The Morning Matcha Ritual
A creamy plant-milk matcha for a calm, steady start to the day.
Matcha is the whole green tea leaf, stone-ground into a fine powder, so you drink the leaf itself rather than an infusion. Alongside its natural caffeine, it carries L-theanine, an amino acid found in tea that is associated with a calm, focused kind of alertness. It is a gentle way to begin the morning.
Serves 1
- 1 teaspoon (about 2 g) ceremonial grade matcha
- 2 oz (60 ml) hot water, about 175°F (80°C), not boiling
- 6 oz (180 ml) coconut or almond milk
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup, optional
Ritual
- Sift the matcha into a wide cup or bowl. Sifting breaks up small clumps and gives a smooth, silky texture.
- Add the hot water and whisk briskly in a zig-zag motion until the surface turns light and foamy, about 20 seconds. Water that is too hot can make matcha taste bitter, so let freshly boiled water rest for a few minutes first.
- Warm the milk gently and froth it, if you like.
- Pour the milk over the matcha, sweeten with maple syrup if you wish, and sit down to drink it slowly.
A note from Gina: Because matcha contains caffeine, it belongs to the first part of your day. Enjoy it in the morning or early afternoon, and let your evenings belong to caffeine-free herbal infusions.