Sanya Malhotra’s Calm New Ritual: From Coffee to Matcha and Business Dreams

For years, actress Sanya Malhotra began her mornings with a comforting cup of coffee. It wasn’t just a drink— it was a peaceful routine where she would write and reflect. But over time, she noticed that even one cup of coffee made her feel nervous and tired once the effect wore off. She started looking for a healthier alternative and discovered matcha.

Discovering Matcha: A Calm Energy

Matcha is a special kind of green tea made by grinding the leaves into a fine powder."Instead of steeping like regular tea, matcha is blended straight into hot water and whisked until it becomes smooth and frothy." "Instead of steeping like regular tea, matcha is blended straight into hot water and whisked until it becomes smooth and frothy."

It has less caffeine than coffee but gives you steady energy without the crash. Sanya read about how matcha also contains L-theanine, an ingredient that helps you stay relaxed and focused. Since she had lived in Japan as a child, she already liked the idea of matcha—its bright green color, and even matcha-flavored sweets.

“When I started drinking matcha, I noticed a calm kind of energy. I called it ‘zen-energy’ because I felt peaceful and focused,” she said. She even got her best friend to try it—and she loved it too.

From Matcha Parties to a Business Idea

Soon, Sanya began hosting "matcha parties" with friends and tried different recipes like matcha lattes. But when she searched for high-quality matcha in India, she found most of the options were basic cookinggrade versions that didn’t have the bright color or smooth taste of Japanese ceremonial-grade matcha.

That’s when she saw a business opportunity. Her team connected her with Dr. Kunal Shah and Siddharth Shah, the founders of Essenzaa Nutrition, a Mumbai-based wellness company. Together, they created Bree Matcha.

Bree Matcha: A Passion Project

Launched recently, Bree Matcha offers:

Everyday Matcha: For regular energy and balance.

Ceremonial Matcha: For those who prefer the traditional experience

Gift Sets: With matcha tools and accessories

Sanya is fully involved in the brand, from taste-testing to designing the packaging. Bree Matcha gets its highquality matcha from Kagoshima, Japan, and packages it in India. Prices start at ₹510 and are available on Bree Matcha’s website.

“Our customers are people between 18 and 50+ who enjoy caffeine but want a better option. We’ll also help people learn how to prepare it and explore new recipes,” she shared.

More Than an Actress: Sanya’s Journey

While this business is exciting, Sanya says she only works on things she truly believes in—just like with films. She became more selective over time, choosing roles that align with her values. One example is her performance in Mrs., a remake of The Great Indian Kitchen, where she played a newlywed struggling between her dreams and society’s expectations.

“After Mrs., I felt stronger in trusting my choices as an actor. Women keep telling me how much they related to the film. That means a lot,” she said.

Sanya has always taken up different kinds of roles, from Dangal to Badhaai Ho, Love Hostel, Jawan, and Sam Bahadur. She shared that her journey started with Dangal, where she trained in wrestling for a year. That experience shaped her mindset to keep challenging herself.

In Pataakha, she played a wild, loud character—something very new to her—but she fell in love with the role during the audition. Among all her roles, Mrs. was the toughest. “We shot in order, and every day I felt more drained. That house in the film began to feel like a trap,” she admitted.

Letting Go and Moving Forward

Sanya also shared how platforms like OTT (streaming services) have opened new doors for actors. Shows like Pagglait, Ludo, and Meenakshi Sundareshwar allowed her to experiment more.

She recalled the best advice she got—from Shah Rukh Khan. “He told me not to overthink. And I agree. Once I understand the character, I just let it flow.”