When you hear the word coffee, the first image that comes to mind would be making yourself a piping hot cup of Joe in the morning before you take on your day. On the other hand, if you’d hear, “matcha,” you might be thinking of sipping a hot cup of green tea goodness as you take a break in the afternoon and refill your tanks to help you end the day on a positive note.
While both drinks energize you and give you different kinds of warm delight, they have significant differences and work in different ways in your body.
What is coffee made from?
Its beans come from the coffee plant and are processed and roasted in different ways to achieve different tastes. Lighter roasts achieve a milder taste but preserve the caffeine levels, while darker roasts taste more bitter but have less caffeine.
Coffee is well-known and loved for its warm and bitter flavor along with its high caffeine content that can wake you up at any time of the day. In addition to this, there are unlimited ways to enjoy this drink; some like them brewed while others prefer espresso. Moreover, other flavors, syrups, and seasonings can be added to achieve the taste you want to satisfy your cravings.
What is Matcha made from?
Matcha comes from the Camellia sinensis tea plant. The whole green tea leaves are ground to a powder form and are processed to become the tea drink that many enjoy. Because the whole tea leaf is used, matcha is given its distinctive state, unlike most teas where only certain parts of the tea leaf are grounded.
Matcha vs. coffee: Benefits
Both drinks have their own health benefits. Research shows that drinking coffee can help lower the risks of heart disease and prevent cancer as well. Aside from this, it is also believed to help prevent cognitive decline.
Matcha, on the other hand, presents more health benefits when compared to coffee. It is naturally loaded with antioxidants, minerals, and amino acids that boost your immune system and cleanse your body from toxins. What’s even better is that it has anti-aging properties that can make you feel young inside and out.
Matcha vs. Coffee: Caffeine content
As you should know, coffee has a high caffeine content, which is helpful when you’re feeling tired or sleepy and need that quick pick-me-up drink. However, you should know the other effects of consuming too much caffeine.
High coffee consumption can give you that short burst of energy, but it can also make you feel jittery and nervous right after. Additionally, consuming it regularly in the morning can make you caffeine-dependent just to be energized each day.
If you’re thinking, “How much caffeine is in matcha?” Here’s the answer: It has 50% less caffeine content than coffee. What’s even better is that caffeine in matcha works in a different way. You won’t get the same caffeine spike you get from drinking coffee because it also contains phytonutrients like L-theanine that help your body absorb the caffeine slowly. Because of this, you get a long-lasting energy boost without the jittery feeling you get from drinking coffee. Plus, matcha’s caffeine hit is also calming; no crash and palpitations, just a great way to start your day!
Conclusion
So, is matcha good for you? Definitely! What’s even more remarkable is that you can also add it to other foods and drinks, like your smoothies, oatmeals, lattes, and even baked goodies. Incorporating matcha to your daily food items can help you reap its health benefits and enjoy great-tasting food at the same time!