Even if you’re a die-hard coffee drinker like me, you should broaden your horizons and consider trying Matcha.
Table Of Contents
−- A comprehensive comparison of matcha and coffee
- What is coffee made out of?
- What is Matcha made out of?
- Preparing a cup of Matcha
- Preparing a cup of Coffee
- Caffeine differences between Matcha and coffee
- Nutrient comparison
- Health benefits comparison
- Health risks
- Acidity in coffee vs. Matcha
- Pros and cons
- Frequently asked questions
- Conclusion
It’s gaining popularity for a reason, and you can now purchase a matcha-based latte at almost every coffee shop.
But do you understand exactly what Matcha is and what it has to do with green tea? In terms of caffeine and possible health advantages, how does it compare to coffee?
A comprehensive comparison of matcha and coffee
Matcha and coffee both contain caffeine, which may increase our alertness.
A cup of coffee is often more caffeinated than a cup of Matcha, but the latter includes L-Theanine, which helps to even out your energy levels. Matcha contains L-Theanine, which has soothing effects, making it a superior alternative to coffee for individuals who suffer from anxiety or live a hectic lifestyle.
Matcha is also less likely than coffee to induce an increase in blood pressure, caffeine jitters, or caffeine crash, so it may help you stay alert for longer.
Matcha and coffee both include helpful bioactive chemicals that have been linked to a variety of health advantages.
Matcha, on the other hand, has more antioxidants than coffee.
Experts are currently researching the multiple benefits and potential drawbacks of coffee and Matcha to know their impact on human health better.
All of the information was acquired via extensive research and is based on published scientific papers.
What is coffee made out of?
As we know it, in our daily shot of espresso or cup of joe in our lattes, coffee originates from the Coffea plant. Coffee beans are the Coffea plant’s fruit, known as coffee cherries, processed and roasted to human tastes and preferences.
Coffee is well-known for its warm and bitter taste, smooth texture, and caffeine content. Lighter coffee roasts have a softer flavor and are higher in caffeine, while darker roasts are stronger and more bitter but contain less caffeine. Some people drink brewed coffee, while others drink espresso, a more concentrated coffee version. Combine these with other tastes, syrups, and spices, and you’ll see why coffee is so popular – there seems to be a flavor to fit every taste.
What is Matcha made out of?
On the other hand, Matcha is prepared from green tea leaves from the Camellia sinensis tea plant. The processing of Matcha tea distinguishes it from other varieties of tea. Most teas are prepared from tea leaf sections, but matcha tea is manufactured from the whole tea leaf pounded to a powder.
Preparing a cup of Matcha
Here’s how to make a perfect cup (or, more accurately, bowl) of Matcha:
- To begin, put 1.5 teaspoons of matcha tea powder in your cup.
- Then, add roughly 2 ounces of just-below-boiling water into your cup and
- Whisk or stir the mixture till the tea is frothy.
Preparing a cup of Coffee
It’s a different ball game when it comes to coffee.
First, grind your coffee beans or purchase pre-ground coffee beans.
Then you have a few choices. You may use a coffee maker and add the appropriate amount of coffee grounds and water to the top and after that, wait 7–10 minutes for the machine to finish.
Alternatively, pour your coffee grinds, heat them, and pour near-boiling water into the press if you have a French press. Then, set aside for 5 minutes to steep before gently inserting the plunger into the mixture.
Whatever your opinion is on the flavor differences between these two caffeinated beverages, you must acknowledge that coffee takes much more time and work to prepare!
Caffeine differences between Matcha and coffee
Caffeine is the active component in coffee that we cherish for its stimulating characteristics.
Matcha also contains caffeine – around 30 milligrams in half a teaspoon, which is the suggested serving amount on most Matcha green tea containers.
Nonetheless, many users add a full teaspoon to their matcha lattes and smoothies, resulting in a drink with around 60 milligrams of caffeine.
According to the USDA, a shot of espresso has 63.6 mg of caffeine, whereas 8 fl oz (240 ml) of brewed coffee has 95 milligrams.
