Coffee Versus Matcha: The Benefits Of Matcha Tea

Green tea has always had a reputation as a health-boosting beverage. In recent years, matcha tea has reached newfound popularity and set itself apart from other green tea varieties. It can be found on most cafe menus and has even made its way to major coffee chains. You’ve likely heard of it, but you might be curious exactly what sets it apart from other types of tea and coffee.

Matcha is a powdered Japanese green tea that’s made up of ground young tea leaves. It is prepared by combining a small amount of the tea with hot water and whisking the mixture together. Matcha is the most caffeinated tea delivering about the same caffeine content as coffee. It has such a high caffeine content because matcha is made from whole tea leaves. This also means it delivers twice the amount of antioxidants as regular green tea, making it the best green tea variety for promoting good health. If you have been looking for a healthier alternative to those daily cups of joe, matcha can be a great option.

 Matcha tea benefits are similar to those of coffee. Both matcha and coffee are low-calorie beverages when prepared without adding milk, sugar, or creamer, and the caffeine in both can help aid weight loss. The two beverages are also rich in antioxidants, which provide essential nutrients and can help your body fight disease and improve heart health. And of course, both will make you feel more energized.

 Where matcha differs quite significantly from coffee is the way it releases caffeine. Coffee provides an instant energy kick that reduces fatigue. Upon consumption, your body absorbs up to 99% of the caffeine, which means that it can take as little as 15 minutes for the caffeine in coffee to reach peak blood concentration levels. With that instant kick can come unwanted side effects, like jitters, headaches, heart palpitations, anxiety, and a temporary increase in blood pressure.

 Matcha, on the other hand, will boost your energy at a much slower rate. It contains L-theanine, an amino acid naturally occurring in green and black tea. L-theanine has been known to reduce stress, when combined with caffeine it decreases exhaustion and increases focus. Also, unlike coffee, drinking matcha tea will not stain your teeth and has antibacterial properties that can help to keep your gums and teeth healthy. That’s a pretty good reason to smile.

Now that matcha has become so popular, it’s much easier to find in grocery stores. However not all matcha is created equal. The different kinds of matcha tea available, such as ceremonial grade and culinary grade, can make shopping around confusing. Without going into too much detail, ceremonial grade matcha is the highest quality and is made for drinking on its own. Culinary grade matcha is made to be used in cooking and baking making it a great option for lattes and baked goods. If you are looking to add a cup of quality matcha to your daily routine, the Bokksu Boutique offers premium Japanese matcha tins and box sets, complete with all the tools you’ll need to enjoy your first cup of tea.