Your Go-To Matcha Latte Just Got A Fruit-Inspired Summer Refresh
Can we talk about the grip that matcha lattes have on us? While I’ll always be an iced caramel latte (with oat milk) type of girl to the core, matcha lattes have become a must-have, pick-me-up to get me through the day.
If you’re anything like me, your FYP and explore page is probably filled with pretty matcha recipes that are just begging for you to try. And with these green, semi-sweet lattes quickly becoming a go-to for emotional-support beverage drinkers, it’s hard not to resist the temptation of a delicious and calming sip or two.
Matcha is a type of green tea that originated in Japan and is known for its vibrant green color, fine powder texture, and distinctive flavor. The traditional way of preparing matcha involves whisking the powder with hot water until it forms a frothy mixture, which can then be combined with smoothies, lattes, and other treats.
Not only is it high in antioxidants, but it also has been shown to have a number of health benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, and a good source of L-theanine, an amino acid that can promote relaxation and improve mental focus.
Some newcomers to the tea may need a little convincing to come around to its distinctive, leafy taste, however, some new variations to the transitional technique could offer a sweet experience that will make them a true matcha believer.
Outside of milk, which is matcha’s creamy companion, strawberries and mango are two of the latest fruits to be paired with matcha and are unlocking new, refreshing recipes to try for the warmer months ahead. To get you started, we’ve provided a simple, yet tasty recipe for strawberry and mango matcha that you can try at home:
Easy Mango and Strawberry Matcha Recipe
@vanessafaga pink everything all february🍵🍓💕 #fyp #matchalatte #matcha #strawberrymatcha #pinkeverything #pinkmatcha
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of oat milk/almond milk
- 1/2 cup of strawberries, hulled and sliced (or),
- 1/2 cup of mango, peeled and diced
- 1 teaspoon of matcha powder
- 1 teaspoon of honey/agave
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, add 1 teaspoon of matcha powder.
- Add a small amount of hot water to the matcha powder (about 1/4 cup) and whisk vigorously with a bamboo whisk or a small whisk until the matcha powder is dissolved and there are no lumps. You should end up with a thick paste-like mixture.
- If desired, add 1 tablespoon of honey or sugar to sweeten.
- Add 1/2 cup of sliced strawberries or diced mango to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the fruit and matcha mixture over the ice.
- Sip slowly and enjoy!
Here are 4 more matcha recipes in action:
@kristeacafe fruity matcha lattes >> 🤭🥭 #matchalatterecipe #mangomatchalatte
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Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
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From Monogamy To Polyamory: 'I'm In An Asexual Poly Marriage With My Husband Of 7 Years'
Have you ever wondered what it's like to be asexual and in an open marriage? Relationship Coach Mikki Bey shared her first-hand experience with us as well as answered some of our burning questions.
Like a lot of people, Mikki met her now husband, Raheem Ali, online. As soon as they met, they instantly fell in love and got engaged on their first date. Just 90 days after they met, the couple tied the knot and have now been married for seven years. Raheem and Mikki aren’t your typical married couple, and despite being married for almost a decade, their marriage is anything but traditional. Mikki and Raheem have what she calls an "asexual polyamorous marriage."
Defining Her Sexuality
It wasn't until last summer that Mikki found the language to define her sexuality. "I didn't have the language for it until last summer," she explained to xoNecole. "Looking back, I just thought sex wasn't my thing. It was never enjoyable for me, and I'd go years without even noticing.”
Mikki always thought she was broken because she had no interest in sex. Mikki noticed after her friends came to visit and started discussing their sexual fantasies that she realized something was different about her. “At that point, I knew something was definitely different about me since I do not have sexual fantasies at all. It was truly news to me that people are at work thinking about sex! That was not my experience.” This led to Mikki researching asexuality, which she soon realized fit her to a T. “It felt like breathing new air when I was able to call it by name," said Mikki.
"Looking back, I just thought sex wasn't my thing. It was never enjoyable for me, and I'd go years without even noticing it."
Asexuality refers to people who experience little or no sexual attraction, experience attraction without acting on it sexually, or experience sexual attraction differently based on other factors. Like most things, asexuality falls on a spectrum and encompasses many other identities. It's important to remember, however, that attraction and action are not always synonymous: some asexuals may reject the idea of sexual contact, but others may be sex-neutral and engage in sexual activity.
It's possible that some asexuals will have sex with someone else despite not having a libido or masturbating, but others will have sex with a partner because it brings a sense of connection.
From a Traditional Marriage to Kitchen Table Polyamory
Although Mikki never really had a high sex drive, it wasn’t until after the birth of her son, that she noticed her sex drive took a real nosedive. “I never had a high sex drive, but about a year after my son was born, I realized I had zero desire. My husband has a high sex drive, and I knew that it would not be sustainable to not have sex in our marriage at that time.”
She was determined to find an alternative to divorce and stumbled upon a polyamory conversation on Clubhouse. Upon doing her own research, she brought up the idea to their husband, who was receptive. “It’s so interesting to me that people weigh sex so heavily in relationships when even if you are having a ton of sex, it’s still a very small percentage of the relationship activity," Mikki shared.
They chose polyamory because Mikki still wanted to be married, but she also wanted to make sure that Raheem was getting his individual needs and desires met, even if that meant meeting them with someone else. “I think that we have been programmed to think that our spouses need to be our 'everything.' We do not operate like that. There is no one way that fits all when it comes to relationships, despite what society may try to tell you. Their path to doing this thing called life together may be different from yours, but they found what works for them. We have chosen to design a marriage that works for us,” Mikki explained.
"We have chosen to design a marriage that works for us. We both consent to each of us having everything from casual sex partners to lifetime partners if it should go there. We believe love is abundant and do not limit ourselves or each other on how we express it."
She continued, “We both consent to each of us having everything from casual sexual partners to lifetime partners if it should get there. We believe love is abundant and do not limit ourselves or each other on how we express it. Our dynamic is parallel with kitchen table poly aspirations.”
Kitchen table polyamory (KTP) is a polyamorous relationship in which all participants are on friendly terms enough to share a meal at the kitchen table. Basically, it means you have some form of relationship with your partner’s other partner, whether as a group or individually. A lot of times, KTP relationships are highly personal and rooted in mutual respect, communication, and friendship.
Intimacy in an Asexual Polyamorous Marriage
Mikki says she and her husband, Raheem, still share intimate moments despite being in a polyamorous marriage. “Our intimacy is emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and physical, although non-sexual. We are intentional about date nights weekly, surprising and delighting each other daily, and most of all, we communicate our needs regularly. In my opinion, our intimacy is top-tier! I give my husband full-body massages, mani-pedis and make sure I am giving him small physical touches/kisses throughout the day. He is also very intentional about showing me his love and affection.”
Raheem and Mikki now use their lives as examples for others. On their website, thepolycouplenextdoor.com, they coach people interested in learning how to be consensually non-monogamous. “We are both relationship coaches. I specialized in emotional regulation, and Raheem specializes in communication and conflict resolution. The same tools we use in our marriage help our clients succeed in polyamory."
Mikki advises people who may be asexual or seeking non-monogamy to communicate their needs openly and to consider seeking sex therapy or intimacy coaching. Building a strong relationship with a non-sexual partner requires both empathy and compassion.
For more of Mikki, follow her on Instagram @getmikkibey. Follow the couple's platform on Instagram @thepolycouplenextdoor.
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