In the new year, many of us make resolutions to make healthier and more sustainable switches in our lives. One simple yet impactful change that we can make is trading out other forms of caffeine for matcha. 

This vibrant drink is not just a trend, it’s a healthier alternative to the traditional forms of caffeine we incorporate into our daily lives. 

Matcha is a powdered form of green tea that is packed with antioxidants and provides longer-term energy than most forms of caffeinated drinks. Matcha was originally founded in Tang Dynasty China and Japan and is still commonly used in ceremonial practices. It is an essential part of Japanese culture as it is rooted in the country’s traditional tea ceremonies or Chanoyu. The ceremony goes deeper than just drinking the drink itself, but into the therapeutic preparation that goes into grinding the green tea leaves and whisking together the ingredients. The ceremonies make matcha into much more than just a beverage: it’s a cultural experience. 

Unlike traditional forms of tea, matcha is made of finely ground tea leaves, meaning drinking it gives you all of the benefits of the leaves themselves, rather than just steeping the leaves in hot water. This means a higher concentration of antioxidants, especially catechins, which commonly reduce inflammation and combat chronic diseases. Matcha is known to boost metabolism, increase energy levels and improve mental clarity. 

In a usual serving, matcha contains half of the caffeine that coffee does. Many people take matcha to stimulate their brains. Unlike coffee, matcha contains L-theanine, which promotes relaxation and longer-term energy. It doesn’t give you the jittery feeling that is often associated with coffee. 

The appeal of matcha goes beyond just its health benefits. Like in traditional Japanese ceremonies, incorporating the daily ritual of making the matcha every morning can be a therapeutic form of self-care. The morning routine can set the tone of mindfulness for your day. 

Although the taste is acquired, well-made matcha can be a versatile flavor—slightly sweet, earthy and almost grassy—and can be incorporated into lattes, smoothies or even desserts. The drink will leave you feeling refreshed and energized for your day, as the caffeine in matcha kicks in with a constraint release, rather than spiking and dropping drastically. Experimenting with your ratios and grades of matcha can help you make your perfect cup that can be personalized to your liking. 

Here is my daily recipe: 

• Ingredients/tools:

• Bamboo whisk (chasen)
• Small bowl 
• ½ tsp ceremonial-grade matcha powder
• 2 oz. hot water, heated to around 175°F
• 6 oz. chilled oat milk
• 3-5 ice cubes
• Maple syrup (optional)

• Steps:

1. Whisk the matcha powder with the hot water using the Chasen (matcha whisk) in a small bowl. Mix until there are no lumps in the mixture. It is important that the water is not much hotter than 175°F because green tea must be steeped at the right temperature to maintain its health benefits and not ruin the flavor.
2. After waiting five minutes for the mixture to cool, transfer to your cup with ice. 
3. Add chilled oat milk and mix until the drink looks a vibrant green color. 
4. Take a small spoon and add maple syrup until you are happy with the sweetness of the drink (I usually add two small spoons).

• Side notes:
  • Though it is not required, I recently got the traditional matcha chasen and have found that it makes a huge difference in the quality of my matcha and the smoothness of the drink. 
  • I use ceremonial grade matcha because after trying several brands, I think that the ceremonial grade tastes the most fresh. You can tell whether your matcha is going to be good based on its color. It should be a very bright green, not a muted green. I get my matcha powder from Amazon or Costco because you can get a bigger bag and they have good types (look up “ceremonial grade matcha”).
  • I used to use sugar as my sweetener for matcha but recently got the recommendation to use maple syrup instead. I like the way it tastes with the oat milk because it balances its natural sweetness. 

This year, why not make the switch? The switch to matcha is a small but powerful step to healthier energy and focus in your new year.