Coffee has long been the drink of choice for those that need a morning pick-me-up, but matcha is becoming an increasingly popular beverage for people seeking an alternative caffeine kick.
Many coffee franchises now offer a more varied menu, introducing customers to a wide world of coffee and tea – so whether you’re on the side of coffee, matcha, or somewhere in the middle, there’s likely plenty to choose from at your local coffee shop.
What is Matcha?
While we’ve touched on the benefits and properties of coffee plenty of times, we’ve yet to delve into just what makes matcha so special. Matcha is made from powdered green tea leaves. This means that rather than steeping dry tea leaves in water as you normally would, when making matcha, you whisk the powder directly in the water, so you consume the entirety of the leaves rather than just an infusion in water.
During the growing period, the leaves are covered with shades. This is what makes matcha so green, as it increases the amount of chlorophyll in them.
Matcha has quite a fresh, earthy taste. Because of its unique flavour, it is often used as an ingredient in cakes, biscuits and other snacks. As a tea, it can be enjoyed with milk or just hot water.
How Much Caffeine is in Matcha?
Matcha might be considered a coffee alternative in terms of giving a caffeine boost, but how does it compare to the real thing?
Matcha has a higher caffeine content than most other green teas, with a standard serving containing 19-44mg of caffeine.
Exactly how much caffeine a cup of matcha tea contains will depend on a couple of things, such as the quality and freshness of the leaves, the amount of powder used and the water temperature.
How Much Caffeine is in Coffee?
Matcha might be becoming more popular, but there’s no denying that, on average, coffee has a much higher caffeine content.
A coffee serving may have around 95mg of caffeine, although this will heavily depend on the type of drink/how it’s prepared.
Drinking Coffee Vs Matcha
While coffee comes out on top as being more caffeinated, there are some other factors that may influence your decision on which is best for you. Both drinks are known for giving you a bit of a boost, but they do so in slightly different ways.
Coffee provides an instant kick – thus making it a great drink to combat morning sleepiness. The caffeine in coffee enters the bloodstream very quickly, which gives you an energy boost and makes you feel more alert. However, as this process is so quick, many coffee drinkers experience a bit of a crash after the initial spike.
On the other hand, the caffeine in matcha is absorbed more slowly by the body, allowing for a longer period where you may feel more alert and refreshed. While this slower release may not wake you up as quickly first thing in the morning, this also means you won't experience that caffeine crash later on that you might with coffee.
Ultimately, matcha can provide a steadier stream of energy, whereas coffee provides a more powerful initial hit. Which is best for you will likely depend on your daily routine – there is also taste and general preference to consider too!
The Benefits of Matcha
Aside from the longer-lasting energy boost, drinking matcha can offer a whole host of other benefits.
Matcha tea is rich in antioxidants, which can be linked to the promotion of general health, weight management and boosting immunity.
It’s also very easy to make a great cup of matcha. While you might have to rely on your local barista for a top-tier coffee, making matcha just requires a spoon of matcha powder, a whisk and hot water.
The Benefits of Coffee
While matcha might be sounding pretty good right now, coffee comes with its own set of benefits.
There is some evidence that drinking coffee can help boost brain performance, manage weight and lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. Like matcha, coffee also contains a large number of antioxidants, further supporting general health.
Compared to matcha, coffee is typically much cheaper and easier to get a hold of. Not every cafe or coffee shop will serve a matcha latte, but they’ll certainly have a coffee or two on the menu!
So, if you’re looking for something a little different to your usual brew, matcha might just be the answer. However, if it’s an instant caffeine hit you’re after, stick with the coffee!
Whatever your drink of choice, why not find out where your local Esquires store is to sit back and relax with a cup of something delicious?
