More of a coffee - espresso or matcha latte team? Coffee tiramisu or matcha tea cake? Between the two, our heart sways. With coffee on the one hand, the third most consumed drink by the French (after water and juices), and matcha tea on the other, very trendy, which is gaining more and more followers. Especially since matcha and coffee can also be mixed. In Paris, there is no shortage of establishments offering original recipes mixing the two ingredients. But there's no need to go anywhere, Kusmi helps you make your choice if you want to drink your drink at home.
Discover our organic matcha tea Kusmi Tea!
1/ The omnipresence of coffee VS the originality of matcha
Would you like a little coffee? The "little black" or "kawa", as it is sometimes called, has managed to make its way into our daily schedule. More than eight out of ten French people drink coffee every day (83%), sometimes even several times a day (for 62% of them). In comparison, the consumption of matcha is much more confidential. Initially adopted by connoisseurs of Japan, who sometimes discovered it on their travels, matcha tea is becoming more and more widely known, particularly thanks to the pastry industry, which loves its bitter, vegetal taste and its incredible emerald green colour. Offering a matcha to a friend who is passing by is sure to be much more original!
2/ The taste of coffee VS the taste of matcha
Matcha is characterised by a unique vegetal taste in the mouth, and by a bitterness, which must remain light. To prevent it from being too pronounced, you should opt for ceremonial matcha tea (which is different from cooking matcha tea). When the balance between vegetality and bitterness is achieved, it is called an "umami" taste, a Japanese term for a long-lasting, 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 variations have been developed to make it taste sweeter: sweet coffee, café au lait, Viennese coffee, cappuccino...
3/ The energising effect of coffee VS the stimulating effect of matcha
As an energising drink, coffee has a temporary invigorating effect which is followed by a "downturn" about two hours later. Matcha has a similar effect, but its stimulating action lasts longer. 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 "boosting" effect is more intense than that of other teas, this is due to the fact that matcha is ingested, whereas only the infusions of other teas are drunk. Finally, matcha tea does not have some of the side effects of coffee: increased blood pressure, heart rate, sour stomach, yellow teeth... Thus, matcha appears to be a good alternative to coffee, for those who seek to reduce their consumption. Although coffee contains more caffeine/theine than matcha, the latter will keep you awake and focused for longer.
4/ The price of coffee VS the price of matcha
Matcha tea is more expensive on average than coffee. This is mainly due to the place of production. The green tea leaves used for matcha tea are grown, picked and crushed in Japan, one of the most labour intensive countries in the world. This makes matcha tea a rare, prized and expensive drink. You can expect to pay around €100 per kilo for matcha for cooking, and €300 to €500 per kilo for matcha for tasting. In contrast, coffee is grown and produced in developing countries in South America, Africa and Asia at lower wage costs. Depending on the variety, the country, the evolution of market prices, the choice of organic or fair trade coffee, the prices can vary. As a general rule, we are talking about an average range of 15 €/kg for ground coffee and 45 €/kg for coffee in pods.
To find out why matcha tea is so expensive, read our article on the subject.
5/ The benefits of coffee VS the benefits of matcha tea
Coffee is a natural energiser with proven anti-cancer properties. Its consumption also limits the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Matcha tea is a concentrate of antioxidants (it contains many more than coffee!), but also of vitamins (A, C and E), trace elements (zinc, copper, iron, magnesium) and amino acids (about 20 times more than a classic green tea). Regular consumption of matcha slows down the ageing of cells, combats skin problems, stimulates the body's natural immunity and combats stress. It also has beneficial effects on the skin.
Read also: The health benefits of matcha tea.
6/ The ecological footprint of coffee VS the ecological footprint of matcha
Coffee and matcha tea come from far away and are not produced locally. They travel millions of kilometres before landing in our mugs. That's why we recommend that you opt for organically grown coffee and tea. This is the case at Kusmi. The idea is to avoid that, in addition to transportation, the cultivated land is sprayed with pesticides, while protecting your health. For tea, we recommend that you opt for loose tea, which is more ecological. As for coffee, you should ideally ban pods (or fill your own reusable pods), as they are often not recycled or only partially.
7/ Why choose? Opt for a coffee and matcha recipe
This recipe will delight coffee and matcha lovers! You can enjoy it iced or hot. All you need is coffee, matcha tea powder and milk (cow's milk or oat milk). For the sweet version, you can add cane sugar. For the iced version, you will need ice cubes. Pour the coffee into an espresso cup, add the matcha tea powder and milk and stir. To read the recipe in detail, click here.
Whether you choose a matcha or a coffee, both drinks will go very well with your pastries or your breakfasts.
Also read on the same theme:
Our matcha latte recipe with coconut
Our matcha latte recipe with chai
Is blue matcha really matcha tea?
Does matcha tea help you lose weight?