Ancient traditions are experiencing a resurgence in modern culture, from primal eating and fitness principles to botanical medicine and meditation practices. We are seeking new ways to restore old wisdoms and the net result is enhanced wellbeing and intuitive synergy with nature. Artists and entrepreneurs are central to reimagining and rewilding our ways, they take the core value of natural, simple traditions and repackage them to have relevance for a new generation.
A Creative Brew with an Ancient Heritage.
Tea ceremonies are part of old world culture across the globe. In Japan this tradition is practised with Matcha tea, a fine powder made from green tea leaves. When consumed as part of a tea ceremony, Matcha provides meditative benefits in addition to its unique health properties—a huge draw for people seeking clarity and calm. However, ceremonial grade matcha is expensive and requires extra equipment and effort to prepare.
There are Many Ways to Appreciate Matcha.
Until recently, it was perceived as a special occasion indulgence and wasn’t widely recognised beyond the tea realm nor was it affordable or accessible to the masses. That was, of course, until the birth of Matcha Maiden in late November 2014.
Sarah Holloway (aka: the Matcha Maiden) discovered the magic of matcha many years ago at its very source in Japan. Her travels throughout Asia where matcha is hailed as a hero of health allowed her to discover its many benefits as a natural and versatile fuel for the mind, body and soul. On returning to Australia to find the miracles of matcha largely undiscovered, Sarah and her partner Nic set out to change the world’s perception of matcha powder shifting it from a “ceremonial tea” to a “daily use superfood”.
After much research and taste-testing, the pair sourced their Japanese-certified organic Mix N Matcha from the world renowned lush rolling fields of Kyoto, Japan. Because it is so concentrated, you can get up to 137 x the antioxidants of regular green tea per serve and up to 10 x the overall nutritional content. Its powdered form also lends it to uses far more creative than a plain tea, you can mix and match(a) with your favourite healthy recipes: matcha green tea flavoured smoothies, desserts, salad dressings, skincare, every kind of match(a) made in heaven. It is good on-the-go, no equipment or pre-preparation required.
Matcha Maiden values the source whilst inspiring a creative twist on tradition. As part of this the company collaborates with various food artisans and nutritionists to continually re-invent their offerings. Releasing limited edition matcha bread mixes, seasonings, moisturisers, bath salts—the potential is limitless.
Making the Most of Matcha with Sarah Holloway.
What elements of the tea ceremony hold the greatest value to modern culture?
While we were captivated by the beauty of the tea ceremony when we first encountered matcha, Matcha Maiden takes a bit of a unique approach to things—we have moved our focus away from the traditional tea ceremony and expensive “special occasion” ceremonial blends in favour of showcasing the versatility of matcha and encouraging a broader audience to give it a try. It has so many health benefits but hadn’t really been tapped into as a daily use “superfood” when we started out. We also felt it was a bit inaccessible because it required the purchase of additional equipment (i.e. the whisk) to prepare and we wanted everyone to be able to enjoy matcha in many different forms.
The tea ceremony is however a very special ritual that we have loved experiencing in Japan. We have moved away from it to keep up with the fast-pace of modern life, but that in itself is perhaps a sign that we need to incorporate parts of this ritual into our lives today. We love how it is steeped in culture and allows guests a peaceful and tranquil moment to truly connect and honour each other leaving the worries of the world outside. We could all incorporate a few more moments of stillness and appreciation in our busy lives!
How do you optimise Matcha throughout your day to boost clarity, stamina, energy?
We use matcha all throughout the day as a booster, but particularly in the mornings to kickstart the day. Because of its unique amino acid, L-theanine, the caffeine in matcha releases more slowly and stably into the bloodstream so matcha replaces our morning coffee to set the day up the right way.
Can the health and flavor benefits of Matcha be enhanced by other ingredients?
Most certainly—in our books, there’s nothing that matcha doesn’t go well with. We sneak it into everything and anything, enjoying all kinds of flavour and ingredient combinations. While the more common usage is in beverages, such as lattes and smoothies, we also use it in both sweet and savoury cooking and baking. There are no limits to how you can reap the benefits of this vibrant green powder.
Discover your perfect Match@ at: www.matchamaiden.com
