Trainers – As in T H E T R A I N To Matcha Source
This couple strolled in today. They took THE TRAIN, as in public transportation, from The OC. That means they got dropped off at Union Station and had to take the bus, or the metro over to West Hollywood. This was incredible to me. I’ve lived in LA most of my life, except for an NYC decade, and have never taken the train anywhere around here. After I got over it, we got to know each other a bit. Chris and Rachel are green tea lovers. They tasted a few teas at the demo station and circled back around in the afternoon to make a purchase. Something to carry back on THE TRAIN. Rachel is a jewelry designer and made the crystal necklace she’s wearing. Her beau, Chris was encouraging her to invest in an iPad for credit card transactions at events like The Fire Ball. They ate at the burger joint a few doors down and brought a lot of good cheer with them. Must have been the crystals.
Mommy bloggers from Pier to Peer
Kristal Lane, one of three founding partners of the mommy blogger site Pier to Peer invited Matcha Source, er…me, to guest blog for their GRUB page in January. Makes sense, as matcha is a reknown detoxifying agent and excellent boost to any weight-loss or maintenance program. Kristal came to the store with her colleague Kimberly and one adorable two year old and we tested Matcha Almond Milk Lattes at the demo station. Read the entire blog post here: Matcha Tea For A Healthy 2012.
GIVING BACK – RACE FOR THE CURE
The P2P founders are passionate about giving back and have created a team page at the Susan G. Komen Race for The Cure site. These are busy ladies with young families who are starting a new business. And they made time and committed energy to participate and help raise awareness and funds for this charity. Their goal is to raise $5,000. Totally do-able. That’s what it’s all about – setting measurable, actionable goals. Inspiring others to do the same.
Bits & Bites, News You Can Eat – Matcha Source in WSJ in Time for New Year’s Health and Diet Resolutions
Remember the Matcha Box in NYC summer 2010? Ms. Druckman does. She first found Matcha Source on Crosby St. and has been a converted devotee ever since. Her post in Bits & Bites landed just in time to inspire, encourage and support all those New Year’s Resolutions. Read on.
Morning Matcha by Matcha Source, F. Martin Ramin for The Wall Street Journal, Styling by Anne Cardenas
The Tea
Going Green
Turning over a new leaf? Try matcha, the powdered green tea of Japan that’s so potent, a ceremonial art was developed around it. Founder of Matcha Source, Alissa White, is omniscient about the stuff; she imports it and opened her first retail storefront earlier this month in Los Angeles. According to Ms. White, the potable increases energy, perks up moods, is antioxidant-rich, detoxes like nobody’s business, boosts metabolism and balances the body’s pH levels. All we know is, a bowlful a day makes us feel good. Serious sippers should try the thinner Morning ($33 per 30-gram tin) or thicker Kama ($45) styles—these are to be whisked and served hot (if you don’t have the necessary accessories, Ms. White’s pre-assembled kits will get you sorted). Those who enjoy blended drinks such as smoothies and lattes may opt for the Cafe Grade Gotcha ($28 per 80-gram tin), which can also be used in cooking. Ms. White likes applying it to pancakes and chocolate truffles, among other things; she offers recipes on her website, matchasource.com.
—Charlotte Druckman
the potable increases energy, perks up moods, is antioxidant-rich, detoxes like nobody’s business, boosts metabolism and balances the body’s pH levels. All we know is, a bowlful a day makes us feel good.
Matcha for Women
It’s the most beautiful Saturday afternoon here in LA this Christmas Eve day. Brunchers, and shoppers are out in their workout gear before feasting tonight and tomorrow. The sky is crystal clear and you can see all the way to Mt. Baldy. These two ladies were delighted I arrived to open the store for a few hours. It was a bit of a struggle to not drive straight up into the hills and check out the view. But I’m glad I did. They are newly converted as of today and first discovered our little tea via a FB post from a friend. We chatted about further developing the Matcha Source product line and one suggested, “Matcha for women. Something to help with PMS.” I told them that matcha was a natural mood enhancer and does help regulated your hormones. Lore has it it can help with fertility. I started to imagine pink packaging…. The ladies each purchased a tin and continued their post-run walk on West 3rd St, As they walked out I noticed the pink sparkling letters on the back of her sweatshirt.
