A former coffee snob's slow, slightly dramatic journey to a calmer cup

I didn’t just drink coffee… I studied it.

Picture this: teen me, sipping black coffee in my bedroom like I was auditioning for a French film. By college, I had a moka pot, a French press, and a personality entirely shaped by espresso. I was the friend who judged the roast. I made my own foamed milk before it was cool. If pour-overs had existed back then, I would’ve been the girl showing up to class with a scale and a gooseneck kettle.

And for a while, it worked. Coffee made me feel competent. Sharp. Like I could conquer my to-do list and then color code it for fun.

But slowly, coffee started showing its true colors.

🚩 The Red Flags Were Brewing

It didn’t happen all at once. But somewhere between my third cup and another night of “why am I awake at 2 AM spiral-thinking about everything I’ve ever said out loud,” I realized something was off.

My Type A energy was now… chaotic.

The anxiety? Real.
The jitters? Intense.
The gut? Honestly, a mess. (No one talks about the acidity until it’s too late.)

I was wired, tired, overwhelmed, and chasing energy that never really felt like mine. And the worst part? I felt like I needed coffee just to get through.

So, I started trying to quit. (keyword: trying)

I drank dandelion root tea like it was a personality. I tried mushroom coffee. Pretended chicory was fine. Nothing stuck. I didn’t just need a caffeine fix. I wanted the ritual. I wanted to meet a friend for a “coffee” date. I wanted to hold a warm mug while reading a book and pretend I was living in a cottagecore Pinterest board.

💚 Enter: Matcha

The first time I tried matcha, I was skeptical. I was fully expecting it to taste like lawn clippings. But it didn’t. It was smooth. Clean. Comforting. Energizing in a completely different way, like my brain was turning on, but my heart rate wasn’t trying to qualify for a marathon.

It didn’t punch me awake. It gently nudged me into the day.

I felt focused. Calm. Kind of… collected? Is that what balanced people feel like?

That’s when I knew this wasn’t just a swap. This was an upgrade.

🍵 Why Matcha Nude Was It

There are a lot of matcha brands out there. But Matcha Nude felt different.

It was:

• Organic, premium, and not bitter (a huge deal)
• Ethically sourced from small farms in Japan
• Packaged in compostable bags that didn’t make me feel like a trash goblin
• Backed by a community of real humans who get it, who care about wellness but also love snacks and honesty and choosing better, not perfect

It wasn’t just a drink. It was a vibe. A ritual. A way of reconnecting with what I wanted caffeine to feel like before coffee made me its slightly anxious sidekick.

Look, I still love a coffee shop moment. I still want to sip something warm while watching holiday rom-coms or holding court at a local café.

That’s the best part. I didn’t have to give up the ritual. I just made it mine again.

And when I want something toasty without the buzz? Hojicha is my newest love language. It tastes like a hug. A toasted caramel cozy blanket in a mug. With zero jitters.

🤍 Final Thoughts From a Former Coffee Snob

Breaking up with coffee took me years. This wasn’t an overnight switch. It was a slow unlearning of what I thought I needed and rediscovering what actually makes me feel good.

If you're reading this while sipping a lukewarm espresso and wondering why you're anxious but still exhausted… maybe it's time to try something different.

Matcha didn’t just replace coffee. It gave me back my mornings. My focus. My gut health. My peace.

And if that sounds dramatic? It kind of is. But so was I. And now I’m calm enough to laugh about it.

💚 Love deeply,
Samm, Chief Matcha Enthusiast

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Ready to try a different kind of energy?

Start here with our convenient Matcha Starter Bundle
Or sip slow with our favorite Cinnamon Matcha Latte

You’ve got nothing to lose, except your third meltdown of the day. 😆