As well as being one of the most precious types of green tea in the world and used in traditional tea ceremonies in Japan since the 7th century, matcha has undoubtedly peaked the interest of superfood fans the world over – for its supposed health benefits as well as that Instagrammable green froth. But is it really a healthier alternative to my beloved coffee?
I've been thinking a lot about my coffee consumption lately, and how it might be impacting my wellbeing. Having heard a lot about the health-promoting properties of matcha, I decided to try giving up my daily oat cappuccino for two weeks and opting for a matcha latte instead.
What is matcha?
Matcha is a finely-ground powder made from the green tea leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which grows in the shade. Thanks to this growing method, the tea gets its bright green colour from a high chlorophyll content, which means it offers a wealth of nutrients.
In contrast to conventional green tea, the whole leaf is consumed with matcha, which apparently allows the full potential of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to be extracted. Just like coffee, matcha contains caffeine – but many report that because of its high L-theanine levels, it can provide a lasting, gentle alertness without the typical jitteriness that coffee can cause.
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Swapping my coffee for matcha
Before this experiment, I would say I counted myself as an indulgent coffee drinker. I don't need caffeine to feel awake and energised – I just look forward to my morning ritual of a hot, creamy cappuccino with oat milk because it tastes so good. Turns out, I had no clue.
From eleven o'clock in the morning on the very first day of giving up coffee, I could only think about one thing: my desperate need for my oat cappuccino. I feel sluggish, foggy-headed and low in energy. Maybe this would be harder than I thought.
"For those who want to avoid the dreaded caffeine withdrawls, a hot matcha latte could be the answer," Louisa Birkhahn, founder of Matcha Union, tells me. So for my self-test, I choose the brand's Ceremonial Grade matcha, which tastes mild and smooth and works perfectly with milk and milk alternatives.
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I have to admit: with deadlines approaching and a jam-packed day-to-day life, I wimped out on the first day of the experiment. By the afternoon, I couldn't take it anymore and had a cup of coffee. But the caffeine kick didn't very last long, and neither did my happiness. So I promised myself I would commit from then on.
During the first week, I drink a matcha latte with oat milk in the morning and sometimes a second one in the afternoon – occasionally with ice instead, which almost tastes better.
The first thing I notice is that my new matcha ritual is much more time-consuming, but also a pleasant change. When I make my coffee, I simply press the coffee machine button and froth some milk – but my new five-minute routine is surprisingly calming. My cravings for coffee last for a few more days, but can be quickly satisfied with my new matcha blend.
After the first week, I've already got used to my matcha routine. The green tea tastes good and gives me energy – and the prospect of extra health benefits also helps me stick with it.
A transformative supplement.
My conclusion
After trying out drinking matcha instead of coffee for two weeks, I have to admit that I haven't completely given up coffee yet. On the first day after the two weeks, I looked forward to my morning coffee – but I have cut down to only one cup of coffee a day instead of two, and have a matcha latte in the early afternoon instead. Or some days, I go without completely in the afternoons.
It was a fitting coincidence that I started the experiment shortly before my period, when I usually suffer from PMS symptoms such as lack of energy and mood swings. Surprisingly, I didn't experience any of that while I was drinking the matcha. This was probably the biggest change to my wellbeing, as I felt better all the way up to my period. Even those around me (ergo: my partner) noticed this – so I'll be reaching for the matcha again in the days leading up to my period next month.
I also hadn't realised how much I relied on coffee, or that I would suffer any withdrawal symptoms from it. So, my long-term goal is to add more variety to my hot drink selection. Coffee, matcha, cocoa, herbal tea – these are now my go-tos, instead of just my oat cappuccinos. Since I've integrated these swaps into my everyday life, I feel rested, more awake and healthier as a result. Plus, the ceremonial preparation of matcha tea remains a small highlight in my everyday life.
A version of this article originally appeared on GLAMOUR Germany.
