Oh! Thank you for this tip and link. I’ll share it with my husband. He appreciates all things Japanese. Including Japanese archery (Kyudo) and the Japanese flute (shakuhachi) and brush painting. Plus all the different kinds of tea…
I can't recommend a specific brand, since so many are so good. Just make sure whatever you buy is organic! Some brands are much less expensive if you buy a lot. So this one is less than $2 an ounce (matcha can cost $15 an ounce, no joke) and you buy 300 servings! Kind of a lot. This is a referred link so if you click and buy from this URL I get a 3% kickback (I think I make an average of $10 every 3 months on Amazon. LOL. I don't recommend buying on Amazon. I prefer to support local commerce if and when possible...): https://amzn.to/4kWXck2
Great post, thank you, Jennifer. The only thing I’d add—apologies if this was already covered—is while L-theanine is calming and generally will balance the potential effects of caffeine in Matcha, some individuals may still be sensitive and prone to hyperactivity. A good idea to take it slow and listen to one’s body.
Thank you for this addition, Robert. I agree that it's always a good idea to take it slow and listen to one's body! It's true that people who are sensitive to caffeine may well get a bigger zing from matcha than those of us who drink it regularly!
This is really useful to hear. I've been noticing my cognitive sharpness slipping as I stand on the precipice of 60. I've never been a tea drinker though I've occasionally tried to become one—it seems so civilized. The closest I've managed, aside from a few herbal tea, is chai. And I try to be careful about caffeine intake. So what do you think about adding matcha to a smoothie? And do you recommend against it in supplemental form (assuming there is a good reliable brand)?
Adding matcha to a smoothie is a great idea! You can also make matcha energy balls which are easy to make and very delicious. You can get supplements based on different extracts from green tea. Worth trying if you want to--perhaps they will help? I tend to follow T. Colin Campbell who argues that whole foods confer many more bioavailable nutrients than processed supplements. If you're wanting supplements I would buy organic matcha powder and some empty capsules (the former is expensive, the latter is very cheap) and make my own. That said, there's something so wonderful about the ritual of making and drinking the matcha. Who knows? You might find that you enjoy doing it and even drinking it!
If you decide to try it, check back and let us know what you think. The bitter flavor is not for everyone. Add some local raw unfiltered honey! Also there’s a link in the article to an important longevity study by Kara Fitzgerald ND and her team. They had participants drinking 2 cups of green tea and 3 cups of oolong per day. Along with many other diet changes. In just 3 weeks they found markers of more longevity in their participants’ biochemistry. I should write an article about their study. It’s was done nearly five years ago. Very relevant and evergreen though.
I will start today (adding honey too) and let you know if I notice a difference. I love being my own research animal. I will check out Fitzgerald's longevity study too. However, I would greatly appreciate an article by you on it!
How is the matcha drinking going? I can write an article about longevity. It's a topic of keen interest to me. I've been expecting to live a long healthy life--all my mom's sisters are still alive in their 80s now. Who knows if that's still in the cards this go around on Earth (no idea if I'll get another, but I hope so)? Still, it's a subject that fascinates me. Thanks for the suggestion.
So, I did not start yet. I read your article again. I am confused. Is green tea good enough or do I need to get matcha for my N=one? I almost bought some at Whole Foods today, but it is pretty pricey. I just couldn't pull the trigger. I am also hesitating because I seem to have issues with oxalates, and green and black teas are pretty high in that. So I am assuming matcha is too.
Thanks for this reminder to make some matcha, not top off the coffee carafe!
If you select the slowest shipping option (a few months), one can get high quality organic Japanese foods at a great price: thejapanstore.jp
Grateful for all you share with us!
Oh! Thank you for this tip and link. I’ll share it with my husband. He appreciates all things Japanese. Including Japanese archery (Kyudo) and the Japanese flute (shakuhachi) and brush painting. Plus all the different kinds of tea…
Excellent info thanks so much!
Glad it resonates with you! Are you a matcha person?
Never heard of it till your article! Sounds amazing though! What brand is the best?
I can't recommend a specific brand, since so many are so good. Just make sure whatever you buy is organic! Some brands are much less expensive if you buy a lot. So this one is less than $2 an ounce (matcha can cost $15 an ounce, no joke) and you buy 300 servings! Kind of a lot. This is a referred link so if you click and buy from this URL I get a 3% kickback (I think I make an average of $10 every 3 months on Amazon. LOL. I don't recommend buying on Amazon. I prefer to support local commerce if and when possible...): https://amzn.to/4kWXck2
Thanks for the link! God bless you and keep you close to his heart always! 😘
Thank you for the info!
🙏
Great post, thank you, Jennifer. The only thing I’d add—apologies if this was already covered—is while L-theanine is calming and generally will balance the potential effects of caffeine in Matcha, some individuals may still be sensitive and prone to hyperactivity. A good idea to take it slow and listen to one’s body.
Thank you for this addition, Robert. I agree that it's always a good idea to take it slow and listen to one's body! It's true that people who are sensitive to caffeine may well get a bigger zing from matcha than those of us who drink it regularly!
This is really useful to hear. I've been noticing my cognitive sharpness slipping as I stand on the precipice of 60. I've never been a tea drinker though I've occasionally tried to become one—it seems so civilized. The closest I've managed, aside from a few herbal tea, is chai. And I try to be careful about caffeine intake. So what do you think about adding matcha to a smoothie? And do you recommend against it in supplemental form (assuming there is a good reliable brand)?
Adding matcha to a smoothie is a great idea! You can also make matcha energy balls which are easy to make and very delicious. You can get supplements based on different extracts from green tea. Worth trying if you want to--perhaps they will help? I tend to follow T. Colin Campbell who argues that whole foods confer many more bioavailable nutrients than processed supplements. If you're wanting supplements I would buy organic matcha powder and some empty capsules (the former is expensive, the latter is very cheap) and make my own. That said, there's something so wonderful about the ritual of making and drinking the matcha. Who knows? You might find that you enjoy doing it and even drinking it!
Fascinating. So much to learn!
My husband been taking L-theanine before bed time and I been using matcha for bars snacks (cereal or protein)
Very useful, will reconsider drinking matcha instead of coffee or in the afternoon.
Sounds like something I want and need. Great info!
If you decide to try it, check back and let us know what you think. The bitter flavor is not for everyone. Add some local raw unfiltered honey! Also there’s a link in the article to an important longevity study by Kara Fitzgerald ND and her team. They had participants drinking 2 cups of green tea and 3 cups of oolong per day. Along with many other diet changes. In just 3 weeks they found markers of more longevity in their participants’ biochemistry. I should write an article about their study. It’s was done nearly five years ago. Very relevant and evergreen though.
I will start today (adding honey too) and let you know if I notice a difference. I love being my own research animal. I will check out Fitzgerald's longevity study too. However, I would greatly appreciate an article by you on it!
How is the matcha drinking going? I can write an article about longevity. It's a topic of keen interest to me. I've been expecting to live a long healthy life--all my mom's sisters are still alive in their 80s now. Who knows if that's still in the cards this go around on Earth (no idea if I'll get another, but I hope so)? Still, it's a subject that fascinates me. Thanks for the suggestion.
So, I did not start yet. I read your article again. I am confused. Is green tea good enough or do I need to get matcha for my N=one? I almost bought some at Whole Foods today, but it is pretty pricey. I just couldn't pull the trigger. I am also hesitating because I seem to have issues with oxalates, and green and black teas are pretty high in that. So I am assuming matcha is too.
Any thoughts, Jennifer?