by Monika Blichar

I always love to incorporate new and interesting products and businesses into Art World Expo. With each year’s theme, there’s ample opportunity to reach out to community partners who are unique and different but who can add an element of interest to our show. This year, I am pleased to have Whisk Matcha at our event not only because the owner Kimmy is so kind and sweet, but also because her company offers a product that is both good for health and committed to organic matcha production. I caught up with her to learn more about her company today! Enjoy!

1-When did you start Whisk Matcha?
​ Officially August 2016​

2-What is Matcha? ​
​ Matcha is shade-grown, finely ground Japanese green tea.​

3-What are the health benefits of drinking Matcha?
Matcha is possibly THE healthiest super food one can find.

Because of its meticulous production process, you’re consuming the entire tea leaves which contain full nutrients such as high concentration of green tea antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and fiber. Besides, by drinking Matcha you can also ingest oil soluble constituents (Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Beta-carotene, etc.), which are not extracted into water when brewed. Brewing tea in the traditional way is kind of like eating spinach by boiling it in a pot but throwing out the vegetable and just drinking spinach water, you end up chucking 80% of the nutritional value and benefits into the compost bin.

Matcha has an amino acid called L-Theanine; L-Theanine can improve mental focus and clarity in a slow-released way. It won’t give you the jittery feeling that coffee does to your body. Matcha tea leaves need to be covered from direct sunlight for 20 – 30 days before harvest. This shading process boosts the plants’ chlorophyll level; chlorophyll is a natural detoxifier that will cleanse the heavy metal and daily pollution out of your body. You’ll feel like a whole new you with every cup of good matcha.​

​One key antioxidant that matcha is loaded with is called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) Catechin. EGCG is proven for its benefits of treating cancers, and can also improve your immune system, stabilize blood sugar levels, promote fat burning, and boost metabolism.

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4-How is Matcha sourced? Are there any eco-friendly initiatives around harvesting matcha tea that help the environment?

​ Matcha is not created equally. Our matcha is directly from organic family tea farms in Kyoto Japan. ​Organic farming means a lot to me and our brand, because it’s good for people, eco system and our soil. Matcha plants cannot survive through the shading process (due to very limited energy from the sun) without an enriched soil, and we’re committed in sourcing matcha grown from NATRUALLY enriched soil, not by industrial strength fertilizers. Our tea farms/owners take incredibly good care and practices of the tea plants.

5-Will you have any show specials on products, matcha tea parties, or services exclusive to Art World Expo on May 11?
​Yes we will offer 10 – 15% discount on select products at Art World Expo.​

6-Where do you see your business in 5 years time?
I’m hoping to open a matcha-focused tea tasting room in Vancouver​.

7-Just for fun: If you could time travel, where would you go?
​I’d like to go back to the 12th – 16th century​ in China. Love the culture, poetry and apparels.

Monika Blichar is an Entrepreneur and Artist. She is owner of Monika’s Art Boutique-Studio & Gallery in North Vancouver and producer of Art World Expo and Painting Dreams International Art Tours. She is always pushing boundaries as an artist and creative entrepreneur. Her love of the arts has been a part of her life since childhood.

To learn more about Whisk Matcha, visit https://www.facebook.com/whiskmatcha https://www.instagram.com/whiskmatchayvr/ https://twitter.com/matchawhisker  Be sure to get your ticket to the 8th Annual Art World Expo at Science World. Our theme this year is Eco-Sustainability so be sure to dress in an Eco-Sustainable ensemble, create your own statement piece from plastic bags or make your voice heard for our environment. Tickets are available in limited quantities here.