- Newly converted matcha lovers – post work out, pre X-mas dinner
Matcha Lovin’ Dad
Dad as Santa at Matcha Source in LA
This funster dad rolled in the other day with one of his five children and a pack of Nat Sherman cigarettes. “I read this stuff is really good for you,” he said. “I need to repair the damage I did when I was younger. Plus I smoke. But not bad for 41 and five kids though, right?
Our new friend bought matcha gifts for VIPs on his list and then stepped outside for a ciggie. I’m no fan of the fire stick but if I were, Nat Sherman’s would be my pic. Their NYC shop is like a little cancer-free bubble of beautiful cigarette smokers. But don’t there. Come here. Drink matcha and detox.
Fun Day at the Store – Alexx, with 2 “x’s” shows Rose How to Make an Almond Milk Matcha Latte
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We had a fun day here last week. Rose was up from the South Bay and Alexx Henry, a devoted Matcha Source fan, drove way over to WEHO from Silverlake to shmooze our buffet and buy christmas gifts for his agency clients. Alexx is a power user and buys by the kilo. He seized the opportunity to jump behind the counter and show us how he likes to sift|whisk|enjoy matcha almond milk lattes at work. His secret technique? Blending matcha tea powder with agave syrup first, then adding warmed, not frothed, almond milk. To keep the milk from frothing too much Alexx put a spoon into the Nespresso machine to “slow down” the action and keep the milk warm but not aerated.
Somehow, after all that agave got used up, our power user walked out with Sugar Destroyer.
Indie Film Director Olly Blackburn at Matcha Source
- Olly Blackburn at Matcha Source in Los Angeles
Our friend, Olly dropped in to say hello, during a brief visit from London. He recommends matcha for all the hard working cast and crew on film sets and in post production studios. Maybe even a matcha latte at craft services.
Muffin Tin Mania: Matcha Pancakes
Muffin Tin Mania: Matcha Pancakes.
He’s a rugger, a photographer, a writer, and a muffin man. Matthew Kadey loves his muffin tops and keeps coming up with new recipes for baking with matcha, like this recipe for Coconut Matcha Baked Pancakes.
Angela discovered matcha tea in the Black Book of Hollywood Diet Secrets
This is Angela. A performer and substitute school teacher here in Los Angeles. Angela read about matcha tea in The Black Book of Hollywood Diet Secrets and found Matcha Source online. Her mother subscribed to the 10 Amazing Health Facts About Matcha Tea Newsletter on our site and forwarded Angela the amazing promotion she received in her inbox. Faster than you can say, ” ‘M’ is for mom”, our girl Angela found her way to our LA store and made a B-line for Sugar Destroyer Matcha with Gymnema.”
The M entry reads: “M IS FOR MATCHA GREEN TEA: This is a concentrated form of tea in which one cup is the equivalent of eight to ten cups of green tea. It boosts your metabolism and also cuts sweet cravings.” We found matcha between “L IS FOR LIQUORICE” and N IS FOR NIGHT-TIME”. The authors Kym Douglas and Cindy Pearlman focus on living well and eating mindfully, not the “D” word. Adding matcha tea to your daily ritual will help you feel energized and alert to put in a full day and make healthy fun choices. Read our Green Tea Latte and Smoothie recipes for simple ways to prepare matcha at home.
M IS FOR MATCHA GREEN TEA: This is a concentrated form of tea in which one cup is the equivalent of eight to ten cups of green tea. It boosts your metabolism and also cuts sweet cravings.
From The Black Book Of Hollywood Diet Secrets
“A Whole Store for Matcha?”
Lindsey on the Green Carpet at Matcha Source
This is Lindsey. She wandered in on her way to I Love Nails. She is a stylist for red carpet events and loves matcha tea. Seriously loves matcha. We loved her green on green head to toe ensemble. “A whole store for matcha?” she asked with eyes wide and happy like the Good Which of the North. “Absolutely.” Lindsey promptly photographed and tweeted and texted to her BFF, also a stylist and then sampled a matcha green tea latte with almond milk and Gotcha Matcha. She bought a Matcha Mini Set with tea, whisk and holder for her room mate and Sugar Destroyer for herself. Benji sent her home with Extra Fat Green Tea Soap he hand carried back from Taipei.
