Matcha, health benefits, & the Seoul cafe scene
Waffles were in style in Korea circa 2011. Then churros. Then macarons. One time it was honey bread. Then those fish-shaped ice cream cones with low-key diabetes towering out of it topped with a shishkabob of chocolate glazed cherries for good measure.
It sounds odd to say that a certain food is ‘in style’ but that’s really the only way to describe the food trends that sweep this country throughout the year. (I take a nap and the next thing you know there are six unnecessary renditions of the same cafe on the same street when I wake up). I suppose it stems from the collectivist culture where doing what everyone else is doing does not necessarily hold a negative connotation as it does in other parts of the world. And the rise of Instagram blew it up even more.
But there are also those cafes like Coco’s Matcha that still do their own thang while the rest are serving the lines of Seoulites and tourists trying to capture the latest food trend #forthegram.
I’d describe their interior as “Retro American Diner Ambiance Meets Hip Asian Cafe Vibes”
Coco’s Matcha opened its doors last month (June 2019) in a discrete back street off of Garosugil in Sinsa, Seoul. At first glance, it has the typical cuteness and essence of a Korean cafe with all of its pink decor and clean aesthetics. Then you start to uncover its unique charm once you see the drinks, taste the matcha, and examine the little eclectic details in the concept.
Maverick Matcha
Coco’s Matcha goes against the grain in that it features matcha as the main concept. While matcha is very popular in the US and abroad, it is currently not very trendy in Korea according to founder and owner Taejin Kim.
“I wanted to introduce the benefits of matcha to Koreans in a hip, new, and fun way,” he explained. “Korean culture tends to favor the sweeter green tea.”
Yes, green tea lattes, green tea soft serve, and green tea bingsoos are seen across menus throughout Seoul. But green tea is not quite the same as matcha. While they are derived from the same plant, they have distinct flavors, nutritional benefits, and preparation methods. Green tea is made by steeping tea leaves in hot water and holds less nutritional benefits while matcha is finely ground tea in powder form that packs on the nutrients at least tenfold.
Coco’s Matcha sources its matcha directly from Japan.
Coco’s Matcha uses ceremonial grade matcha in its drinks, making it richer and purer in taste without added sweeteners. Kim sources this matcha directly from a close contact in Kyoto, Japan and it’s higher in quality than the general matcha found in Korea.
Coco’s Matcha’s Signature Drinks
The menu offers your usual coffee with some thoughtfully-paired donut flavors as a side. However, the main star is, of course, the matcha drinks. If you’re a hardcore matcha enthusiast you could go for the Classic Matcha Drinks but the real fun is in the Signature Drinks in my noob matcha drinking opinion. Why? Since a picture is worth a thousand words:
How would you rate this on the instagrammable scale?
The matcha rests on top when the drinks are prepared which creates a beautifully pigmented contrast between the two liquids. A high visual contender against the current streaky marble brown sugar boba craze if you ask me.
Health Benefits an Added Plus
In Korean cafes, your drink typically comes with free WiFi, air conditioning, workspace, and aesthetically pleasing interior and beverages built into the price. At Coco’s Matcha, you can add the health benefits of superfoods to that list—they are noteworthy.
Matcha is packed with antioxidants (137x more than green tea, 12x more than pomegranates, and 14.5x more than blueberries!) contributing to some of its well-known health benefits:
- Helps lower blood pressure & cholesterol
- Protects cells against cancer
- Reduces anxiety
- Aids metabolism and weight loss
- Helps concentration and alertness
Some benefits for the skin:
Read more benefits and scientific studies here.
“If you’re going to drink and socialize at a cafe anyways, why not drink something more beneficial to your health instead of coffee?”
— Kim, Coco’s Matcha Owner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWaGa3boBcA&feature=youtu.be
“In Korea, everything is very similar. I like to challenge myself to come up with creative ideas with benefits for the customer.” — Kim, Coco’s Matcha Owner
The bright strawberry milk pink in the photo is in fact not strawberry. It’s a beet root, berry, and Hibiscus mixture! You could have had me fooled. It doesn’t taste like beets at all. The Gold Supreme features Tumeric, Ginger, and Cane Sugar which is a great option if you’re fighting a cold. The drinks taste rich, fresh, and unique—but not overpowering or too sweet.
Let’s face it. You can’t avoid cafes if you’re living the Seoul lifestyle and it can get expensive, especially if you’re south of the Han River. At least get some drinks that have superfood health benefits to make yourself and your bank account feel better.
Coco’s Matcha is located in Sinsa, Seoul
Which do you prefer: matcha or green tea?
More Antioxidants for Your Skin
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