Located on the corner of Broome and Mott sits a combination of pink and green, commonly known as Cha Cha Matcha. This modern NoLita shop serves up the latest craze that is dominating the Instagrammable food market: matcha.
What is matcha?
According to Wikipedia, and I'm going to quote them despite what all of my professors have told me, matcha "is finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea. It is special in two aspects of farming and processing: The green tea plants for matcha are shade-grown for about three weeks before harvest, and the stems and veins are removed in processing."
What do you need to know about matcha?
I'm glad you asked. Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, of Health.com, says that there are seven things you should know about matcha.
1. It's a special form of green tea.
2. It has a ton of health benefits, like anti-aging effects and boosting your metabolism.
3. It contains caffeine.
4. Its origin is rooted in pair with meditation.
5. All matcha powder isn't created equal. "In other words, high quality, fresh, pure matcha is expensive. A low price tag can be a red flag for a poor quality product."
6. Despite its benefits, lead contamination is a concern with matcha.
7. It is not just a drink, it can be incorporated into meals.
So, what is so great about the matcha at Cha Cha Matcha?
I'm also glad you asked this. Similar to other areas of my life where I'm just an unqualified college student stating my opinion, I actually have never had matcha prior to going to try the new Internet sensation. That being said, I did a ton of research. I also quizzed my roommate and fellow Odyssey creator, Amanda Choy, about where she normally gets matcha and where in the city it is the best.
"It's refreshing to see specialty cafes like Cha Cha focus on matcha. The extra care and attention to the preparation of these drinks translates to better flavors and quality."
The menu boasts of everything from coconut lattes to soft-serve to lemonade. The interior is decorated with pink and green tables, pushed against a lovely tropical print. The line moved quickly, even as the 2 p.m. Saturday rush quietly took over the store front.
I ordered an iced matcha latte with soy milk and it was good. Scratch that - great. Along with soy milk, there were a ton of different non-dairy milk options, as well as the standard dairy options. But the soy milk catered well with matcha's gritty taste and texture to produce this wonderful concoction. And while I was sipping on it with a slight headache on a Saturday afternoon, I knew this would be a great morning swap with a muffin instead of regularly brewed coffee.
And I'm an avid coffee drinker, I'm talking Gold Star member at Starbucks since December 2011. That being said, I will actually consider grabbing a matcha latte versus the coffee version. 
But, let's be honest, who wouldn't fall in love with cute pink cup holders and white-washed brick walls?
Not me.
That being said, you should totally follow me on Instagram, because, guess what? I would love that so matcha.
Check out Odyssey Video coverage of Cha Cha Matcha here.
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