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Vogue

22 minutes ago

• Vogue

The Maturing of Matcha: The New (Old) Wave of Matcha Sweeping the Country

Green is in: Matcha has become ubiquitous among the fashion set, millennials, and Gen Z—even my boomer mom is obsessed—with nearly every cafe offering it alongside coffee, and plenty of cafes dedicated solely to matcha. From national matcha-devoted chains like Cha Cha Matcha, Matcha Café Maiko, and Kyo Matcha, to nearly every coffee shop from Starbucks to Blue Bottle to even Dunkin' Donuts offering matcha lattes, it's safe to say matcha is firmly entrenched in the zeitgeist. Matcha is a vibrant green tea drink born in China and Japan thousands of years ago. It's made from grinding green tea leaves—which can be varying grades of quality—into a fine powder, which is then whisked with hot water to create a thick, frothy liquid. In many modern cafes around the world, it's combined with milk or an alternative milk to create a latte, and this is typically what you'll find in most cafes serving matcha in the U.S. But are you getting an authentic matcha at Dunkin' Donuts? Definitely not (it's green tea powder mixed with 32 grams of sugar, milk, and fruit pectin, according to their website). Even at most matcha-devoted places, your drink will likely be sweetened and watered down as a way to help cover up the bitter taste of lower-grade matcha. Over the last decade, in most of the U.S., matcha has become so far removed from its roots that it has become a coffee alternative at best and a TikTok trend at worst. And while these drinks might be tasty, if you're looking for authentic, unadulterated matcha, it has been harder to find in the U.S.—until now. While chains like Cha Cha Matcha, which opened in New York City in 2016 and has expanded to seven New York City and four Los Angeles locations, show no signs of slowing down, there has been a recent spate of more authentic matcha cafes utilizing extremely high-quality matcha unadulterated by sugar and other mix-ins. These boutique shops typically partner with a specific farm in Japan or Korea for sourcing, as opposed to the Japanese corporate distributors that the larger chains use. But what exactly is the difference between a matcha latte from Starbucks and a so-called authentic matcha? We checked in with Darla Murray, the co-founder of Make, a premium matcha brand selling hand-selected tea direct to consumers.

CBS News

23 minutes ago

• CBS News

After one year, the Greater Pittsburgh Cake4Kids chapter has crossed 100 deliveries

To some, it may not mean much, but to others, it's everything. A birthday cake can bring joy and happiness to just about anyone at any age. Delivering cakes is something that a local non-profit has been doing for the past year, and they recently hit a pretty sweet milestone. Birthday cakes can come in all shapes and sizes, colors and flavors, and some come in the shape of a heart, or they could even come designed like a hamburger complete with all the "toppings." "She used edible oranges as the tomatoes," said Christa Jones, the Administrative Supervisor for Allegheny Family Network. "These cakes are amazing." Ishaan Sharma, with the help of his mother Priya, started The Cake4Kids Greater Pittsburgh non-profit about a year ago, and since then, they've helped deliver 100 cakes to at-risk kids, teenagers, and young adults. "Some of our agencies that we work with will have group birthdays where they hold a bunch of kids' birthdays on the same day, and so while we've only had 100 deliveries, which we're really happy to have, we've actually reached out to over 400 kids," Sharma said. A lot of those kids come from agencies like Allegheny Family Network. All of the cakes are baked, decorated, and delivered by volunteers. "We are always excited to see what cake the child is going to pick, and oh my goodness, when they show up, they're gorgeous," said Jean Ericsson, a parent coordinator at Allegheny Family Network. "It's good to see the kindness of the Pittsburgh community," said Ishaan's mother, Priya. "People show up and support us." When we talked to Ishaan last year, it was when he decided to start a Cake4Kids chapter here in Pittsburgh. He did it because of his love for baking, and he believed that everyone should get a cake to celebrate their birthday. "Even the older teens we serve, realizing just how important it is for them to be seen, valued, and appreciated," Ishaan said. "It's just touching," Jones said. As for making people happy, there's nothing sweeter than that. Ishaan said their chapter is one of the fastest-growing Cake4Kids chapters in the United States. Many in the Pittsburgh area are volunteering to make these birthday cakes. If you would like to volunteer or donate, you can do so on their website at this link.

