It’s easy to get addicted to your daily caffeine fix, especially early in the morning, and certainly when you’re working a nine-to-five every day.
Many people rely on their first cup of coffee (or matcha) in the morning to give them a natural energy boost and good flavor for the rest of the day.
However, you might be curious if there is a physiological advantage to one type of caffeine over another. If you’re a big fan of both and wondering about some of the benefits, as well as the pros and cons of each other, keep reading Matcha vs Coffee!
Table of Contents
What is matcha?
Matcha is a finely pulverized form of tea that comes from a shade-grown plant. The drink is prepared by adding the matcha powder (i.e. the dried leaves ground into a fine powder) to the cup and then adding boiling water to the cup.
What is coffee?
This question may seem too trivial for readers, but let’s make the comparison honest.
Just like Matcha, coffee also comes from a plant source. The difference, however, is that it is the seed of the coffee tree. You know these seeds as coffee beans. We’re sure you’ve had to grind them at least once in your life.
Matcha vs Coffee – What is the main difference?
Coffee is our age-old partner when it comes to caffeinated beverages. However, there is another one that would be competing with coffee. Yes! The delicate Matcha Asian drink. Don’t get me wrong, but we had to set boundaries (pun intended).
Both drinks can provide an energy boost, but they do it in different ways. Coffee drinkers often report feeling less tired and more alert after drinking the drink. This is because the body rapidly absorbs caffeine with peak blood levels occurring as early as 15 minutes after ingestion.
Coffee has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier and inhibit sleep-inducing adenosine receptor activity once it reaches the brain. It can help you stay awake.
Matcha, on the other hand, can provide you with energy more gradually than coffee. Matcha contains L-theanine, an amino acid found in green tea trees that increases alpha brain waves.
The amino acid L-theanine is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and can improve concentration for up to 30 minutes, without feeling jittery.
Do coffee and matcha taste different?
Yes, the two drinks have intriguing taste differences. Coffee tastes nutty, smells like chocolate, and what does Matcha taste like? Matcha tastes like grass. You will find the aroma familiar if you are aware of Asian tea culture.
Both beverages are believed to have health benefits. Let’s see what each drink has to offer:
Nutrient comparison: Coffee vs Matcha
Matcha and coffee contain minimal calories if prepared without any added ingredients like sugar, flavored syrups, cream or milk.
A standard cup of matcha is made by mixing one teaspoon (about 2 grams) of powder with 2 ounces (60 ml) of hot water, while coffee is usually made with hot water.
Here’s the nutritional comparison between a standard serving of each drink – a 240ml cup of brewed coffee and a 60ml cup of matcha:
| Coffee | Matcha | |
| Calories: | 2 | 5 |
| Carbs: | 0 gm | 0 gm |
| Sugar: | 0gm | 0gm |
| Fiber: | 0gm | 0gm |
| Protein: | 0.3gm | 1gm |
| Fat: | 0.5gm | 0gm |
Additionally, coffee contains around 96mg of caffeine per 240ml cup, while matcha contains 19-44mg per gram, or 38-88mg per 60ml serving if prepared in the standard way.
The wide variety of caffeine content in matcha is related to the amount of powder, the variety and freshness of the leaves used to make the powder, the water temperature and the steeping time.
Both drinks taste bitter. The flavor of Matcha is grassy or earthy, while coffee is famous for its roasty and sometimes nutty and chocolatey flavor and aroma.
Summary: Both coffee and matcha have minimal calories and a bitter taste. Although both are caffeinated beverages, coffee contains more caffeine than matcha per serving.
Benefits of matcha:
1. Matcha is packed with antioxidants:
Matcha surpasses other superfoods like goji berries and pomegranate in terms of antioxidant power, which makes it so superb and so popular. Why are antioxidants so important and popular in your beverages? Because they can prevent oxidation of other molecules in the body, which is the root cause of aging.
Matcha contains far more antioxidants per serving than ten cups of brewed green tea and far more than coffee, which lacks catechins linked to cancer prevention and delayed aging.
2. It protects the liver:
Matcha is the basis of green tea. Green tea and Matcha both come from the same plant. However, planting methods vary. Green tea is grown under sunlight, but Matcha is shaded from the sun, giving it concentrated chlorophyll activity, hence a darker green hue.
Green tea has been studied for its protective effects against chronic liver disease. There is empirical evidence that green teas, including Matcha, prevent the hyperproduction of liver enzymes in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
3. It also burns fat
Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that compared to people who did not consume matcha green tea, those who did consume it burned 35-43% more calories during the day.
Another study found that fat burning was increased by 25% when exercise was performed immediately after drinking matcha green tea. If you’re trying to lose weight and you’re passionate about this lifestyle and fitness journey, you definitely have to give it a try.
4. Clean and clear skin
Green tea is becoming a common ingredient in beauty products (in case you haven’t noticed, but now you know), but consuming matcha is the best way to get the benefits for your skin.
Coffee’s higher caffeine levels can cause physical stress that can lead to acne, while matcha’s low caffeine content and healthy ingredients can work wonders for your skin.
