It’s a feeling many of us know well. That 10 a.m. meeting where you feel restless, or the 3 p.m. slump where you're staring at the clock, feeling your energy fade.
For many, this is the familiar daily rhythm of a morning coffee habit: a fast, high-impact jolt of energy that can sometimes leave you feeling "wired" or "jittery," followed by the inevitable afternoon crash.
But what if you could start your day differently? What if your morning routine could support you with sustained alertness, without that familiar spike and slump?
This is why many people are making a change. They're swapping their morning cup of coffee for a vibrant green bowl of matcha, trading a "frantic fix" for a "mindful ritual."
While both coffee and matcha contain caffeine, the way they are experienced is worlds apart. In this article, we are going to explore why so many are making this switch.
The Familiar Coffee Experience
The typical coffee experience is defined by its speed. The caffeine is delivered quickly into your system, which is why it's so effective at jolting you awake.
For many, however, this rapid jolt is a double-edged sword. It can be responsible for that familiar "jittery" feeling or sense of restlessness. Calm.com describe this feeling as "Maybe your heart feels a little jumpy, your focus is all over the place, and there’s a low-level buzz running through your body that’s not exactly helpful."
This is often followed by the "caffeine crash." When the fast-acting caffeine wears off a few hours later, many people report a sudden and intense feeling of tiredness, prompting them to reach for a second or third cup just to get through the day. It's a rollercoaster of energy spikes and slumps.
The Matcha Difference: A Unique Composition
Matcha offers a different experience, and the reason lies in its unique natural composition.
Matcha is a finely ground powder made from whole, shade-grown green tea leaves. This means that when you drink it, you are consuming the entire leaf. This unique profile includes two key compounds: caffeine and an amino acid called L-theanine (BBC).
1. Caffeine for Alertness
Like coffee, matcha is a source of caffeine. Caffeine is the compound responsible for that welcome boost in the morning.
When consumed in a serving of at least 75mg, caffeine is scientifically recognised on the UK's authorised claims register to provide two key benefits:
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Caffeine helps to improve alertness.
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Caffeine helps to improve concentration.
This is the "energy" part of the equation. It’s a reliable way to support your focus and feel more awake for the day ahead.
2. The L-Theanine Partnership
Here is what makes matcha so different from coffee. Alongside its caffeine, matcha naturally contains a high concentration of an amino acid called L-theanine.
L-theanine is found almost exclusively in the Camellia sinensis (tea) plant and is particularly abundant in shade-grown teas like matcha. According to sources, L-theanine is known to help improve relaxation, focus and sleep.
It is this unique combination of caffeine and L-theanine that makes matcha so prized. Matcha drinkers often describe the matcha experience as a "gentler" and "steadier" lift, one that allows them to feel alert and focused without the "wired" feeling they associate with coffee.
"Matcha, however, has a much “cleaner” caffeine high. The caffeine is released slowly, giving you a longer, smoother hit of energy. This is down to the amino acid L-Theanine, which reduces how quickly the body absorbs caffeine." (The Tea Makers of London)
From "Frantic Fix" to a "Mindful Morning Ritual"
Perhaps the most significant difference has less to do with the ingredients and more to do with the process.
Coffee is often a frantic fix. We grab it in a takeaway cup, gulp it down while checking emails, or brew it in a machine with the press of a button. The process is rushed and thoughtless.
Matcha is a mindful ritual.
The traditional preparation involves a bamboo whisk (chasen), a bowl (chawan), and the simple, rhythmic act of whisking the vibrant green powder into a frothy liquid. This two-minute process is an invitation to slow down.
You have to be present. You focus on the colour, the aroma, and the simple motion of your hands. This act of preparation becomes a form of meditation in itself, a moment of calm to ground you before the day's demands begin.
This is precisely why Zen Buddhist monks have used matcha in their ceremonies for centuries. It was the perfect partner for long periods of seated meditation, allowing them to remain present and focused. For the modern professional, this translates into starting the day with a clear head, having set a calm, positive tone with a simple act of self-care.
A Whole-Leaf Wonder
When you brew a cup of coffee or a regular bag of green tea, you are drinking an infusion. The hot water extracts some of the flavours and compounds, but the grounds or leaves themselves are thrown away.
With matcha, you are ingesting the entire, stone-ground tea leaf.
This means you are consuming 100% of the leaf's natural compounds. This includes its plant-based goodness, such as its rich supply of catechins, a type of polyphenol. One of the most-studied catechins in green tea is EGCg (epigallocatechin gallate) which according to Healthline, may help anti inflammatory benefits.
By consuming the whole leaf, you are getting all the plant-based goodness the tea plant has to offer, just as nature intended.
How to Make the Switch
Ready to change your morning rhythm? Here are a few practical tips to make the transition a smooth and enjoyable one:
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Don't Go Cold Turkey: If you're a heavy coffee drinker, quitting abruptly can be a shock. Start by replacing your second cup of coffee with a matcha, or try alternating days as your body adjusts.
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Mind the Time: Matcha still contains caffeine. To ensure it doesn't interfere with your rest, enjoy it in the morning or early afternoon, just as you would with coffee.
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Quality is Everything: Your first matcha experience will define your relationship with it. A low-quality, dull, or bitter-tasting culinary-grade matcha will be an unpleasant one.
For the best flavour, a vibrant green colour, and a smooth, rich experience, you must choose a high-quality matcha.
The Verdict: A New Way to Start Your Day
The switch from coffee to matcha isn't about giving up something; it's about gaining something new.
It’s a conscious choice to move from a frantic rush to a mindful moment. It's about choosing a routine that supports your concentration and alertness, all while setting a steady, positive tone for the day ahead.
You're not just changing your morning drink. You're transforming your morning.