I used to drink coffee and energy drinks like water. Through college, I started drinking black coffee first thing in the morning. But I had many stomach problems and headaches. It started making me jittery and unable to focus. I still wanted caffeine, but I had to stop drinking coffee. I started drinking teas, but they didn't have enough caffeine. One day I noticed a Matcha Green Tea Latte on the menu at my favorite coffee shop. I really didn't want coffee, so I went out on a limb. I ordered it.

My initial reaction was, "EW!" The texture of frothy green and flavor of hot powdered leaves was unlike anything I've had. But I continued sipping on it. I didn't think there was a way I could sip on this every day. I went to class and the strangest thing happened. I felt alert as ever; my brain was running so fast and efficient. My mood was even lightened. I felt great.

The next morning I was craving Matcha. I woke up late and didn't have time for breakfast, which is a big no-no for me if drinking coffee. But I tried the green tea latte again. It didn't upset my stomach, instead, it curbed my appetite until I could eat. It gave me great alertness and I never crashed.

The next day I had a 6-hour drive after class. Normally, I would grab a Red Bull. I'd chug it within the first hour and then I'd crash. This time I tried Matcha instead. I drank it quickly and for several hours I felt great. No headaches, no upset tummy, and no crashing. I drove for 6 hours and never needed a caffeine refill. Instead, I was able to drink water and snack on beef jerky and sunflower seeds.

I started researching the health benefits of Matcha Green tea and realized that, of course, Americans ruined it. This powdered green tea is meant to be consumed with water—no sweetener. Traditionally, it is consumed from a bowl so that you get the full aroma and all the effects of drinking it. Drinking Matcha is a form of meditation; not a caffeinated drink meant to be put in a to-go cup.

Matcha literally means "powdered tea." So when drinking Matcha Green Tea instead of hot water and a green tea bag, you're getting all the benefits from the entire leaf. From Matcha, you can get up to three times the amount of caffeine than regular steeped tea. The health benefits are so powerful because the whole leaf is used. It prevents cancer, works against aging, lowers cholesterol, detoxes, helps with weight loss, and is a mind booster.

So I wasn't crazy. The alertness and clear mind I felt after drinking Matcha was directly related to this powdered tea. While this may not be everyone's cup of tea, I surely enjoy it. If not for the leafy green flavor, it's for to the powerful health effects it has.