At Klatch Coffee, our first and true love is for specialty coffee - sourced from the best producers, all roasted and brewed using our signature peak of flavor method. But we also love keeping things fresh and interesting, which is why we serve both hot and cold beverages based on Matcha at our SoCal cafe locations.
If you're a coffee drinker who is curious about Matcha, here are some thoughts on why you might want to give it a try to complement your favorite coffees:
What is Matcha, exactly?
Matcha is a green tea in powder form. More specifically, Matcha originates in Japan, and unlike some other tea leaves, is typically grown in the shade. The best Matcha is typically a bright green color which gives Matcha lattes or your cup of tea a distinctive look.
Does Matcha contain caffeine?
Yes, Matcha contains caffeine. Most Matcha is lower in caffeine compared with coffee, however, note that Matcha has more caffeine than other green teas. Unlike other teas, with Matcha you're actually consuming the leaves themselves, which are highly concentrated, yielding more caffeine in your drink.
How are coffee and Matcha similar?
Coffee and Matcha both contain caffeine, and they both come from a plant. They also both contain minimal calories - not zero, but low enough to be negligible. The calorie content when you consume coffee or Matcha largely comes from milk, syrups, or other flavors that you choose to add.
The caffeine content in your cup of coffee can vary wildly based on the beans used and the brewing method you select. Similarly, the caffeine content in Matcha also varies, depening on the grade of Matcha.
What are the differences between coffee and Matcha?
You're probably aware that there is quite a bit of variety in the coffee plant - with geography, weather, processing method, and roasting all contributing to different flavors. Matcha, in contrast, tends to have a consistently more earthy flavor, with mouthfeel varying a bit based on the quality.
Caffeine in Matcha can absorb into the body more slowly compared with caffeine from coffee, so that's something to keep in mind if you're looking for a quick pick-me-up. You might expect to notice caffeine from coffee in as little as 15 minutes, while Matcha could take twice as long.
Matcha comes in different grades which can be more or less expensive, but generally, Matcha is more expensive compared with coffee.
Which beverages are good for those new to Matcha?
If you're accustomed to the flavor and mouthfeel of coffee, Matcha can be a new and acquired taste. Consider starting with a latte made with Matcha. The milk, or your favorite non-dairy alternative (Milkadamia, Soy, Oat, etc.) will provide flavors and mouthfeel that is already familiar to you if you enjoy a latte made with espresso.
Just as with a latte made with espresso, you can sweeten a Matcha latte with your favorite sweetener or syrup if desired. This is a friendly and accessible way to start enjoying Matcha.
Store Matcha correctly
As with high-quality coffee beans, Matcha benefits from being stored in a manner that protects the quality and freshness. Keep Matcha in a cool, dry place, away from sources of heat and light - just like you would with coffee beans.
Does Matcha have health benefits?
Per Harvard Medical School, Matcha has antioxidants (including polyphenols such as catechins) and phytochemicals (such as chlorophyll and quercetin) which can help guard against inflammation in the body. There is also some evidence that these compounds can contribute to lower blood pressure and lower "bad" cholesterol. Matcha can also be a good source of vitamin C, and Matcha provides Zinc and Magnesium too.
Finally, as with coffee, the caffeine in Matcha can also provide a boost in physical and mental performance, mood, and alertness.
(Always talk to your doctor before changing your diet or exercise routine.)
