Matcha is an essential part of the Mermaid Waves diet, but not just for its amazing taste. Matcha is packed with antioxidants, literally packed. The antioxidants in one cup of matcha is the equivalent of drinking 10 cups of green tea, because when you drink matcha you are ingesting the actual tea leaf. Matcha contains a specific kind of antioxidant called a catechin that contains potent cancer-fighting properties. Your girl matcha is also known to reduce anxiety due to L-theanine that is found in the tea leaves, L-theanine is known to induce relaxation without any drowsiness. I swear it works, whenever I am feeling overly anxious, if I can't go to Soulcycle, I drink a cup of matcha and immediately feel like I can breathe again. Matcha also boosts energy levels due to its unique blend of nutrients, not so much the caffeine levels. Plus the L-theanine helps reduce any caffeine "crash" and the mood-lifting effects can last up to six hours post matcha enjoyment.
Matcha has been my drink of choice for a minute now but it wasn't always easy to find in Chicago, today I am feeling blessed that Chicago has finally boarded the matcha train. Chicago may not have Cha Cha Matcha or Alfred's Tea, but we have a pretty solid lineup of destinations to get your matcha fix. Trust me. No matter what neighborhood of the city I am in I know where the nearest (and best) matcha is. Whether you're in the mood for a refreshing iced matcha, a hot matcha latte, or something in between I've got your back bae.
Wicker Park: Fairgrounds is one of the newer destinations on this list, but just as valid as any other. Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea has an impressive assortment of matcha drinks, my favorite is the on tap Matcha. Its smooth, refreshing and has a super light flavor. Its a great option if you can't handle straight-up matcha but aren't in the mood for a latte.
West Loop: The green tea latte from Sawada is my current obsession. If I am sort of in the area of West Loop, which I am literally all the time, I have to make a stop at Sawada. I have been sipping this tea for over a year now but just recently did I fall in love. They must have upped their quality of matcha or changed the milk to matcha because all of the sudden it is the perfect drink. I am not usually a huge soy milk person but I found this latte tastes best with soy!
Old Town
West Loop + Wicker Park: Urbanbelly may not be the place you expect to grab the perfect matcha but thats just because you don't know any better. The mint matcha at Urbanbelly is the epitome of refreshing, its sweet, cool, and has a fresh mint flavor that will cure any summer-time struggles. I often walk to Urbanbelly, because I live dangerously close, and love cooling down with a mint matcha while I eat my favorite rice + salad bowl.
Honorable Mentions:
Matcha Latte at Le Pain Quotidien
Vanilla Matcha at Davids Tea