Drinking green tea may be beneficial in preventing cancer, free radical damage, hair loss, and skin aging.
Women who have struggled with their skincare journey, fine lines, acne, or elasticity will finally enjoy smooth skin (and after several cups and regular drinking).
4. Improves your brain function:
The caffeine in Matcha activates brain cells, making the consumer more alert, and more physically active than before. You may have a better mood and a faster response rate after taking a cup of freshly dissolved Matcha.
Cons of matcha:
1. It’s an expensive drink:
While coffee remains a commonly consumed beverage, premium matcha can be an expensive beverage to consume on a regular basis.
2. Excessive consumption can cause liver damage:
You can take a limited amount of drink (one cup per day) to experience its benefits against liver disease. However, if you overuse it, this same beneficial drink can damage your liver.
3. The grinding process can add impurities:
Matcha tea leaves are pulverized, so there is an increased risk of contamination, such as particles of lead or other metals in the drink.
Benefits of coffee:
Coffee may seem like just an ordinary drink for a certain energy boost, but it actually has so much more to offer.
1. Protection against type ii diabetes:
Studies show that people who drink coffee regularly are less likely to develop metabolic syndromes like type II diabetes. The reason for this protection lies in the chemical composition of coffee. It contains many micronutrients like potassium, magnesium, vitamin B-2, etc.
2. It is rich in antioxidants:
Just like Matcha, Coffee is also rich in antioxidants which have the effect of protecting cells against free radicals in the body. While Matcha contains catechins as the main antioxidant, Coffee contains polyphenols. Antioxidants destroy free radicals that can cause metabolism disruption.
3. Gives a fast energy boost:
The caffeine in coffee alerts brain cells. The rapid absorption of caffeine gives a quick energy boost that helps you fight fatigue and drowsiness.
4. Protection against parkinson’s disease:
The natural ingredients in coffee protect against Parkinson’s disease. Not only does its consumption protect against Parkinson’s disease, but it also helps patients with this disease to control their involuntary movements.
Coffee disadvantages:
1. It can alter the condition of the brain:
Excessive coffee consumption can lead to permanent changes in the state of the brain. If people don’t optimize their coffee intake, they can face issues like anxiety.
2. Commercially produced coffee may contain toxins:
Mycotoxins are present in commercially produced coffee and leave a question mark over coffee safety.
3. Potential for fractures in women:
Researchers have observed that women who drink coffee beyond the recommended limits can easily suffer fractures.
Matcha vs. Coffee: Commons and uncommon
Now that we’ve seen the pros and cons of both drinks, here’s a quick look at how they perform, respectively:
Calorie level:
Both drinks are virtually calorie-free if you add nothing to them.
Energy boost:
Both drinks contain caffeine. However, the caffeine in coffee acts very quickly compared to the caffeine in Matcha. Coffee can give a quick energy boost which will then lead to many other problems.
In contrast, the caffeine in Matcha is slow-acting and is eliminated from the body relatively quickly.
Antioxidants:
Both are loaded with antioxidants and help prevent many chronic diseases such as cancer and type II diabetes. However, Matcha is higher in antioxidants.
Matcha and coffee are both energy drinks that help reduce weight and fight diseases in the human body. Coffee is a cheap drink, but matcha is higher in positive energy and antioxidants.
What are the options with Matcha?
Matcha can replace coffee on your terms, whether you’re an iced coffee lover or a fan of expensive store-bought lattes. It just depends on your preparation, time, effort, and the ingredients needed. Those who have an espresso machine at home have to get used to mixing. Your options are:
Matcha Iced Tea: Unlike cold brew coffee, this one does not require a complex or labor-intensive extraction procedure.
Simply add matcha, ice and cold water to a shakeable container, such as a mason jar or water bottle, and shake vigorously!
This is a fantastic method for frozen drink lovers to get their matcha fix.
Matcha Lattes: Although excessive amounts of milk or sugar will dull the flavor and overall effect of matcha, we won’t stop if you have a sweet tooth.
You can easily replace your expensive Starbucks coffee habit with a better one at home, whether you want your matcha lattes hot with steamed or frothed milk or blended cold and frozen.
When preparing matcha with milk, we recommend using the culinary type of matcha.
It goes well with cappuccinos.
Matcha smoothie: If you need an early morning boost and are looking for nutritional options and high-calorie intake, this is the smoothie for you! Just add matcha, mint, vanilla and banana for a little sweetness and for breakfast if you’re in a hurry or on the go!
Find out the benefits of fruit smoothies.
Conclusion: Coffee vs Matcha
In conclusion, both Matcha and Coffee offer unique benefits that make them great caffeinated drinks. Matcha is a delicate, yet powerful beverage that is packed with antioxidants and can provide a boost of energy.
Coffee, on the other hand, is a more traditional drink that offers a bold flavor and can also provide a quick pick-me-up. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide which drink they prefer.
But one thing is certain – both Matcha and Coffee have earned their rightful place in the caffeinated beverage hall of fame.
