The One Supplement I Never Start My Most Hectic Days Without
All throughout college and well into my career, there’s always been one thing about me that has puzzled people: I don’t drink coffee. Now, let’s be clear: I have had coffee more times than I can count. But unlike most people, it’s something I’ve always approached more like a soda — a drink to have on occasion.
Why do I stay away from coffee? For starters, I’ve got a pretty sensitive stomach that coffee has never been kind to. More importantly, I’ve never enjoyed the way it made me feel. Sure, a cup of joe always tasted good to me, but it was never worth the inevitable shakes and jitters it would soon leave me with.
For a while, I was envious of all the coffee-drinkers around me. On days that I was either feeling sluggish or knew were going to be particularly hectic, there’s nothing more that I wanted than a jolt of energy from a cup of java like everyone around me. I knew I had to try to find a way to get the energetic boost I was looking for that wouldn’t leave me worse for the wear in the end. Enter matcha green tea powder, specifically the Jade Leaf Organic Japanese Matcha Green Tea Powder ($19.95, Amazon).
Like coffee, matcha green tea powder is rich in caffeine, making it a natural substitute. What makes matcha different from java is the presence of L-theanine, a naturally occurring amino acid found in tea leaves. Shown to ease both stress and anxiety without drowsiness while also improving focus and cognitive function, when L-theanine and caffeine combine the result is a slower release of energy. Because the caffeine is being released at a slower, calmer rate thanks to the L-theanine, many people find they can remain energetic and focused for longer periods of time without any of the jitters the fast release of caffeine in coffee can cause.
So, I gave matcha green tea powder a try and immediately knew I had found my match. What I specifically love about the Jade Leaf Organic Japanese Matcha Green Tea Powder, aside from its strong, earthy taste and gentle, sustained energy, is the fact that it’s a high-quality, responsibly-sourced matcha powder that won’t burn a hole in your wallet. Now fair warning, as this is a supplement grade matcha powder, it’s pretty potent, meaning it may be bitter for some (Jade Leaf recommends using this specific powder in smoothies as a result). However, I find it only slightly bitter when prepared as a delicious matcha latte.
Matcha Powder Latte Recipe
Like many people, I enjoy having my matcha in a latte form. For a simple matcha latte, I use the following:
- 1 cup of milk (or milk substitute)
- 1 teaspoon of Jade Leaf Matcha Supplement powder
- 1 teaspoon of agave nectar (or other sugar substitute)
Simply warm the milk, whisk in a teaspoon of the supplements, and serve! To counteract the bitterness of the powder, I like to add one teaspoon of agave nectar to slightly sweeten it up, but feel free to use whatever sweeter you enjoy most. Ready to get your hands on Jade Leaf’s Organic Japanese Matcha Green Tea Powder and finally say goodbye to those dreadful coffee jitters? Click the link below to shop this supplement today!
Note: As always, speak to your doctor before starting any supplement to remain happy and healthy.
Where to buy: $19.95, Amazon
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