2024 - A Year of Matcha

 

As I reflect on this past year I realized what a f*ck ton of matcha I drank! An ex referred to me as a "matcha girly" at one point. 

My obsession with it started in NYC at Cha Cha Matcha where I used to get their infamous Matcha Soft Serve on a hot summer day. They also had beautifully made matcha soft serves in the Food Court at K-Town (Koreatown) and at this one Korean skincare and matcha ice cream (no lie - they served matcha ice cream right next to face masks) place near where I used to live in Herald Square. If Koreans endorses it, it must be healthy. Plus, it's super yummy.

However, I really discovered the benefits of matcha this year when I started making my own matcha drinks. Earlier in the year when I was working in office, I downed 5-10 cups of coffee a DAY to sustain my energy throughout work and after work exercise and social activities. The anxiety the extreme amount of caffeine caused was ridiculous and only softened by a hard workout. I would be strung up and wiry at night and it would take me an hour to two hours to fully go to sleep.

Now that I'm back in San Francisco, I started going to Andytown Coffee Roasters for their delicious Matcha Plowover. There is just something so delicious and special about it, down to the homemade whip cream they used. However, realizing the economy is a bust and I can no longer spend $7-8 on a cup of coffee every day, I researched their not-so secret recipe (they list everything on their website!) and went out to Whole Foods to buy and make my own daily.

I usually use the Matcha Latte powder and put a bit of sugar and lactose milk and sometimes a dash of espresso to start my morning. It is around $20 for the powder and makes around 6-10 cups per.

I've also used the Matcha to Go powder packets which tastes WAY too strongly like actual matcha tea (think, very bitter) but is a much more organic and original source of matcha. I do this literally when I am "on the go."

I also have used the Matcha Focus Drinks and Matcha Mushroom powders. I did not like either, the tastes were too strong for me to stomach and feel any actual benefits. I do not recommend.

I think Matcha is a great replacement for coffee and I have never gone back to roasted coffee since. I notice I have a lot more calmness and clarity, more consistent energy levels, and have been able to achieve whatever bedtime I decide on. I only need a cup and at most two cups a day to feel a nice kick. Back when I was drinking coffee, I was at the mercy of the caffeine and there were no limits to how many cups I would drink as it was such a strong source of energy that really wore out my nerves and body.

Although not the biggest supporter of Whole Foods, I do like and recommend their selection of matcha products. IF you want a good Matcha Frappe or Latte, I would suggest the Frozen Matcha Frappe at this one coffee shop called Cantana Coffee Shop which has a cute antique vintage vibe, Wake Cup which has free wifi to do your work in, Brioche Cafe which has a nice hot pippin cup of matcha lattes, and Coffee to the People which has a great Brown Sugar Matcha Latte special you can order.

I highly suggest if you're a caffeine fiend to switch over from coffee to matcha. It is healthier and you notice the benefits within a few weeks. I promise, it does not disappoint.