1/ The omnipresence of coffee VS the originality of matcha
Would you like to have a little coffee? The “little black” or “kawa”, as he is sometimes nicknamed, has managed to find his way into our daily schedule. Thus, more than eight out of ten French people consume coffee every day (83%), sometimes even several times a day (62% of them). In comparison, the consumption of matcha is much more confidential. First adopted by connoisseurs of Japan, who sometimes discovered it while traveling, tea matcha is becoming more and more known, in particular thanks to pastries, which are popular for its taste, made of bitterness and vegetality, and its incredible emerald green color. Suggest a matcha to a passing friend, will certainly be much more original!
2/ The taste of coffee VS the taste of matcha
The matcha is characterized by a vegetal taste unique in the mouth, and by a bitterness, which must remain light. To prevent it from being too marked, you should opt for tea matcha ceremonial (which is distinguished from tea matcha kitchen). When the balance between vegetality and bitterness occurs, we speak of an “umami” taste, a Japanese term for a long-lasting and mild aftertaste. Strong and bitter, the taste for coffee is not spontaneous, but is cultivated (as with wine, the very first time is surprising!). Many variants have developed to make its taste milder: sweet coffee, coffee with milk, Viennese coffee, cappuccino, etc.
3/ The energizing effect of coffee VS the stimulating effect of matcha
An energy drink, coffee has a temporary invigorating effect which is followed by a “comedown” about two hours later. The matcha has a similar effect, but its stimulating action lasts longer. The matcha remains active in the body for 8 hours, and the theanine it contains is known to have a beneficial effect on memory and concentration. If its “shot” effect boost” is more intense than other teas, this is due to the fact that we ingest the matcha, while we only drink the infusions of other teas. Finally, tea matcha does not have certain side effects of coffee: increased blood pressure, heart rate, sour stomach, yellow teeth, etc. Thus, the matcha appears to be a good alternative to coffee, for those looking to reduce their consumption. Because if coffee contains more caffeine/theine than matcha, the latter will keep you awake and focused longer.
4/ The price of coffee VS the price of matcha
Tea matcha is more expensive on average than coffee. This is explained above all by the place of production. Green tea leaves, used for tea matcha are grown, collected and crushed in Japan, one of the most expensive countries in the world for labor. So, the tea matcha is a rare, popular and expensive drink. Count from around a hundred euros per kg for a matcha to use in cooking, then €300 to €500 per kilo for one matcha tasting. Conversely, coffee is grown and produced in developing countries in South America, Africa and Asia at lower wage costs. Depending on the varieties, the countries, the evolution of market prices, the choice of organic or fair trade coffee, prices may vary. As a general rule, we speak of an average range ranging from €15/kg for ground coffee and €45/kg for coffee pods.
To really know why tea matcha is expensive, read our article on the subject.
5/ The benefits of coffee VS the benefits of tea matcha
Coffee is a natural energizer with proven anti-cancer properties. Its consumption would also limit the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Tea matcha is a concentrate of antioxidants (it includes much more than coffee!), but also of vitamins (A, C and E), trace elements (zinc, copper, iron, magnesium) and amino acids (around 20 times more than for a classic green tea). Consume regularly matcha would slow down the aging of cells, fight against skin problems, stimulate the body's natural immunity and act against stress. He would also have beneficial effects on the skin.
Also read: The benefits of tea matcha on health
6/ The ecological footprint of coffee VS the ecological footprint of matcha
Coffee and tea matcha come from far away, are not produced locally. They travel millions of kilometers before landing in our mugs. This is why we recommend that you opt for organically grown coffee and tea. This is also the case at Kusmi. The idea is to prevent, in addition to transport, cultivated land from being sprayed with pesticides, while protecting your health. For tea, we recommend that you opt for bulk tea, which is more ecological. When it comes to coffee, you should ideally ban pods (or fill your own reusable pods), because very often they are little or nothing recycled.
7/ Why choose? Opt for a recipe based on coffee and matcha
This recipe will delight lovers of coffee and matcha ! You can enjoy it in an iced or hot version. For this, all you need is coffee, tea powder matcha and milk (cow or oat). For the sweet version, you can add cane sugar. For the frozen version, you will need ice cubes. Pour the coffee into an espresso-sized cup, add the tea powder matcha, milk and stir. To read the details of the recipe, click here.
Whether you opt for a matcha or a coffee, both drinks will go very well with your pastries or your breakfasts.