this unleavened crispy bread base is completely free from any kind of unhealthy fats, even as processed food, matza crackers cannot contribute to coronary heart disease or cardiovascular diseases as such, which is one of the common nutrition myths surrounding this food.
- One of the main types of fats that are harmful to cardiovascular health in human individuals is saturated and trans fats present in packaged foods. In the case of matza crackers, as both trans fats and saturated fats are not present at all, there is no risk as such even after regular consumption for developing any cardiovascular risk.
- Most brands of matza would comprise wheat or gluten and are therefore not suitable for individuals with allergies to wheat, gluten intolerance, non-celiac sensitivity, or celiac disease. Instead, these individuals can opt for gluten-free options such as foods prepared from potato starch, potato flour, and tapioca starch.
- Individuals who may over-consume matza in a single day would be prone to developing gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, gas, and stomach pain.
How Is Matza Stored?
When the crackers are unopened, the normal shelf life of a box of matza is around 18 to 30 months, depending upon the manufacturer. Once opened, it can be stored in the remaining squares in an airtight container to preserve its freshness, and that can prevent them from going stale.
Conclusion
To avail the maximum nutrition benefits, the American Society of Nutrition states that, the food in question should provide at least around at least a minimum of 0.282192 ounces of whole grain for every 1.05822 ounces serving of the food. Matza would match these recommendations of being a whole grain food and hence can be useful to systemic health.
