Jan 17, 2023

Honey Matcha Latté (3 Ways)

(Gluten Free | Dairy Free (Option) | Refined Sugar Free)

When it comes to morning elixirs, there is a particular bitter brown beverage (rhyming with toffee) that comes to most Canadians' minds and touches a particularly soft spot in the heart. "What would I do without it?" we think. "How would I get through the day?" But if we spin the globe and look to another side of the world, there is a different morning elixir -- bright green and beautiful -- that has held a soft spot in people's hearts for many centuries, and with good reason. A drink with benefits that are vast and varied, and only just being fully realized through the lens of modern science, though they have been known and felt by the people who drink it for far, far longer. Matcha.

A very special shade-grown and powdered form of the Camellia sinensis (green tea) plant, this beautiful drink has a rich history of reverence in Japan, where it is the tea of choice in the traditional tea ceremony. Carefully grown, prepared, and sipped, it has long been treated with great tenderness for the benefits it brings to people's lives. So, what makes matcha special? Aside from its very high antioxidant content, matcha is particularly rich in some amazing compounds that have potent effects on mood, energy levels and focus. One in particular, an amino acid called L-theanine, has been well researched for its incredible effects on the central nervous system -- working to upregulate and balance "feel-good" neurotransmitters such as GABA, dopamine and serotonin, while also triggering alpha brain waves that enhance focus and creativity. In other words, it has the very unique ability to energize, support a focused mind and promote relaxation at the same time! (Very different from the classic spike-and-crash effect of coffee!) An amazing and rare combination, even in the world of herbs. In addition, matcha green tea (and the unique way in which the leaves are consumed, rather than simply steeped) boasts many, many polyphenols that have wide ranging benefits to overall health of the body, from reducing inflammation to aiding in liver detoxification. Hurray! One point for food-as-medicine!

Though it is far from the traditional preparation, a latté is a lovely way to invite matcha into your life. Softened by the milk and sweetened with a touch of honey, it makes for a blissful warm drink that you will look forward to waking up to, and one that will set you up for a wonderful day. It also makes a fantastic vehicle to which you can add other delicious food-as-medicine allies (like cinnamon, ginger, and peppermint) to support your daily vibrant health. Here are 3 yummy tried-and-true variations to try at home: