I’m from Japan, home to some of the world’s longest living people: The No. 1 beverage I drink every day

Growing up in Nara, Japan, surrounded by tea fields, matcha has always been a part of my life. The full aroma and the deep bitter and sweet umami taste of this vivid green tea evokes so much nostalgia for me. 

When I was in high school, I started taking formal tea ceremony lessons. It was a highlight of my week. Our tea master would always give my classmates and me delicious, seasonal Japanese wagashi (sweets)and flowers, and she invited us to watch and help during her tea ceremony at a prestigious temple in Kyoto. 

I still regularly perform Chado, the traditional Japanese tea ceremony for preparing green tea. I stopped for a time when I moved to the United States, but resuming the practice here in New York has provided a valuable sense of community for me. 

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More than anything, I associate matcha with the wisdom of my elders. My 99-year-old aunt and my 98-year-old mentor, who I call Papa-san, have been making their own matcha for most of their lives. I've even inherited some of their matcha bowls and utensils.

Matcha is my No. 1 beverage for boosting longevity, and I drink it every day.

Matcha contains key nutrients like vitamins A, C and K; fiber; protein and the amino acid l-theanine, which has been shown to help improve sleep, reduce stress and boost cognitive function. 

It also has polyphenols like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds in plants that are high in antioxidants and can help fight illness and inflammation. 

Studies have also shown that matcha can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and can improve your gut health as well. 

There are so many ways to consume matcha, including sweet treats like