Yahoo

an hour ago

• Yahoo

15 Things Men Start Questioning About Their Lives Over 50

Turning 50 is like stepping into a room with better lighting—you see things you didn't notice before. It's not just about the stray gray hairs or the way your back feels after a round of golf. It's a deeper, more resonant questioning of life, love, and what comes next. If you're in this demographic—or know someone who is—here are 15 things you might find yourself pondering as you cruise through this milestone. Suddenly, those aggressive career goals you set in your 30s and 40s may feel like ghosts of another era. The corporate ladder you once sprinted up now appears more like a staircase you can't be bothered to climb. Dr. Marc Freedman, founder of the initiative, suggests that men start looking for meaningful work rather than just lucrative positions, as reported by The New York Times. You'll find yourself contemplating whether it's still worth the hustle or if there's a more fulfilling way to spend your days. Conversely, there's a nagging question of whether ambition is even the right metric anymore. Have you spent so much time chasing success that you've missed the journey? You might find that what you really want is to create, to mentor, to leave a legacy that doesn't have a dollar sign attached. The shift from ambition to satisfaction is a journey, not a destination. It's no longer just about making a mark at work or being a provider. The word "legacy" takes on a fresh, weightier meaning. You're not just thinking about what you'll leave behind in your professional life, but in your personal life, too. The relationships, the lessons taught, the values you've instilled—these are the legacies that remain long after you're gone. This is the age when you start thinking about how you'll be remembered. Is it through the lens of career success or the warmth of family gatherings? Maybe it's through the charitable acts and the moments you shared wisdom. The legacy you build now may redefine what success means to you. You might have breezed through your 30s and 40s without ever really considering that the machine you live in would start to creak and groan. Suddenly, those routine doctor's visits carry a little more weight. According to research by the Mayo Clinic, after 50, regular screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, and cancer become crucial for health maintenance. These aren't just appointments; they're lifelines, a chance to catch something before it catches you. Diet and exercise take on a new urgency as well. It's not just about fitting into your jeans but about being able to climb stairs without wheezing. You'll find yourself exchanging nachos for salads and happy hours for gym sessions, albeit reluctantly. Health becomes not just a state of being, but a proactive endeavor. It's a startling moment when you realize that your social circle isn't as wide as it once was. People have moved away, relationships have drifted, and what was once a bustling network may now feel like a sparse gathering. You start to wonder if you've invested enough in friendships that matter, or if you've let them slip by as life got busy. This introspection forces a re-evaluation of who you want by your side in the years ahead. Of course, maintaining friendships requires effort that you might have underestimated. It's about more than the occasional text; it's about the deep conversations and shared experiences that bind you to someone else. Some friendships will naturally fade, while others might be worth rekindling with newfound vigor. With time being the most precious commodity, you'll need to decide where and with whom you want to invest it. Intimacy over 50 can feel like uncharted territory. Suddenly, you're questioning how you connect with your partner, both emotionally and physically. According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), intimacy can improve with age as emotional bonds deepen, but it requires effort and communication. The dance of intimacy becomes less about physical prowess and more about emotional vulnerability. You might find yourself grappling with societal expectations of masculinity that you've carried for decades. Do they still serve you, or is it time to redefine what intimacy means on your terms? This stage of life might offer the freedom to explore new dimensions of closeness with your partner. It's both terrifying and liberating to realize that the rules can be rewritten. At this stage, the rose-colored glasses might come off, and you see your relationship in stark relief. The routines that once provided comfort may now feel suffocating. You start questioning whether you're truly happy or if you're merely comfortable. The stakes feel higher, and the potential consequences of leaving feel more profound. Yet, this questioning can also be a catalyst for growth. You might find that this is the perfect time to rekindle the spark and build a deeper, more meaningful connection. Or, you may realize that parting ways is the bravest, most loving choice you can make for both of you. Either way, the questions lead you to consider what you truly value in a partnership. As you hit the big 5-0, you start questioning if all the stuff you've accumulated actually adds up to happiness. The car, the house, the gadgets—do they really fulfill you, or are they just placeholders for something more meaningful? A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that experiences bring more lasting happiness than material possessions. The