Autumn Boost: A Little Matcha, A Little Self-made Sunshine 🍵🌺☀️

Finding calm energy and small moments of tenderness during Seattle's rainy season.

Seattle, we've officially entered our dark and gloomy era.

The days are getting shorter, the rain is settling in, and sometimes getting through an afternoon calls for a little extra encouragement.

And by encouragement, I mean matcha.

Preferably in a beautiful latte.

A Little Tropical Sunshine

Today's autumn pick-me-up features our beloved Jyoraku Matcha, a creamy latte, and the cutest little plumeria-shaped matcha ice cube.

The ice cube is made from cold-brew matcha, adding another layer of tea flavor as it slowly melts into the latte.

I love the contrast.

A tropical flower floating in a cozy autumn drink.

A little reminder of sunshine on a gray Seattle day.

And something about making an ordinary beverage a little more beautiful just makes the whole experience feel special.

The Science Behind Matcha's Calm Energy

One of the reasons I appreciate matcha is its natural combination of caffeine and L-theanine.

Caffeine is well known for promoting alertness, while L-theanine is an amino acid naturally found in tea.

Researchers have studied how these compounds work together.

In a peer-reviewed randomized controlled trial published in Nutritional Neuroscience in 2010, researchers examined the effects of 97 mg of L-theanine combined with 40 mg of caffeine in 44 young adults.

They found improvements in certain measures of attention and alertness compared with placebo, along with reduced self-reported tiredness.

The study used specific doses of the compounds rather than a prepared matcha latte, so the findings don't guarantee the same effects from every cup.

Still, it's a fascinating look at the science behind tea.

Reference: Effects of L-theanine and caffeine on cognitive performance, mood and alertness — PubMed

A Little Tender Loving Care

Beyond the potential benefits of matcha, I think there's something equally valuable about the ritual itself.

Taking a few minutes to prepare something beautiful.

Choosing your favorite cup (in this case, a cool girl Pink Stanley 😎 🩷🍵🍃

Watching a little flower-shaped ice cube melt into a creamy green latte.

Giving yourself permission to enjoy the moment. (FOR REAL)

Especially during these darker months, I think we can all use a little more gentleness.

Not every moment needs to be productive.

Not every cup of tea needs to serve a purpose beyond making us happy.

Sometimes it's enough to simply enjoy something lovely.

So here's your autumn reminder:

Make the pretty drink. Take the little break. Be kind to yourself.

A little extra matcha.

A little extra tenderness.

Just what autumn ordered.

Love you, tea fam. xo 🤍

Flowering Waters