The first sip of Zazu Mushrooms' mushroom matcha offers an earthy flavor, with mushroom and matcha flavors blending harmoniously into a refreshing, thirst-quenching beverage. While the mushroom flavor is distinct, it is not overbearing — resulting in a clean, unique drink that both tastes and feels good. Created in partnership with Shades of Lavender, this new beverage aims to provide a fresh-tasting, healthful experience.
The creative blend behind the matcha reflects the unexpected path that led Brad and Angie McLeish to Zazu Mushrooms. Brad and Angie bought Zazu Mushrooms in Matawaan in late summer 2021, during the height of the pandemic. "I was just kind of goofing around online and found an MLive article about islands for sale in Lake Michigan," says Brad. "The next one was about a mushroom farm for sale."
After joking with their mycophile friend Hal, who now runs the Zazu stand at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market, Brad and Angie began seriously considering the purchase. They soon realized that owning the business would align with their long-term life goals. The couple went on to buy the farm from Jackie and Zach Alkhamis, Zazu's founders.
The McLeishes are originally from South Bend, Indiana. Angie worked as a preschool teacher for 26 years. Brad continues to operate a research and consulting firm specializing in "program evaluations and needs assessments for public entities and nonprofits." Brad says that the mushroom business "was on the side," but now the two occupations "pretty much take up equal amounts of time."
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