Matcha: My First (Non-Toxic) Love

Wellness trends come and go, but if there’s one thing I’ll defend until my last breath, it’s matcha. Like any semi well-adjusted person, I love knowing exactly what’s in my drinks (unfortunately, I cannot say the same for my past dating choices). There’s just something about that bright green, slightly grassy flavor that brings me a happiness I can’t quite explain. Maybe it’s the joy of making it, the aesthetic factor, or the fact that it makes me feel like I have my life together—but either way, I’m OBSESSED.

I, like any other sane person, used to live for my morning coffee—and back in my college days, these occasionally included a shot of tequila (don’t ask, I’ve come a long way). Coffee was my ride-or-die until I realized it was doing me dirty—cue the jitters, the mid-morning energy crash, and the sudden urge to question all of my life decisions by 2 PM. Enter matcha, my first non-toxic love (yes, that includes men).

The switch wasn’t immediate, but once I discovered the creamy, velvety goodness of a well-made matcha latte, there was no going back. Unlike coffee, matcha gives me a smooth, sustained energy boost without making me feel like I’m one second away from an existential crisis. Plus, it’s packed with antioxidants, L-theanine (whatever that is) for calm focus, and anti-inflammatory properties—which means I can pretend I’m drinking it purely for health reasons rather than the fact that it looks stunning in my favorite matcha cup.

Now, just to be clear—I am not a complete wellness freak. I still indulge in my Starbies addiction, though I have to admit that ever since they reformulated their matcha, my loyalty has been tested. (Seriously, what happened?) But for the most part, I’m fully committed to my homemade matcha era. The ritual of whisking it, pouring it over ice, and taking that first sip? It’s a lifestyle.