Coffee plays an important role throughout the United States, as well as the world. Not only is it delicious, but it’s become a part of our routine to drink it in the morning or during special moments with our loved ones. You may have noticed, however, that more and more people are trading in their morning coffee for an iced or hot matcha tea. This beverage is now trending in the world of caffeinated drinks, so it’s only natural if your interest has peaked as well. But what exactly is matcha tea and how does it compare to your favorite cup of morning coffee?
What Is Matcha Tea?
By now, we’ve all seen this green beverage in almost every coffee shop, but many of us don’t know what it actually is. Matcha is a special form of green tea, but it’s quite different from the green tea that most of us are familiar with. Regular green tea is made by infusing the leaves with hot water, and then discarding the leaves. Matcha, on the other hand, consists of the actual leaves. Rather than discarding them, they are finely ground and mixed with hot water, giving it a stronger flavor and even better health benefits.
Although matcha tea is just now becoming known throughout the United States, it has been used for centuries in China and Japan. Now that it’s reached the United States, it’s becoming more popular by the day. To understand how it compares to coffee, keep reading.
Matcha Tea vs Coffee
Similarities
When comparing plain matcha tea with black coffee, their nutrition is very similar. Black coffee has about 2 calories, while matcha has around 5. Neither of them have any sugar or fiber, and although coffee doesn’t have any carbohydrates, matcha has only 1 gram. This means that both options are healthy and a great resource for those wanting to lose weight.
In addition, both beverages have many health benefits, such as enhanced mood and brain function, improved liver and heart health, and they’re both filled with cancer-fighting antioxidants. Even more, both are delicious and contain caffeine, although their taste and caffeine content differ.
Differences
Although both beverages contain caffeine, they affect your body in a different way. As many of you know, coffee gives you that quick boost of energy that sometimes you desperately need. Since your body quickly reacts to it, it also means that it wears off suddenly, sometimes leaving you more tired than you were before. This differs from matcha, as the caffeine from matcha is brought on gradually. This means you can feel the boost of energy, without the jittery feelings that are induced by too many espresso shots. So, although matcha contains about a third of the caffeine content as coffee, the L-theanine that it contains allows you to store the caffeine in your body and release it slowly. Whether you like the quick fix of coffee, or the slow release of energy that matcha tea offers, is completely up to you.
And of course, another distinct difference between these two beverages is the taste. Coffee lovers know and love the strong, slightly bitter taste of coffee. Depending on the brew, it may even have chocolate, floral, fruity, or nutty notes. Matcha, on the other hand, can be described as earthy with grassy notes and a bit of sweetness.
Which Is Better?
There really is no right or wrong answer to this, as everyone has their own preference. What we do know is that when made right, both are a great way to get a boost of caffeine. Besides that, both drinks can be customized to your liking, whether with cream or your favorite sweeteners and additives. If you’re curious about switching your cup of coffee for a matcha tea, or you just want to stick to your go-to cappuccino, we’ll gladly serve you at Pax & Beneficia.