realization that less might actually be more can be both shocking and freeing. This questioning may lead you to a decluttering spree that feels almost spiritual. You start valuing experiences over things, moments over materials. It's an age where minimalism whispers to you seductively, offering the promise of a lighter, more intentional way of living. In the end, it's not the stuff, but the stories that matter. You've spent decades pushing your body to its limits, often ignoring its subtle cries for help. Now, it demands your attention in ways you can't ignore—aches, pains, and those new health quirks. It's a sobering moment when you realize that your body has been trying to communicate all along, and you've been terrible at listening. But hey, better late than never, right? Now is the time to start treating your body like the temple it's been all along. You begin to appreciate the marvel of walking, stretching, and resting. Suddenly, self-care isn't just a trendy buzzword but a non-negotiable part of your daily routine. Listening to your body becomes an art and a science wrapped in one. As you hit 50, you begin to contemplate the kind of father you've been and the kind you want to be. You revisit memories, both good and bad, and wonder if you've equipped your children with the right tools to navigate the world. It's no longer about just providing but about being present, offering wisdom gleaned from your own trials and errors. This realization can be both heartwarming and haunting. It's a time to mend bridges and build stronger foundations. If there are regrets, there's still time to address them. Your role as a father evolves into that of a mentor, a guide who helps shape not just the now, but the future. This is the kind of legacy that matters, and it's never too late to start crafting it. The mirror might reveal more lines, but it also reflects the sum of your life's choices. You start pondering if the person staring back is someone you genuinely admire. Are your actions aligning with your values? The quest for authenticity becomes less of a buzzword and more of a personal mission. Yet, liking who you are is not just about basking in your accomplishments. It's also about embracing your flaws and owning your missteps. The courage to confront your imperfections and grow from them is a lifelong journey. The goal is not perfection, but a kind of peace with who you've become. With retirement looming, the horizon can seem both exciting and daunting. Questions about the future start to swirl—what will you do with all that free time? You might find yourself contemplating a new career, a new hobby, or perhaps even a new country. The possibilities are endless, but the choices feel more significant now. This isn't just about filling the hours, it's about finding purpose. Whether it's becoming a volunteer, a traveler, or an artist, the next chapter is yours to write. There's a beauty in this uncertainty, a chance to redefine what it means to live fully. This might just be the adventure you've been waiting for. Regret is a tricky companion as you cross the 50-year mark. The decisions you didn't make, the opportunities you let slip—these moments can haunt you if you let them. But this is also a time for reckoning and reconciliation. The key lies in using these regrets as a catalyst for change rather than a chain holding you back. It's about turning 'what ifs' into 'what now?' By accepting past missteps, you open the door to growth and transformation. Facing regret isn't about wallowing; it's about learning and moving forward with newfound wisdom. The past might be written, but the future is still wide open. Balance isn't just a yoga pose; it's a fundamental question at this stage of life. Have you been too focused on work at the expense of family? Too busy crossing off tasks to actually live? The quest for balance isn't just about time management; it's about soul management. This is the age where you might start prioritizing what truly matters. You begin pulling back from the unnecessary and leaning into the essential. Balance becomes less about equilibrium and more about harmony. It's a shift from doing to being, from quantity to quality. The spirit of adventure doesn't have to dim with age, but it might need a little nudge. You start questioning if you've traded your adventurous spirit for comfort and predictability. It's time to ask yourself what's stopping you from trying something new. Whether it's travel, new experiences, or simply stepping out of your comfort zone, adventure awaits. Embracing adventure at this stage is less about thrill-seeking and more about rediscovery. It's about finding joy in the unfamiliar and daring to dream again. You might just find that this quest for adventure revitalizes not just your spirit but your perspective on life. After all, life's greatest adventures often begin at the edge of your comfort zone. Fear can become a significant undertone as you age—fear of change, of irrelevance, of time running out. It's a formidable shadow that looms larger as you contemplate your place in the world. But this is also the time to confront these fears head-on. Understanding them can be the first step in overcoming them. Fear, when faced, can transform into a powerful motivator. It can push you to take risks, to make amends, to step into the unknown. By addressing your fears, you open the door to courage and resilience. This isn't just about conquering fear; it's about using it as a stepping stone to a more authentic life.