Goodbye Coffee, Hello Matcha

At the start of the year, two of my closest companions hit me with a wild challenge—one I never saw coming… coffee abstinence. Apparently, my beloved brew was wreaking havoc on my cortisol levels, mood, and anxiety. COFFEE? NEVER! I refused to believe it (though, let’s be real, with my background in herbalism, Ayurveda, and holistic healing, I technically knew better).

Being a fiery Pitta, I obviously accepted the challenge on the spot and dove headfirst into a coffee-free week. The first few days? Brutal. I leaned hard on green tea, black tea, and my trusty herbal blends—nettles, tulsi, oatstraw, and lemon balm—to fill the gaping void in my life.

Then, something weird happened. My energy started leveling out—which was shocking, because I didn’t even know it was unlevel. Not only did I feel steady yet capable, but I also became noticeably less reactive to life's little irritations. My usual mood swings (which I always blamed on being a Gemini) had nearly vanished into thin air. My week of abstinence turned into a month, which turned into three, and now - here we are! Coffee free.

But there was one thing I did miss—the ritual. Every morning, I had a whole sacred process: first, a cup of room-temperature water (bonus points for lemon), then two glorious shots of espresso. My lattes were legendary (ask my friends)—blended with mushroom powders, cacao, ghee, and an herbal-infused honey, frothed to perfection. A true sensory experience.

I needed a worthy replacement. Herbal teas are wonderful, but I drink them all day—I craved something special for my mornings.

Enter MATCHA. You’ve definitely heard of her. A finely ground green tea powder with roots in Tang Dynasty China, later perfected by Japanese Zen monks in the 12th century for meditation and focus. Thank you, monks!

Matcha is packed with L-theanine and antioxidants, delivering sustained energy, mental clarity, and metabolic support—a true adaptogen for our ADHD-ridden, gut-imbalanced culture. And, of course, it has soared in popularity here in the U.S., where we’re endlessly fascinated by things that are good for us (especially when they come from far, far away).

Back to ritual. I had never really bonded with matcha before, but why not start now? Especially knowing the quality of OWL’s ceremonial-grade matcha—and the absolutely adorable Matcha Kit, complete with a ceramic bowl and chasen (bamboo whisk!). And let me tell you, it’s been serving me.

To prepare my matcha, I whisk a teaspoon of powder with hot (not boiling!) water in my ceramic bowl, zigzagging until it’s frothy. I like to send gratitude to the matcha for its long journey to my cup and set an intention for the day.

Then, I pick out a mug and add a dollop of honey or agave. I pour in the matcha, top it with heated oat, almond, or coconut milk, and—perfection. A pinch of cinnamon, cacao, or cardamom on top is a must, and sometimes I’ll even sprinkle rose petals or lavender for a little extra magic. I love the clean, clear energy matcha gives me—no jitters, no adrenal crash, just steady, joyful, and dare I say… zen vibes.

Here’s to my matcha journey, which has been beautiful so far. Cheers to your beginning as well!

Sophia Avramides

Sophia Avramides is an herbalist, Ayurvedic health coach at OWL Venice, and storyteller who loves to weave together ancient wisdom with modern ritual. As the founder of Avraveda, she crafts botanical elixirs, educates on herbal alchemy, and guides others in aligning with nature’s rhythms. Whether she’s coaching, learning, creating, or writing about the plants that have changed her life, Sophia brings curiosity, depth, and a little pixie dust to everything she does.