Caffeine levels in matcha tea and coffee might vary from one cup to the next.
They are affected by several factors, including the quantity of green powder used in a tea serving, the kind of coffee beans used, their roast character, and the brewing process used during coffee extraction.
For example, caffeine levels were found to be within a broad range of 58 to 259 mg per dosage in one research, which examined the caffeine content of coffee samples taken from coffee shops.
That being said, it’s reasonable to state that a cup of matcha tea has less caffeine than a cup of coffee. This is not to say that Matcha green tea cannot wake you up and increase your alertness and energy levels in the morning.
While Matcha and coffee contain caffeine, the former includes an essential amino acid dubbed L-theanine (or Theanine) that influences how caffeine affects humans.
Coffee, for example, has been linked to higher blood pressure owing to its caffeine concentration.
There is proof that Theanine lowers caffeine’s unfavorable impact on blood pressure while maintaining caffeine’s capacity to increase cognitive performance.
This implies that the mix of caffeine and L-theanine in Matcha green tea will gently wake you up without causing your heart to beat and will likely lessen the likelihood of caffeine jitters.
Compared to coffee, Matcha may be better at keeping you aware for longer since it is associated with a lesser risk of an unpleasant caffeine crash.
It’s also worth mentioning that scientific evidence suggests that combining L-theanine and caffeine improves our capacity to stay concentrated on current activity and avoid distractions.
This is a significant benefit for many people who compare Matcha green tea to coffee.
Nutrient comparison
Both coffee and Matcha have very few calories when served without extra components such as milk, cream, sugar, or flavored syrups.
Furthermore, coffee has around 96 mg of caffeine every 8-ounce (240-mL) cup, while Matcha has 19–44 mg per gram — equaling 38–88 mg every 2-ounce (60-mL) drink if prepared the traditional method.
The caffeine level of Matcha varies greatly depending on the quantity of powder used, the kind and freshness of the leaves used to synthesize the powder, water temperature, and brewing time.
Both drinks have a bitter flavor. Matcha has a grassy or earthy taste, while coffee is known for its roasted and occasionally nutty chocolate taste and scent.
Health benefits comparison
Health benefits of coffee
Coffee is one of the most extensively consumed drinks globally, and it has received great attention in the scientific community. It is a brewed beverage made from roasted coffee beans which are also the seeds of berries from certain Coffea plant species.
Several studies have shown that coffee may have several health advantages, including:
- Improved attention and cognitive performance.
- Reduced blood pressure.
- Improved strength and athletic performance.
- Reduced risk of certain types of cancer.
- Reduced inflammation.
- Reduced risk of diabetes.
Health benefits of matcha
Matcha has been linked to a variety of health advantages, including
- Increased and sustained energy.
- Improved mental focus.
- Reduced risk of cancer.
- Improved relaxation.
- Improved sleep.
- Reduced blood pressure.
- Increased production of serotonin levels.
- Improved cognitive function.
- Improved immune system function.
- Reduced inflammation.
Health risks
Because both Matcha and coffee contain caffeine, you must be careful not to take too much of either. Berkman suggests “limiting yourself to three or fewer glasses every day.” According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, caffeine consumption should be limited to fewer than 400 mg per day.”
Caffeine overdose may result in the following symptoms:
- Headaches.
- Increased anxiety.
- Increase heart rate.
- Diarrhea.
- Increased breathing rate.
- Insomnia.
Matcha may contain lead, which the plant absorbs from the environment. When using conventional green tea, 90 percent of the lead remains in the tea leaves, which is acceptable since the leaves are discarded after steeping. However, since Matcha is made from ground-up leaves, it contains more lead.
According to ConsumerLab.com, an independent tea testing organization, a cup of Matcha may contain up to 30 times more lead than a cup of green tea. As a result, it is advised that you restrict yourself to no more than one to two cups per day and avoid providing them to youngsters.
Acidity in coffee vs. Matcha
Coffee is more acidic than Matcha regarding acidity, with ph values ranging from 4.85 to 5.13. Matcha has an alkaline pH of roughly 9.
