Hoogly Blogs / green

Matcha: The Green Elixir of Calm and Energy

There’s something almost magical about matcha. Its vibrant green colour catches your eye, its smooth yet earthy taste lingers on your palate, and its centuries-old story connects us to a tradition of mindfulness, balance, and wellbeing.

But what exactly is matcha, and why has it become such a beloved ritual around the world?

What is Matcha?

Matcha is a finely ground powder made from specially grown green tea leaves. Unlike regular green tea, where leaves are steeped in water and then removed, matcha involves whisking the whole powdered leaf into hot water—meaning you’re consuming the entire leaf and all of its nutrients.

This practice began in Japan over 800 years ago, rooted in Zen Buddhism and the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Matcha was used not just for its taste, but for the sense of calm focus it brought to meditation and daily life.

Why People Love It

Matcha is often described as the perfect balance between calm and energy. This is thanks to its unique combination of caffeine and the amino acid L-theanine, which together create a gentle, sustained energy boost without the jitters often linked to coffee.

Other benefits include:

Rich in antioxidants (especially catechins, which support overall health).
Supports focus and concentration while promoting relaxation.
Boosts metabolism and can gently support digestion.

It’s both a wellness drink and a mindful ritual in one cup.

How to Enjoy Matcha

Traditionally, matcha is prepared by whisking the powder with hot (not boiling) water until it becomes frothy. The process itself is part of the experience—a moment of slowing down, breathing deeply, and being fully present.

But matcha isn’t limited to tradition. Today, people enjoy it in lattes, smoothies, baking, and even desserts. From a creamy matcha latte on a chilly morning to a refreshing iced matcha on a sunny afternoon, there are endless ways to make it your own.

Matcha and Hygge

At Hoogly, we love matcha not just for its health benefits, but for the sense of Hygge it brings. Preparing matcha is a small act of self-care, a ritual that invites calm and comfort into your day. Just as Hygge is about finding joy in simple moments, matcha offers a mindful pause in a busy world.

So next time you prepare a cup of matcha, take it slow. Notice the colour, the aroma, the way the froth dances at the surface. Sip, savour, and let yourself enjoy the little things—that’s where true indulgence lies.

Posted on September 03, 2025

Tagged: ceremonial matcha, get hygge, green, green tea, Hygge, hyggelige, japanese matcha, matcha, Matcha powder, mindfullness, well-being, wellbeing

Wabi-Sabi

Greetings Hoogly fans! I hope you are all safe and well. While we are still under the long shadow of the pandemic, I thought I’d share something I’d discovered over the last month that made me sit up and pay attention; something that offered a well-timed shift in perspective, and simply put a smile on my face. As with our company’s beloved Hygge ethos, the Japanese concept of Wabi-sabi provides an inspiring and philosophical way of looking at the world, and—just like Hygge—offers a way of reducing stress and feeling better, even in difficult circumstances.

In essence, the ancient Japanese philosophy of Wabi-sabi seeks to counter the world’s obsession with perfection, trends and the purchase of new and fancy items. It views imperfection as meaningful and valid, and in its own way, beautiful. It offers a way to navigate the unpredictability of life by embracing the idea that all things pass, that what we have now is truly worthwhile, even if it is damaged or worn, as long as we love it, and appreciate it.

Wabi-sabi is a cracked and re-glued vase. It’s a misshapen, homegrown fruit or vegetable. It’s a Lego construction built from a box of leftover pieces. It’s an old floor with scuff marks that echo a life well-lived. It’s a button wonkily re-sewn on an old jacket. It asks us to appreciate simplicity, modesty and imperfection in all its guises. By learning to be content with our lot without yearning for more, we can select what we truly love and need, offering a cheery antidote to a materialistic, mass-produced society.

Wabi-Sabi can help us in our everyday lives, too. It allows us to pause and take a mindful step back from the relentless pursuit of perfection, offering the opportunity to count our blessings and rejoice in the way things are rather than the way they could be. It does not diminish or reject the complexity of life and its trials, but chooses to see life as temporary, incomplete and imperfect. A great example is the Japanese art of kintsugi, in which cracked pottery is filled with gold-dusted lacquer to highlight its age and imperfection rather than concealing it.

By utilizing seven Zen aesthetic principles, including Kanso: simplicity, Shibumi: beauty in the understated and Shizen: Naturalness without pretension, Wabi-sabi can also be used to help curate and shape your home. By following the principle of less-is-more, Wabi-sabi seeks to reduce consumption and lessen the strain on our planet. It allows us to appreciate the natural world around us and encourages us to incorporate long-lasting options like wood, steel and stone into open, spacey decors. If you can’t use these natural materials, then you can always take inspiration from nature in your choice of colours, suiting your mood and personality, and bringing a rustic, humble aesthetic into your life that will enable you to treasure the space around you, and imbibe its transience. By getting rid of unloved or unused items, you allow your most cherished items to flourish and shine, and you increase the tranquillity of your surroundings.

Hoogly fans will be delighted to learn that Wabi-Sabi has roots in a Japanese tea ceremony introduced by Zen monk Murata Shukō, who incorporated simple, plain and imperfect Japanese pottery and utensils into the original Chinese ceremony that was traditionally luxurious and lavish, in order to help guests better appreciate what was in front of them. Whereas guests had previously drunk tea and admired the full moon; Shukō wished them to appreciate a half-moon, or a moon covered by clouds. Shukō did not entirely replace the extravagance of the traditional ceremonies, choosing instead for coexistence, but he is credited as being the founder of the more minimalist Wabi-cha ceremony, which then led to Wabi-sabi.

And to celebrate Wabi-sabi, as well as Hygge, why not indulge in one of our most delicious brews, Apple Strudel, which combines Chinese and Japanese green teas, as well as a gorgeous combination of spices, fruit and petals, giving you a taste of the ancient, as well as a cheeky slice of Danish delight!

Until next time, stay safe, look after each other and try a little Wabi-sabi in your life!

Written by Chris Bedford

www.hooglytea.com

Posted on September 16, 2020

Tagged: cherish life, Chinese, enjoy, green, herbal infusions, hygge, Japanese way of life, mindfullness, natural, no sugar, philosphy, plastic free, relax, Tea, vegan, Wabi-Sabi, white tea, Zen, Zen monk Murata Shukō