The Good Caffeine

Tammy Olsson and Anne Yeo were acquaintances until a chance conversation led to a new business idea. Both Vancouver residents, Olsson worked in a tea shop and Yeo was in advertising. The duo joined forces and created a Matcha tea product, Domo Tea, which they push as a way for coffee addicts to get used to a healthier caffeine. The reasoning is that matcha functions more like a time-release caffeine than coffee’s spike-and-crash jolt. Add to that the supposed antioxidants of green tea and you have a healthy morning pick-me-up.

Domo Tea comes in Vanilla Cloud, Chocolate Ecstasy and Ginger Kiss. The difference between drinking green tea and incorporating Domo into your daily ritual is that Domo is comprised of ground up whole tea leaves that can be fully ingested by combining with hot water and hot milk, or with smoothies. Matcha is believed to have up 200 times the antioxidants of regular green tea. It is believed to lead to a higher metabolic rate and sometimes helps to control blood pressure and cholesterol. The tea plant is also believed to contain Theanine, an amino acid found to having calming and immune boosting effects.

We used Domo Tea two ways: in smoothies and as a hot caffeine afternoon drink. In smoothies, Domo serves as the caffeine source, alongside vitamin and mineral additions. It satisfied even us coffee addicts, carrying us through from about 9:30 a.m. until lunchtime around 1 p.m. For a nice afternoon drink instead of the unhealthy trip to the vending machine, mix a spoon or two of Domo with hot water, stir, and add a few ounces of hot cow, soy or hemp milk. We like vanilla flavored milk options because they add a touch of sweetness. The drink is soothing, healthy, satisfying and offers a health dose of caffeine.

Bonus:
The company is planning a new line of tea-based products. In an effort to diversify, the new line might have a vitamin, health and immune slant. Also on the roster is a Rooibos line, originating from South Africa, with an immune booster, hangover cure slant. The duo is also thinking about distributing green tea-based oil.

Where:
For more information or to buy Domo Tea, visit the Domo Tea website.