"I'm from Japan, home to the world's longest-lived: My top daily drink"

Discover the daily beverage of someone from Japan, a country famous for having some of the world’s longest-lived people. Learn how this drink contributes to their longevity and overall health. As Japan is known for its exceptional life expectancy, find out why this particular drink is a staple in their daily routine and its role in promoting a long, healthy life.

Growing up in Nara, Japan, surrounded by tea fields, matcha has been a constant in my life. The rich aroma and the complex bitter-sweet umami flavor of this vibrant green tea always bring me a sense of nostalgia.

During high school, I began formal tea ceremony lessons, which quickly became a weekly highlight. Our tea master often treated us to seasonal Japanese wagashi (sweets) and flowers and invited us to observe and assist with her tea ceremonies at a renowned Kyoto temple. I continue to practice Chado, the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, for preparing green tea. Although I paused when I moved to the U.S., resuming the practice in New York has been a valuable way to connect with others.

For me, matcha embodies the wisdom of my elders. My 99-year-old aunt and my 98-year-old mentor, whom I call Papa-san, have been preparing their own matcha for decades. I’ve even inherited some of their matcha bowls and tools. Matcha is my top beverage for enhancing longevity, and I consume it daily. It contains essential nutrients such as vitamins A, C, and K, fiber, protein, and the amino acid l-theanine, known to improve sleep, reduce stress, and boost cognitive function.

It also includes polyphenols like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which are antioxidants that can help combat illness and inflammation. Research indicates that matcha may reduce cardiovascular disease risk and improve gut health. Matcha can be enjoyed in various forms, including sweet treats like cakes, cookies, chia pudding, and mochi. When served matcha in a traditional setting, follow these steps: Say “Okemae chodai Itashimasu,” meaning “Thank you for the tea,” then pick up the bowl with both hands, appreciate its color, and savor the moment. After drinking, hold the bowl with both hands again and return it to its place, always showing gratitude and embracing the experience.

My daily matcha ritual starts with offering a prayer and a bowl of matcha to my ancestors. I then prepare a bowl for myself and one for my son before he leaves for work as a physical therapist. This ritual provides me with a profound sense of peace.

Here’s my preparation routine:

1. Boil about two ounces of water.
2. Pour half a cup of hot water into my bowl, using a chasen (bamboo tea whisk) to purify the tools. Takayama, a village in Nara, is renowned for its chasen craftsmanship.
3. Discard the water and wipe the bowl with a clean cloth or paper towel.
4. Measure two grams of green matcha powder with a chashaku (traditional bamboo scoop) and place it in the bowl.
5. Pour approximately 60 ml of hot water over the powder, appreciating the aroma.
6. Hold the bowl with my left hand and whisk the mixture with the chasen held vertically for about 20 seconds, a moment I refer to as my “gift of Zen.”

In Japan, I made my own tea scoop at Master Tango Tanimura’s workshop in Takayama, Nara, where the Tanimura family has been crafting tea whisks for nearly 500 years. In summer, I sometimes transfer the tea to a thermos and add crushed ice for a refreshing treat. I recommend matcha from the Ippodo Tea Company, based in Kyoto since the 1700s, and suggest using bamboo whisks, which are available in Asian grocery stores or online. For beginners, a small kitchen whisk or a mason jar with a lid can be used, but avoid blenders as they can damage the delicate matcha powder.

After this meditative routine, I always feel a sense of lightness and healing.

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Source: CNBC‍