Matcha made in heaven

Enjoy this weeks blog about one girl and her romance with matcha.

My love affair with matcha commenced in 2016. It is my go to drink, iced or served warm. Whether alone on my terrace, soaking in the first rays of sunshine, indoors during the winter months or making it as a treat for guests (and eagerly awaiting their feedback), matcha hits the spot!

Sweet, yet earthy and packed with a bunch of goodness - it's no wonder matcha is now found in many coffee shops.

I found matcha during a season of deep introspection. Habits and behaviours needed attention and healing. To support this change, neurologically speaking, my brain had to be primed for neuroplasticity. I made the choice to consciously expand my mindset, healing from the inside out with the help of yoga, meditation, holistic therapies and nutrition.

I have learned healing is an upward spiral. Grief, change and letting go of what doesn’t serve takes time, and huge doses of compassion and surrender. As I moved through the messy discomfort of transformation, my body was releasing high amounts of cortisol (a stress hormone). This meant my defence mechanisms were engaged and I needed something that would aid in cultivating equilibrium as I continued on this journey with dedicated intention.

That’s when my soul sister, Bo’s Kitchen, recommended Organic Burst Matcha. Bo is my go-to expert for anything food and superfood related. Being vegan for over 25 years and extremely talented in her field, I knew I could trust her recommendation to integrate this powerhouse tea powder into my routine.

What exactly is matcha?

Matcha is the most nutrient dense, whole leaf green tea available. It’s packed with brain-boosting and medicinal benefits. Buddhist Monks have used matcha for centuries in their tea ceremonies, and to aid in meditation.

It contains a powerful amino acid, L-theanine which promotes a uniquely calm yet alert and focused state lasting up to 3-6 hours.

L-theanine's array of benefits:

- Binds to caffeine slowing its absorption into the bloodstream decreasing the crash effect attributed to coffee.

- Clinical studies have shown L-theanine boosts alpha brain waves by 75%. Alpha waves support increased creativity, performance under stress, improved learning and concentration, as well as decreasing anxiety and aids in detoxification.

Matcha also contains the most powerful antioxidant discovered thus far, Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG). EGCG gets a lot of praise, for its positive impact on our health. It is said to reduce inflammation, boost metabolism, and protect brain and heart health – YES PLEASE!

Taste and Production

You’ll find many variations on the market, premium ceremonial grade matcha is the highest quality. With its sweet notes and (in my opinion) white chocolate creamy taste, I knew this would become an everyday habit.

Cost matters. As a single mother and small business owner, I don’t tend to purchase items on a whim. I understand most premium quality items are not accessible to all. However, I would totally recommend Organic Burst for its purity, and the ethical trading methods employed in the production of their matcha. They also hold mega sales every few months and so I stock up when I can.

There are much more affordable matcha's online. If ceremonial grade matcha doesn't work for you, please do have shop around - the quality and taste may differ, but you will still gain all the benefits, as you're consuming the whole green tea leaf.

Cultivating mindful moments

Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves – slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.

Thich Nhat Hanh in The Miracle of Mindfulness

As mentioned, I have a pool of resources that support my wellness journey. My daily matcha gives me the boost needed to stay focused, enabling me to be fully engaged in my personal and professional growth. I can feel its detoxifying benefits and it seems to aid in reducing inflammation in my body too.

As a yogi and also a yoga teacher, cultivating simple mindful rituals - like making my matcha lattes in the morning - helps to strengthen the muscle of presence. This discipline allows me to stay in the moment when it is time to serve others.

As you can tell, I’m totally besotted and believe matcha is a great addition to your morning routine and a fab alternative to coffee.

My results are personal to me, however I hope you enjoy your next matcha latte, with the knowledge you’re elevating your brain function, supporting your nervous system and providing your body with a number of health benefits.

Thanks for reading and happy sipping!

Big love,

Zak