The Best Superfood Coffee Alternative To Start Your Day
Are you a diehard coffee drinker?
If so, you’re not alone – 83% of adults in America sip the inky brew, making it the mainstream morning beverage of choice.
Coffee has proven health benefits, but how does it compare to matcha benefits? With less marketing muscle and a shorter history in the Western world, matcha may be the underdog in the fight. But when you weigh the pros, cons, and nutritional profile, even ardent coffee drinkers will have to admit that matcha makes quite a case to be the next big thing.
Let’s start by looking at the advantages of Coffee Benefits over Matcha Benefits:
- Coffee is easier to find. Coffee shops seem to be everywhere, making espresso drinks readily accessible. While some coffee shops (including Starbucks) sell beverages made with matcha, it is sometimes harder to find than your average cup of Joe.
- Coffee can be less expensive. If you’re brewing a cup of standard ground coffee at home, it will often be slightldy cheaper than a cup of premium matcha. But if you are shelling out for a $4 matcha frappuccino, the tables are turned and matcha becomes the more economical option.
Now let’s examine Matcha Benefits over Coffee Benefits:
- Matcha contains L-Theanine, an amino acid that helps your body to process caffeine differently and create a state of calm alertness. While one serving of matcha has much less caffeine than coffee, it provides a less jittery, more sustained energy boost – with no crash at the end. L-Theanine also improves focus and helps you concentrate.
- Matcha features much higher levels of antioxidants, which protect against disease and aging. At 1573 ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) units per serving, it’s one of the very best sources of antioxidants in the world.
- Matcha helps boost metabolism and burns fat by increasing thermogenesis (up to 40%), the rate at which your body burns calories.
- Matcha contains catechins, a unique type of antioxidant with potent cancer-fighting properties.
- Matcha is easier to make. No fancy French press, steam machine or appliance is required.
- Matcha provides fiber and nutrients that coffee does not, including chlorophyll, vitamin A and vitamin C.
- No coffee breath. Enough said.
You’ve heard the pros and cons – now take a look at the hard data on matcha vs. coffee:
Nutrients Per Serving | Matcha (1 gram) | Coffee (4 grams) |
Calories | 2.76 cal | 0 cal |
ORAC | 1573 units | 0 units |
Caffeine | 34 mg | 60 mg |
Amino Acids | 44.70 mg | 0 mg |
L-Theanine | 16.84 mg | 0 mg |
Polyphenols (Tannins) | 99 mg | 250 mg |
Catechins | 134 mg | 0 mg |
Protein | 274 mg | 300 mg |
Fiber | 314 mg | 0 mg |
Iron | 0.13 mg | 0.3 mg |
Calcium | 3.23 mg | 3 mg |
Potassium | 20.5 mg | 97.5 mg |
Vitamin C | 1.85 mg | 0 mg |
Vitamin A | 0.325 mg | 0 mg |
Here’s what former coffee drinkers (new to matcha) are saying:
You ROCK, Epic Matcha!!
By Kelly A. Connery on April 14, 2016
This is the BEST tea EVER! I’ve been drinking it in place of my coffee and I actually prefer it now. It’s very smooth and makes the best latte.
Received my Epic Matcha Green Tea.
By Beverly Watsonon on January 15, 2016
Flavor: Japanese Culinary | Grade Size: 4oz | Verified Purchase
Just made a matcha latte for my sisters and myself. It is delicious and has a smooth taste not bitter at all. If your looking for a coffee replacement try this green tea. Can’t wait to try the other recipes in their free download. Received a personalized hand written letter from the company. What a nice touch. Will definitely be buying from them again. #EpicMatcha
Makes yummy lattes.
By amanda blodgett on December 17, 2015
Flavor: Japanese Culinary | Grade Size: 4oz | Verified Purchase
Deliciousness! I bend with steamed cashew milk every morning and have completely replaced my morning coffee with it 🙂
New Matcha Drinker
By A. Burton on November 3, 2015
Flavor: Japanese Culinary | Grade Size: 4oz | Verified Purchase
New Matcha Drinker – I am an avid cooking show watcher and recently Matcha has been frequenting my television screen.I used to drink coffee every single morning- sometimes two cups. With Matcha, I have replaced coffee completely with one cup (two of the day is crazy) and only a tiny little scoop out of this huge supply.
About the product:
The smell is like green tea but a tad more earthy. The taste, to me, is like green tea without milk or sugar. It does have a little tinge of a bitter effect at the end but I found that whisking it before the end has reduced this characteristic. From what I have read, the bitterness will come with any culinary grade matcha- it is not something that should deter your purchase in my opinion. I have not baked with matcha yet but will be experimenting with it for Christmas cookies.
Overall, I gave this product a 5 out of 5 for taste, smell, packaging/presentation, and for quality. If you’re looking for a matcha starter, I would highly recommend this brand.
Great product from a small company ran by good people.
By Erin CP on October 28, 2015
Flavor: Culinary | Grade Size: 4oz | Verified Purchase
I am very happy with this matcha and I have recommended it to all of my friends. I add it to my shakes and it gives me good energy without the crash I get with coffee, etc. Tastes good and the company has exemplary customer service.
This is great stuff!
By Ethan on October 17, 2015
Flavor: Japanese Culinary | Grade Size: 4oz | Verified Purchase
I gave up coffee after realizing how many cups I was drinking a day, too many! So I switched to Epic Matcha Green tea and immediatly started feeling better without any caffeine crashes or headaches along with a better mood and a very noticable amount of fat loss after drinking it a couple times a day for a few weeks. Highly recommended!
Ready to experience the steady energy of matcha?
Order your 100% Organic Matcha Green tea, with a 60-Day Unconditional Money-Back Guarantee and experience the ancient superfood for yourself.