Why Matcha is Gaining Popularity?

Matcha has become an increasingly popular alternative to coffee, especially among Gen Z. It is a finely ground powder made from specially grown green tea leaves and is known for its high antioxidant content, steady caffeine release, and potential health benefits. Some reported benefits of matcha include:

• Enhanced cognitive function
• Potential cancer-fighting properties
• Support for weight management

As someone who relies heavily on caffeine to get through the day, I decided to replace my coffee with matcha for a month. Here’s what I experienced.

Understanding Matcha and Its Benefits

Matcha differs from regular green tea because it involves consuming the entire tea leaf in powdered form. This results in a higher concentration of nutrients, including caffeine and antioxidants. Unlike coffee, which delivers an immediate energy spike followed by a crash, matcha provides a more gradual and sustained energy release.

My Usual Coffee Routine vs. Matcha Setup

Before diving into my experience, here’s a breakdown of my usual caffeine intake:

• I typically drink a double shot of espresso in my morning iced coffee, which contains about 254 mg of caffeine.
• For this experiment, I prepared matcha using 2 teaspoons of matcha powder (about 140 mg of caffeine) mixed with 4 oz of hot water. Instead of a traditional bamboo whisk, I used the milk frothing attachment on my espresso machine to blend it.

How to Prepare Matcha

If you’re new to matcha, here’s how to prepare it properly:

1. Measure 1 teaspoon of matcha powder and add it to a bowl.
2. Heat water to around 158°F (70°C) and pour 2 oz into the bowl.
3. Whisk the mixture until smooth and frothy using a bamboo whisk (chasen), a regular whisk, or an electric frother.
4. Pour over hot milk for a warm latte, or add ice and cold milk for an iced matcha drink.

Taste and Cost Considerations

Since high-quality matcha can be expensive, I opted for a bulk bag from a wholesale store for around $20. It wasn’t ceremonial grade, but since I was mixing it with milk, I didn’t notice much difference.

If you prefer drinking matcha plain or without sweeteners, it’s worth investing in a higher-quality product. Matcha can have a grassy taste, so I experimented with sweeteners to enhance the flavor. My favorites included:

• Maple syrup (my top pick!)
• Liquid stevia
• Vanilla extract
• Honey

The First Few Days: Struggling Without Coffee

The first day without coffee was rough—I felt exhausted. However, I didn’t experience the withdrawal headaches I usually get when skipping coffee, likely due to the moderate caffeine content in matcha.

The biggest challenge was the lack of an immediate energy boost. Coffee gives me a strong surge of energy and motivation, allowing me to dive into my work. In contrast, matcha provided a more gradual energy release, which felt underwhelming at first.

Energy Levels Throughout the Month

As I continued drinking matcha, I noticed that:

• I didn’t get the instant energy spike that coffee provided.
• My energy levels remained steady throughout the day, without a mid-afternoon crash.
• Over time, I adapted to this more balanced energy release, but I still missed the jolt that coffee gave me.

Interestingly, when I switched back to coffee after a month, I experienced a headache—perhaps due to my body readjusting to the higher caffeine intake.

Final Verdict: Would I Do This Again?

No.

While matcha has some clear benefits, such as steady energy and high antioxidant content, I missed the immediate boost that coffee provides. I also prefer the taste of coffee over matcha.

I rely on my morning coffee to kickstart my day, and without it, I felt less productive. Although matcha is a great occasional alternative, it doesn’t replace coffee for me.

Conclusion

Matcha is a fantastic option for those looking for a more balanced energy source without the jitters or crashes of coffee. However, for coffee lovers who enjoy the strong boost of caffeine, making the switch permanently may be difficult. If you’re curious, trying matcha for a few weeks could help you decide whether it’s a good fit for your lifestyle!