Yulia Shumakova
GET TO KNOW YULIA
Yulia Shumakova, known as @thecashmeremuse, spent 15 years living in Japan as a model, where she fell in love with the culture, tea rituals, photography and antique kimonos—a passion that led her to found @loveforkimonos. Now living in France and a globetrotting mom, Yulia incorporates matcha into her daily life, whether recharging with a Hikari matcha ceremony or savoring it alongside wagashi desserts. For Yulia, matcha is more than a drink—it’s a ritual of mindfulness and a comforting reminder of her time in Japan.
Q &A
Can you share a bit about your daily wellness routine?
1. I do drink matcha and green tea almost every day in the afternoon as a part of my wellness routine. When I feel that I need an energy boost, I know that matcha unlike anything else will do it for me with a long lasting effect. And I know that it’s much healthier than having an espresso, because it’s full of antioxidants.
What are some rituals or habits that help you stay balanced and energized?
2. I have a 6 month old baby boy and when I feel like I need a break, I ask my relatives to look after him while I light a small Japanese rice candle and do a simple matcha ceremony. After that I do feel recharged.
What first drew you to matcha, and how has it become part of your routine?
3. I was lucky enough to try my first matcha in a tea house while traveling in Kyoto almost 15 years ago. It had a strong bitter flavor and I cannot say I liked it very much, but I loved the ceremony and a beautiful elegant lady in a kimono who prepared it for me. In a few years I have decided to give matcha another try and bought a sweeter and much more gentle type of matcha in a famous tea shop and absolutely fell in love with it since then.
What’s your favorite way to prepare HIKARI matcha? Do you have any unique recipes?
4. Hikari matcha is one of my absolute favorites for its unique taste and I love making it straight along with some simple dessert, like hoshigaki- dried persimmon or wagashi.
Matcha has a rich cultural history. What does it mean to you personally?
5. Matcha has a rich cultural history and I feel lucky that we have access to it nowadays. Lucky to enjoy the drink that only royals could afford at the time when it just got discovered.
How does HIKARI matcha fit into your lifestyle?
6. I travel for work a lot lately and I bring my Hikari matcha with me on the road. I know that I would feel like home anywhere when I have a cup of it.
If you could enjoy a matcha moment anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
7. I love taking my portable matcha set on the hikes with me so I can enjoy a beautiful view with a warm cup of matcha to boost my energy for the way down.
