Why Matcha Travels Everywhere With Me (And Why My 85-Year-Old Dad Finally Loves My Matcha Shaker)
Whenever I return to Japan, people often ask what I miss most.
Yes, I love soaking in hot springs, exploring local markets, eating seasonal vegetables and discovering regional foods. But honestly, the best part of every trip is simply spending time with my family. One of our favourite daily rituals has become incredibly simple.
Morning tea.
Afternoon tea.
Just sitting down together for a cup of Japanese matcha.
Matcha has become part of our family routine
My parents used to drink matcha only on special occasions. Today, they enjoy it every single day. Ironically, I’m the reason why.
More than ten years ago, while researching my?Japanese Superfoods Cookbook, I spent over two years reading scientific studies on Japanese superfoods, particularly matcha and green tea. The more I learned about matcha benefits, the more fascinated I became. I gradually swapped my coffee habit for matcha. It didn’t happen overnight, but today I rarely drink coffee. Eventually, my enthusiasm rubbed off on my parents.
Now, every time I visit Japan, we enjoy our daily matcha together.
During this trip, we even enjoyed our matcha while admiring a beautiful cactus flower that had finally bloomed. My parents were so proud of it, making our quiet matcha moments even more special.
Thanks to my matcha obsession, my parents are now daily matcha drinkers too! Every trip home isn’t complete without our morning or afternoon matcha together, especially this time with my parents’ beautiful cactus flower in bloom.
Why I drink matcha every day
People often ask why I recommend matcha so highly. One reason is that, unlike regular green tea, you’re consuming the entire tea leaf. That means you’re enjoying a concentrated source of naturally occurring nutrients and antioxidants.
Some of the reasons I include matcha in my daily routine are:
- Rich in antioxidants, including EGCG
- Naturally contains L-theanine for calm focus
- Provides gentle, sustained energy without the coffee crash
- Supports overall wellbeing as part of a balanced diet
- An easy way to enjoy one of Japan’s traditional superfoods every day
Of course, no single food is a miracle. I simply believe that small, healthy habits practised consistently can make a real difference over time.
Why my 85-year-old dad finally loves my Matcha Shaker
My father is now 85. For many years, he believed matcha should only be prepared using a traditional bamboo whisk and tea bowl. Whenever he saw me using my Matcha Shaker, he would shake his head.
To be fair, making beautiful matcha with a bamboo whisk does take practice. (My sister studied Japanese tea ceremony for ten years… I only lasted two before running away!). It also requires a reasonably strong wrist.
As Dad has gotten older, whisking matcha has become more difficult. One day he reluctantly tried my Matcha Shaker. Now he uses it every day. He simply adds matcha and water, gives it a quick shake and enjoys smooth, lump-free matcha in less than a minute. Watching him make matcha so easily reminded me of something important.
Healthy habits don’t have to be complicated.
Sometimes making something easier is exactly what helps us stick with it.
Why I always travel with my Matcha Shaker
Whether I’m travelling around Japan, staying in a hotel, catching the Shinkansen or preparing for one of my cooking classes, my Matcha Shaker is always in my bag. It’s lightweight, compact and made in Japan. It means I can enjoy authentic ceremonial-grade matcha almost anywhere.
No whisk.
No bowl.
No special technique.
Just smooth, delicious matcha wherever I am.
Made in Japan with a unique mixing design. No whisk, no special technique – just smooth matcha wherever you go.
Thinking about trying matcha?
If you’ve been wanting to enjoy matcha at home but felt it looked too complicated, don’t let that stop you.
My Matcha Starter Kit includes everything you need to get started:
- Organic ceremonial-grade Japanese matcha
- Mini Matcha Shaker made in Japan
- Measuring spoon
- Simple instructions
Whether you’re at home, at work or travelling, it’s never been easier to enjoy authentic Japanese matcha every day.
After all, if it can convert my very traditional 85-year-old father, it might just win you over too.
Happy healthy cooking,
Yoshiko
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