Since discovering the highly expedient caffeine-induced alertness in a cup of coffee, ideally sweetened with natural cane sugar and infused with a liberal splash of half-and-half cream, I’ve experimented with different styles of hot drinks to develop my nascent java palate while enlivening my conventional orders at local cafés. These variations over the course of several months yielded a few favourites: the deliciously frothy caramel macchiato, the intensely robust French roast, and the luxuriously rich café latte. Gradually, the latte became my customary choice for years to come.
Café latte…where to begin with my absolute fixation on this comforting beverage? Its velvety creaminess, its subtle boldness of flavour, and its irresistible warmth quicken all five senses while pleasantly invigorating the mind, body, and soul from the first sip. A steaming mug of latte can alleviate momentary troubles and faithfully serve as a calming, restorative balm for difficult days. On more light-hearted occasions, it can be appreciated as a sumptuous complement to a coffee date with a beloved friend or as a cozy companion while reading a delightful book, an indomitable pairing of utmost contentment, peace, and tranquility.
On my decade-long journey towards embracing and living a holistic, healthy lifestyle, I gradually corrected my eating and drinking habits to optimize the number of wellness benefits from my selection of foods and drinks. This step-by-step modification process included an assessment of the amount of caffeine I could reasonably consume daily without compromising my improving health. I was aware of the rewards and drawbacks of consuming coffee-based drinks and evaluated whether these beverages would be compatible with the nourishing diet I wanted as the cornerstone of my overall well-being. After several weeks of research and consideration, I made the firm decision to eliminate caffeine.
The three most compelling reasons for this radical change were the correlation between caffeine and anxiety, the adverse impact of caffeine on sleep, and the common and at times severe symptoms associated with caffeine withdrawal,[1] all of which I had personally experienced to varying degrees. While I could have chosen to reduce my caffeine intake rather than omit it altogether, I was up for the challenge of finding alternative ways to boost my alertness and mental clarity without experiencing the side effects often linked with coffee and caffeinated tea. Furthermore, could I uncover a caffeine-free drink that also brought comfort and warmth to my day? The answer was a resounding yes!
The one beverage type I was most disappointed to see go as part of my dietary upheaval was matcha tea. In addition to being utterly divine in its latté form, this popular style of green tea possesses many health benefits, including supporting brain function and promoting heart health.[2] Unfortunately, matcha tea, derived from the plant camellia sinensis and processed into a fine powder of verdant green, contains more caffeine than most green tea varieties. Depending on its concentration of this natural stimulant, a cup of matcha tea can even contend with a similar serving of coffee. On my quest for a caffeine-free substitute that does not concede on health benefits or taste, I came across an exceptional alternative that still impresses me to this day: moringa oleifera.
Moringa oleifera, or simply “moringa,” is the replacement superfood for the trendier yet equally versatile matcha tea powder. Its unpretentious moss green colour adds an inimitable charm to a variety of meals – smoothies, oatmeal, etc. – while its enriching leaves provide a wealth of micronutrients that contribute to vigour and vitality, such as calcium and vitamins A and C. In addition to lowering blood sugar levels, inflammation, and cholesterol, moringa contains all nine essential amino acids, integral protein building blocks that are foundational to all diet types yet rarely available from one source in plant-based and strictly vegan regimens.[3]
I am thrilled to present my plant-based recipe for “Moringa Tea Latté” (which can be adapted for those allergic to cashews). I sincerely hope you find it as delectable and satisfying as I do.
Moringa Tea Latté
Prep Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes Serving: 1 Author: Sindhu
Ingredients
¾ cup cashew milk (see directions below for alternatives)
½ cup oat milk
1 tsp moringa leaf powder
1½ tsp boiling water
⅛ tsp vanilla extract
⅛ tsp coconut sugar (or sweetener of choice, such as maple syrup)
Directions
- Into a small saucepan, add cashew milk and oat milk. Alternatively, you can use other types of plant-based milk (almond, coconut, rice, etc.). You should have 1¼ cups of plant-based milk in total.
- Over medium heat, warm the milk until it begins to simmer.
- Meanwhile, add moringa leaf powder to your selected mug or teacup. Mix well with a splash of boiling water.
- Once the milk begins to simmer, turn off the heat. Carefully pour the heated milk into your cup.
- Next, add the vanilla extract and your sweetener of choice. Stir well.
- Taste and adjust the sweetness if desired. Enjoy!
[1] https://www.healthline.com/health/caffeine-and-anxiety
[2] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-benefits-of-matcha-tea
[3] https://draxe.com/nutrition/moringa-benefits/
Edited by Dania Sheldon, PhD
