Introduction: why people are switching
Many people love the taste and ritual of coffee, but do not love what comes after: racing heart, jittery hands, anxiety spikes and a hard crash a couple of hours later. If that sounds familiar, matcha often appears as the “gentler” alternative that promises calm focus rather than wired stress.
So is matcha actually better than coffee, or is it just another wellness trend with good branding and bad science?
In this article we will unpack what the evidence really shows, and where the hype goes beyond the data.
What you will learn:
- How matcha and coffee are made and why that matters
- How much caffeine is actually in a typical cup of each
- Why matcha often feels smoother and less “jittery” than coffee
- What the science says on heart health, brain function and longevity
- How to switch from coffee to matcha without shocking your system
How matcha and coffee are made and why that matters
Matcha in one sentence
Matcha is a Japanese green tea made by grinding shade grown tea leaves into a fine powder, then whisking that powder into water so you drink the whole leaf, not just an infusion.
Because you ingest the entire leaf, you take in more caffeine, more polyphenols and more fiber than with a standard green tea.
Discover our full Tea & Infusions collection and find your next calming cup.
Coffee in one sentence
Coffee is brewed from roasted coffee beans. Ground beans are infused in hot water and then removed, so you drink an extract of the bean, not the whole plant.
Both drinks are plant based, rich in bioactive compounds and centered around caffeine, but their chemistry and how your body experiences them are quite different.
How much caffeine is actually in a typical cup of each
Caffeine is usually the first thing people care about.
- A standard 8 ounce (about 240 ml) cup of brewed coffee typically contains around 95 to 100 mg of caffeine, though depending on the beans and brew method it can be higher.
- Matcha contains roughly 19 to 44 mg of caffeine per gram of powder. A usual serving of 2 grams therefore provides about 38 to 88 mg of caffeine, sometimes more if you use a heaped teaspoon.
So in practice:
- A moderate matcha made with 1.5 grams might be a little lower in caffeine than a typical coffee.
- A strong matcha made with 3 to 4 grams can rival or exceed some coffees.
The key point: matcha is not “low caffeine”. It is a high caffeine drink, but the experience of that caffeine is shaped by other compounds in the tea.
Why matcha feels different: L-theanine and “calm focus”
a leaves naturally contain an amino acid called L-theanine. It is higher in shade grown Japanese teas such as matcha.
Studies suggest that L-theanine can:
- increase alpha brain waves associated with relaxed alertness
- reduce self reported stress and anxiety scores in some people
- improve aspects of attention when combined with caffeine
When you drink matcha, the combination of caffeine and L-theanine seems to produce a more even, focused stimulation compared with coffee, which delivers caffeine without that same amino acid profile.
Early human studies on matcha itself (rather than generic green tea) hint that regular intake may improve aspects of mood, emotional processing and sleep quality in older adults with mild cognitive decline.
This does not mean matcha is a sedative or an anti anxiety treatment, but it helps explain why people often describe it as “calm energy” rather than a spike and crash.
Health comparison: matcha vs coffee
- Coffee:
- Well-studied.
- Associated with long-term heart, metabolic and cognitive benefits in large population studies.
- Can cause jitters, anxiety, digestive upset or sleep issues in some people.
- Matcha:
- Less long-term research, but early evidence (and green tea studies) suggest benefits for focus, stress, antioxidant intake and vascular support.
- Often better tolerated for those sensitive to coffee.
- Contains caffeine + L-theanine for smoother stimulation.
Straightforward conclusion:
Coffee currently has more proven long-term health data, but matcha offers a uniquely calm, steady energy that many people prefer — especially if coffee causes anxiety or crashes.
So… is matcha better than coffee?
Matcha is probably better if:
- Coffee gives you anxiety, tremors, or a racing heart
- You want a smoother, more stable sense of focus
- You enjoy ritual and a slower, more mindful preparation
- You are already drinking a lot of coffee and want to reduce your total caffeine without feeling deprived
Here matcha’s combination of caffeine plus L-theanine, along with its green tea polyphenols, makes it a very appealing alternative.
You can learn more about Matcha and find Moya’s Premium blend here.
Coffee currently “wins” on:
- Depth of evidence for reduced mortality and cardiovascular risk
- Large scale data on diabetes and neurodegenerative disease
- Availability and price for most people
Bottom line
Coffee is heavily researched and generally beneficial for most adults.
Matcha is less studied but offers a gentler, more stable caffeine experience thanks to L-theanine and its concentrated green tea profile.
If coffee leaves you anxious, wired or exhausted, matcha is a genuinely strong alternative — especially as a mindful ritual.
And if you’re ready to make matcha part of your daily ritual, having the right tools can turn a simple cup into a small moment of calm.