There’s no denying that starting the day with a cup of coffee is practically a sacred ritual for millions of people. Yet, this short-lived infusion of caffeine comes at a cost of bad breath and jitters that make it hard to focus. Now, some people are seeking out a better way to boost their energy, by drinking matcha tea instead.
Why should you consider switching out your morning joe for this jewel-toned drink? Keep reading to learn why.
What is Matcha?
Having originated in Japan, matcha is a nutrient-rich green tea with a sweet, earthy flavor. Unlike other teas that are simply steeped in water and tossed out, matcha leaves are ground into a fine powder and dissolved into the water, forming a jade green, frothy drink.
Matcha leaves are harvested from shade grown plants, meaning that they lack the bitterness of other green teas. Each cup of matcha contains an impressive 25 grams of caffeine, making it an easy way to revive your energy. In traditional Japanese culture, Buddhist monks carefully tended to their precious tea trees and drank matcha daily to keep them alert and focused throughout their afternoon meditations.
What’s Wrong with Coffee?
As hard as it might be to consider going through a day without your coffee cup by your side, this dark-hued drink isn’t doing your body many favors. Below are some of the biggest negatives of relying on coffee for your caffeine.
Damaging to Skin
Coffee is a diuretic, meaning it pulls hydration directly from your skin, leaving you looking as dried out as you’ll feel.
Quick-Acting Caffeine
Your body is shockingly sensitive to the caffeine in coffee, meaning that it spikes your energy level to uncomfortable levels within minutes. Just an hour to two later, this same energy level will come crashing down, leaving you in a slump of exhaustion that will leave you reaching for the coffee pot.
Lower Productivity
Strange but true, drinking too much coffee leaves your heart racing and your mind tossing and turning, which ruins your ability to focus and can even prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep.
The dismal truth behind coffee is hard to deny. Though millions turn to it as a way to keep up their energy and focus throughout the day, coffee actually dries us out, revs us up and causes energy levels to come crashing down just as quickly.
Thankfully, there’s a way to experience the benefits of caffeine without all the downsides; turning to matcha instead. Switch out your coffee habit for tea, and you’ll be amazed at the difference in your day.
The Advantages of Matcha
Green tea has long been synonymous with health, but matcha clearly stands out from the rest. Below are the biggest benefits from this bright green tea.
Long Lasting Caffeine
There’s nothing wrong with waking up with caffeine, but the problem comes from drinking more than your body can handle. At 25 grams of caffeine per cup, matcha has half the caffeine content of coffee. Unlike coffee, though, matcha contains the amino acid L-Theanine, which completely changes the way your body processes caffeine. Rather than absorbing quickly into your bloodstream, L-Theanine releases caffeine slowly over hours, which gives you a sustained energy boost without the jitters.
Easy to Make
Despite the confusion of dealing with a powdered tea, matcha is surprisingly easy to make and can be mixed into a wide variety of recipes, including smoothies, baked goods and more. Best of all, there aren’t any used grounds or filters to take care of afterward.
Body-Benefiting Nutrients
Because each cup of matcha contains the entire tea leaf, the drink is full of levels of nutrients not found in other kinds of tea. In fact, drink a cup of matcha provides your body with catechins, flavonoids, and polyphenols, as well as 314 mg of fiber and healthy servings of vitamins A and C.
It’s also easy to boost the health benefits of matcha by making it with alkaline water. Not only does this lower the pH level of the tea itself, it boosts the flavor profile so you can better taste its complexity. Finally, no other drink can compare to matcha when it comes to antioxidants. Each serving contains a hefty 70 times the amount found in the equivalent of orange juice.
Which One is Right for You?
There’s no reason to give up your caffeine addiction simply because coffee leaves much to be desired. By switching over to matcha tea instead, you’ll enjoy sustained energy and improved focus all day long, no jitters included.
