Our Favorite Natural Energy Drink

Tess Patrick TESS PATRICK

There’s nothing quite like that first sip of coffee. The warm, hug in a mug feeling that flows throughout your body, the hit of energy you need to start the day. Or maybe you rely on a different stimulant to get you out of bed - Red Bull, or other sugary, processed drinks.

There are many ways we can boost our energy throughout the day. Opting for sugar-laden, chemical and caffeine-filled drinks will only give a short, unnatural burst of energy, wearing down our adrenal glands and contributing to serious long-term health problems.

With time, we can learn to swap out the inflaming pick-me-ups for a more nurturing alternative, and I’m personally quite happy that my favorite natural energy drink is having another moment on social media.

What is it?

It’s matcha.

But matcha isn’t a new trend, despite it seeming so. Matcha use as a stimulant actually stems back hundreds of years, where it originated in Japanese culture. Traditionally it was used in tea ceremonies, focussing more on spiritual connection, but nowadays it is loved around the world for its health benefits.

Matcha is made from green tea leaves that contain L-Theanine and a small amount of naturally occurring caffeine (less than coffee), both providing energy-boosting effects. It helps to invigorate your metabolism gently lifting you without any energy slumps! 

So how should you have it?

There’s no one way.

  1. You can take it hot, like tea. Mix 1 cup of water, 1 tsp of maple syrup, and 2 Tbsp of matcha powder for a tasty brew.

  1. You can also make a matcha latte. Mix 2 Tbsp matcha with 2 Tbsp hot water, then top with freshly frothed oat milk. Sweeten to your liking with a splash of maple syrup or honey.

  1. How about an iced latte? Matcha can do that too! Mix 2 Tbsp of matcha with your favorite nut milk, and pour over ice.

Do you love matcha as mucha as we do? Let us know how you like it in the comments below.

Tess Patrick

BY TESS PATRICK

Tess has brought together her background in journalism and communications and her passion for nutrition to add to the Food Matters team. Her time is spent dreaming up new articles, researching the latest in nutrition news, and engaging with you, our readers. When she’s not cooking up a storm in the kitchen, you’ll find her trying to catch a wave, catching up on her nutrition and naturopathy studies, or hanging out with her cat, Salem.