What is matcha? Where does it come from, and what are its benefits?
Matcha has a rich history spanning over 800 years, originating in China and Japan, where it was first introduced by Buddhist monks. While matcha comes from the same plant as green tea, it stands apart due to its unique cultivation and harvesting process.
Before harvest, the tea plants are shaded for 20-30 days, which increases their chlorophyll content, giving the leaves a vibrant green colour and enhancing their nutritional value. This process boosts the antioxidants found in matcha, which are known to protect cells from damage and reduce inflammation.
What makes matcha truly special is its combination of caffeine and L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes a calm but focused state of mind. L-theanine helps balance the stimulating effects of caffeine, leading to what many describe as "relaxed alertness." Some studies also suggest that matcha can boost metabolism and promote fat burning, making it a popular choice for those looking to support weight loss.
Tell us about you and your background in wellness and how did you come to launch the Pink Panda Matcha Brand?
My career began in a very different field—working as cabin crew for Emirates airline. Traveling to beautiful and exotic locations was a dream come true, but the demanding, unsociable hours and constant time zone changes began to affect my health. That’s when I started researching nutrition and ways to better support my immune system. During a trip to China 13 years ago, I discovered matcha, and the experience was transformative. I felt unusually focused and alert, and from that moment, matcha became a staple in my daily routine.
When I returned to the UK, I continued my growing passion for wellness by completing a degree in Nutrition, followed by a master’s in biomedical science and translational medicine. The intensity of the course meant that I wasn’t able to work, so with no reliable income and as a single parent, I needed to find a way to support my young son. That’s when the idea for Pink Panda Matcha was born. It meant that I could work in my own time and with the website up and running sales could happen while I slept!
At the time, there wasn’t much on the market that made matcha fun or approachable. I wanted to create a brand that made matcha appealing to everyone, while also providing a consistent, high-quality product that customers could trust, especially given the wide variety in matcha quality out there. I’m so proud of the community we’ve built around it. People feel a real connection to Pink Panda, and we’ve created something that brings people together.
There are other matcha brands available, why is Pink Panda different?
What sets Pink Panda apart is the story behind it and the sense of community we've created. It’s not just a brand—it’s a friendly, welcoming company that hosts events and really engages with its customers. Pink Panda is also unique in that it combines fun with luxury. Our matcha is ceremonial grade, sourced from a small boutique farm near where I first discovered matcha The soil here is rich in minerals and give the matcha a unique sweet and creamy flavour. The quality really is exceptional, but we also aim to make the experience of drinking it accessible and enjoyable for everyone. That combination of premium quality and playful branding is what makes Pink Panda stand out.
Where did the brand name come from?
While I was at university, we had a project to create our own nutritional food product. We developed a protein ball made from nuts, seeds, dates, and other wholesome ingredients, and we called it a "Bao Ball." It was really cool! One of my contributions to the project was the brand name "Pink Panda." When it came time to choose a name for my matcha brand, I remembered Pink Panda and knew it was too good of a name to leave behind. I always felt it had a fun, memorable quality, and it just felt right for the brand I wanted to create.
What are your goals ?
I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved so far and how far I’ve come, but I know Pink Panda still has some growing to do! One of my goals is to take my son to Asia to visit a matcha plantation—that would be such a special experience for us.
Aside from Pink Panda, I’m focusing on my nutrition business. I’m really passionate about helping people change their lives by teaching the power of nutrition, so I’m excited to relaunch Wellness Living with Laura in December. I’ll be offering personalised consultations and blood tests, and I have something special planned for children, too!
So, my goals right now are to travel more, expand my business, and make positive changes through the power of nutrition.
Apart from matcha, what are your wellness tips?
For me, wellness is all about finding balance in physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. I like to think of it as my personal "tool kit" filled with practices that help keep me grounded and tap into when I need it. Lately, I’ve been learning to take a softer approach to wellness, focusing on doing more of what I love and surrounding myself with good energy. Here are some of the key tools I rely on:
Nature walks: I make it a point to get outside every day for a walk. It’s such a simple way to boost my physical health and clear my mind. There’s something about being in nature that helps me reconnect and find a little peace amid the daily chaos.
Eat to feel good: I’m all about tuning into my body and noticing how different foods make me feel. This is a powerful tool we often overlook! I try to make my meals colourful and vibrant, packed with whole foods that give me plenty of vitamins and minerals. Eating this way really lifts my spirits.
Take time to rest: I believe it’s super important to carve out time for myself. Sometimes, doing nothing is just as essential as staying busy—it helps me reset and reflect on my day. Those quiet moments allow me to recharge and keep things in perspective.
Romanticise your life: I love creating little wellness rituals that make my day feel special. Whether it’s preparing a mindful cup of matcha or soaking in a magnesium bath, these self-care moments help me appreciate life’s little joys and keep my energy up.
A Registered Nutritionist and Wellness entrepreneur, with a background in research and gut health. Laura has recently launched a joint venture with pocket cafe, a wellness centre in the heart of Liverpool City Centre, pocket wellness focuses on educating children and adults on improving their lives with nutrition education and cooking classes.
Thank you to WilsonK photography and Little Eye Coffee for the use of imagery
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