Predicted to be one of the most popular superfoods of 2022, one serving of the magical green tea powder “Matcha” contains around a third of the caffeine in coffee but provides a sustainable, jitters-free energy boost (around six hours’ worth) thanks to its slow-release properties. The green tea amino acid, L-theanine (L-THE) is associated with several health benefits, including improvements in mood, cognition and a reduction of stress and anxiety-like symptoms.
SAYURI was set up by Toyko-born, US-raised, Yureeka Yasuda as a mission-driven brand that honours Japanese traditions and promotes the health benefits of a daily tea ritual. When choosing matcha, quality is essential as different processes severely affect the taste. Yureeka explains, “If you’ve tried matcha and didn’t like it – chances are it was low quality (even if you paid a lot for it). A good quality, premium grown matcha will never taste bitter.”
Quality is guaranteed in SAYURI artisanal matchas, which are hand-picked by Yureeka who deals directly from selected tea fields around Japan. The company uses sustainable growing methods while supporting the workers whose lives depend on it.
Buying matcha from companies who work directly with growers in Japan will not only ensure that the tea is of a high quality, but also keep the country’s historic tradition alive. Matcha is inherent in Japanese culture – used for over 800 years by Zen monks to calm the mind, energize the body, and achieve enlightenment. Today it has a global following as people prioritize their health and well-being.
Yureeka describes preparing matcha as a precious time to disconnect and focus on the present moment. “It’s almost meditative,” she explains. “In Japan, tea is a way of life encouraging mindfulness and appreciating the way things are. It’s the opposite of praising decadence – a bowl of matcha allows self-improvement with every sip. Of course, matcha requires a sophisticated, acquired taste, just like art. It’s something you experience and keep building on that experience, learning to appreciate it and enjoy as you go,” she says.
Matcha is formed from grinding young leaves of green tea down to create a powder. The powder is then whisked with hot water and as whole tea leaves are consumed, the nutrient content of matcha tea is higher than typical green tea. The strong green color is achieved by covering the tea plant around 20-30 days before harvest, which helps to increase both chlorophyll production and amino acids.