Matcha green tea is a better choice than coffee if you have a sensitive stomach and want a less acidic caffeinated morning beverage.
However, if you have GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), drinking matcha or coffee may aggravate your symptoms due to the caffeine level.
Nonetheless, Matcha has less caffeine than brewed coffee so it may be a better choice.
Pros and cons
Whether you favor coffee or Matcha, remember that both have pros and cons.
Pros of Matcha
Aside from the above-stated advantages, some of Matcha’s advantages are as follows:
- It aids with relaxation. L-theanine, as previously said, calms the mind without creating sleepiness via enhancing alpha waves in the brain.
- Improves oral health. Unlike coffee, Matcha may enhance dental health, which is directly related to overall health.
- Simple to create. To make a cup of Matcha, combine hot water and matcha powder in a mixing bowl. There is no need for any specialized equipment.
- There is no coffee breath. That is all there is to it.
Cons of Matcha
Here are a few of Matcha’s possible drawbacks:
- More costly. Matcha is more costly than coffee. However, costs vary based on quality.
- There is a risk of liver toxicity. Although additional study is required, large dosages of EGCG and other matcha polyphenols may cause liver damage.
- Contaminant risk. Because Matcha is created from powdered green tea leaves, there is a danger of absorbing heavy metals such as lead and arsenic.
Pros of Coffee
Coffee may also provide some extra benefits:
- It is less costly. Again, this is dependent on the quality, but in general, coffee is less expensive than Matcha.
- May reduce the risk and possibility of developing type 2 diabetes. Caffeinated and decaf coffee may enhance type 2 diabetes markers and reduce its prevalence by up to 12% for every two cups drunk per day.
- Extremely accessible. You can locate a coffee shop in almost any place. Alternatively, you may purchase a cup of coffee at a restaurant, a supermarket, or even ready-to-drink alternatives.
Cons of coffee
Coffee, like Matcha, has drawbacks:
- It can lead to dependency. Caffeine is a potent stimulant of the central nervous system. Caffeine use disorder or dependency may result from excessive coffee consumption.
- Negative side effects. When consuming or quitting coffee, some individuals suffer undesirable side effects such as sleeplessness, nervousness, elevated heart rate, migraines, and anxiety.
Frequently asked questions
Will you experience a caffeine crash after consuming Matcha?
Matcha includes l-theanine, an amino acid that helps your body absorb caffeine more slowly. That isn’t to suggest that chugging Matcha won’t result in a caffeine crash, but l-theanine is said to have a relaxing impact on the body.
Still, restrict yourself to three to four cups of Matcha daily to avoid exceeding the Dietary Guidelines for Americans‘ suggested maximum of 400 milligrams of caffeine per day.
Is it possible to find decaf matcha?
You’re lucky if you want to drink a gorgeous green latte without worrying about caffeine.
There is such a thing as decaf matcha. However, remember that you may not get all the benefits if you go this way. Some antioxidants may be lost during the caffeine removal procedure. Ultimately, everything comes down to a cost-benefit analysis. If caffeine is a no-no for you, go for decaf.
Should you substitute Matcha for coffee?
Finally, whether you drink Matcha or coffee for a nice boost is a matter of personal choice.
If you can’t bear the flavor of Matcha, don’t push yourself to try it simply for the EGCG. If you like Matcha and coffee, there are a few occasions when you should grab a cup of the green stuff instead of your normal java.
Matcha is recommended for “those who would like some caffeine during the day but would not want to crash.”
Matcha and coffee both have several health advantages. However, if you are caffeine sensitive or find coffee too acidic, Matcha may be a softer option containing caffeine.
Conclusion
You now better understand how Matcha compares and contrasts to coffee in terms of health benefits, caffeine, and general influence on our bodies.
Matcha seems to have a unique flavor for persons used to a western diet, and not all habitual coffee drinkers like its distinct flavor.
All in all, Matcha and coffee are both excellent ways to start the day.
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Disclosure: No compensation or free products were received in exchange for writing this review.
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