i saw an influencer make matcha in 2019 and thought "i need that." i tried it. it was good.

i bought a set, the whisk, the bowl, the ceremonial grade powder. i liked the process. heating the water, whisking it, drinking it slow. it was calm.

around the same time i was diagnosed with hashimoto's. caffeine wasn't great for me anymore. matcha has some, but it hits different, slower, softer. it worked for me. that was enough of a reason.

then it became everything. matcha lattes, matcha ice cream, matcha mochi. not because it was trendy. because i genuinely liked the taste.