So you probably want to know – does matcha have caffeine? I’m a big fan of all drinks green, and I’m going to share with you what I know about matcha.
You may have noticed that matcha tea has grown in popularity over the last few years. Anyone who knows anything about the Kardashians, knows that Kourtney loves a matcha tea.
As someone who likes to frequent cafes and try different types of drinks, I have tried matcha and given it my tick of approval. I’m more of a matcha latte type of person, and nothing looks prettier than a cute cup of milky green matcha with a heart formed in the froth.
This post is all about the caffeine content of matcha tea + more.
Spilling The Tea On Matcha
So, matcha actually has around three times the concentration of caffeine as regular green tea. Matcha also has a unique taste and is prepared in a different way than other types of green tea. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re interested in drinking more matcha, which is great news because it’s one of the healthiest teas out there. Here are some more facts about matcha that will supercharge your love for this remarkable tea.
What is matcha?
Matcha is a type of powdered green tea. It is made from the same leaves as other green teas, but it’s grown differently. Matcha bushes are shade-grown, which means they’re shielded from direct sunlight, typically for about 20 days. This increases the amount of chlorophyll in the leaves, which contributes to their dark colour and makes them healthier and more potent.
When you drink matcha, you’re consuming these potent antioxidants, which have been shown to reduce the risk of certain diseases, improve blood flow, and even fight certain types of cancer.
Does matcha have caffeine?
One cup of matcha (about 300 grams) has around 40 milligrams of caffeine, which is around 3 times the amount of caffeine in the same amount of regular green tea. Most of this caffeine is released into the bloodstream shortly after consuming the tea.
For those who want a quick pick-me-up or a caffeine boost but don’t want the jittery or crash-y side effects of coffee or other caffeinated drinks, matcha may be a good alternative. The caffeine in matcha seems to have a gentler effect on the body than regular caffeinated tea. Furthermore, matcha also has L-theanine, a naturally-occurring amino acid that has been shown to have relaxing and focus-enhancing properties. In combination with the caffeine in matcha, L-theanine may have a synergistic effect that enhances mental alertness.
How to make matcha: The art and science
Matcha is made by grinding dried green tea leaves into a fine powder. The powder is whisked together with hot water, using a chasen (bamboo whisk), making it froth into a foamy green mixture. When making matcha, the consistency of the froth is key: the better your whisking, the more bubbles. So whisk away! When done right, the end result is a thick, bright green mixture that’s smooth and creamy on the palate.
A bad matcha is made up of big clumps of powder, which means you won’t get all the antioxidants and other healthy compounds from the leaves. Another important factor in making good matcha is water temperature. When whisking matcha, the water temperature should be 80-85°C (175–185°F). If it’s too cold, the bubbles won’t form, and if it’s too hot, the matcha will lose its flavour and nutrients.
Matcha has a unique taste and texture
Matcha is a unique type of green tea thanks to its high concentration of chlorophyll. This gives the tea a more earthy taste, as well as a thicker texture. Depending on how much matcha you add to your drink and if you’re used to green tea, you may not even notice the difference. To me, it has a sweet grassy taste. I actually like this because it tastes healthy!
You can try different brands and types of matcha until you find one that suits your taste. You can also try experimenting with different ways of preparing matcha. There are many delicious matcha recipes that are perfect for trying out if you’re just getting into this delicious beverage.
See instructions below for how to make a simple and delicious matcha latte at home.
Benefits of consuming matcha
Matcha is packed with health benefits, including improved mental and physical performance, weight loss, and reduced risk of heart disease and certain cancers. It has been shown to have more antioxidants than standard green tea, thanks to its rich concentration of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). It is also a great source of caffeine, a natural performance enhancer. And thanks to its unique amino acid profile, it can also help battle stress, increase energy, and reduce the signs of aging. Many people have also claimed that Matcha helps to curb cravings and increase metabolism. Thanks to its large concentration of antioxidants, Matcha may also have a positive impact on your mental health.
Matcha has lots of antioxidants
Regular green tea is rich in antioxidants, but matcha is even richer. In fact, matcha contains around 3 times the amount of antioxidants found in other green teas. Green tea is rich in catechins, which are antioxidants that help prevent cell damage, reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve brain function. The antioxidants in matcha are more powerful than those found in other types of green tea because they’re not broken down during the fermentation process.
Matcha also has lots of vitamins and minerals
Apart from antioxidants, matcha is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), vitamin B2, iron, magnesium, and manganese.
Additional health benefits of matcha
If all that wasn’t enough, matcha actually has additional health benefits beyond those of other green teas. In fact, matcha is so much more potent than other types of green tea that it’s actually been called ‘green tea on steroids.’ Some research suggests that drinking matcha regularly may help decrease the risk of certain types of cancer, maintain healthy blood sugar levels, improve blood circulation, reduce the risk of heart disease, and even reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
There are different grades of matcha
The finest quality matcha is called “ceremonial grade”. It’s the highest quality and has the highest amount of antioxidants and comes from the first harvest of the year. Regular matcha and culinary (low-grade) matcha don’t have the same amount of antioxidants as ceremonial grade does. However, you can still get many benefits from drinking regular matcha.
Should I use regular or ceremonial grade matcha?
Ceremonial grade matcha is a type of matcha that is made using the highest quality tea leaves and is meant to be consumed in very small quantities. As a result, it is much more expensive than other types of matcha and is harder to find. Matcha with a higher concentration of nutrients and health benefits is often referred to as culinary grade matcha.
Culinary or regular matcha is made using less expensive ingredients and is designed to be consumed in large quantities. As a result, they are significantly less expensive than ceremonial grade matcha.
Ceremonial grade matcha is best for those who are looking for a high-end experience or who are looking to consume very small amounts of matcha. On the other hand, culinary grade matcha is better suited for those who are looking to add it to smoothies, tea lattes, and other foods on a regular basis.
A healthy caffeine fix
Matcha is a tasty, healthy alternative to coffee, and it comes with many benefits. It’s rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins, iron and catechins, which are nutrients that help prevent cell damage and improve brain function. Matcha may even help improve athletic performance, promote weight loss and reduce the risk of heart disease. So next time you’re craving a coffee break, swap it for a matcha break and reap the benefits.
How to make a matcha latte at home
A lot of cafes and coffee shops make matcha lattes. This is how I prefer to drink mine too – made with almond or oat milk and a little bit of maple syrup. You can also make it at home using these instructions:
Mix a small amount of matcha – start with ¼ teaspoon if you haven’t had it before – with 1 cup of warmed milk. Add some maple syrup – and you’re good to go!
How to make a SIMPLE matcha latte
Making a matcha latte at home is easy. But, you can make it even simpler – as in you don’t need to stand around in the kitchen while you warm milk on the stove – you can put the matcha and milk in an electric frother that also warms the milk.
All you need to do is pop the ingredients into the machine, press a button, and it’s blended beautifully while being heated to the perfect temperature. And you’ve given yourself an extra couple of minutes to get other things done.
To make the perfect simple matcha latte use this electric milk frother and this culinary grade matcha.
Or, if you’d like to go high-end and make ceremonial grade matcha, try this beautiful 3-piece set.
This post was everything you need to know about matcha. Yes, it has caffeine and yes it is good for you!
I would love to know if you’ve tried matcha and what is your favourite way of having it? Let me know in the comments below.
