Let's be clear: we're not anti-coffee. Coffee is wonderful. But a lot of our customers come to matcha for the same reason we did — they love the energy, they just don't love the 3 p.m. crash, the racing heart, or the restless afternoon. If that's you, matcha might become your new favorite ritual.
The caffeine, side by side
A cup of matcha has roughly 60–70 mg of caffeine. A cup of drip coffee has about 95 mg. So matcha gives you a real lift — just a gentler one. But the amount isn't the whole story. It's how that caffeine is delivered.
The calm-energy secret: L-theanine
Matcha naturally contains L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxed alertness. When L-theanine and caffeine work together, they smooth each other out — you get focus without the jitters, and the energy fades gradually instead of dropping off a cliff. Coffee, with little to no L-theanine, tends to hit fast and leave faster.
Think of coffee as a light switch and matcha as a sunrise — same brightness, gentler on the way up and down.
Matcha vs coffee, at a glance
- Caffeine: matcha ~60–70 mg · coffee ~95 mg per cup
- The feeling: matcha = calm, sustained focus · coffee = fast, sharp lift
- The crash: matcha, rarely · coffee, common for many people
- Antioxidants: matcha delivers whole-leaf catechins (EGCG) in every cup
- On an empty stomach: matcha is usually gentler and less acidic
How to make the perfect cup of matcha
Great matcha is easy — the two secrets are sifting (no clumps) and water that isn't boiling (too hot makes it bitter). Here's our go-to method:
- Sift 1–2 teaspoons of matcha into your cup or a bowl.
- Add about 2 oz of hot water — around 175°F (80°C). If you don't have a thermometer, let boiled water sit for two minutes.
- Whisk briskly in a zig-zag "W" motion for 15–20 seconds, until a fine foam forms on top.
- Finish: sip it straight, or pour it over cold milk and ice for a latte. Add a touch of honey or syrup if you like.
Make it an iced matcha latte
Whisk your matcha with a splash of hot water first, fill a glass with ice, pour in your milk of choice, then top with the matcha and stir. Our Latte Blend and Iced Matcha Blend are made exactly for this — smooth through any milk, hot or cold.
No whisk? No problem
A traditional bamboo whisk (chasen) makes the frothiest cup, and our Matcha Starter Kit comes with one. But in a pinch, a small handheld frother or a lidded jar you can shake hard will get you smooth, clump-free matcha too.
Is matcha healthier than coffee?
Neither is "unhealthy." Matcha offers whole-leaf antioxidants and a calmer caffeine curve thanks to L-theanine, which many people find easier on their stomach and their afternoon. The best choice is the one your body feels good with.
Can I drink matcha every day?
For most healthy adults, 1–2 cups a day is a great daily habit. Just keep an eye on your total caffeine, especially if you're sensitive to it.
This article is for general information only and isn't medical advice. Matcha contains caffeine; if you're pregnant, nursing, or managing a health condition, check with a healthcare professional.