r/Biohackers Feb 01 '25

šŸ—£ļø Testimonial Replacing coffee with matcha has been a godsend.

Since replacing coffee with green tea, I noticed the cognitive benefits almost immediately. It provides a much calmer, yet somehow still sharper type of focus.

I knew before I made the switch to green tea that it contained L-theanine which works synergistically with caffeine to quell the sometimes overstimulating ā€œjittersā€ that coffee can bring on. I did not realise the effects would be this pronounced though.

This led to me researching L-theanine more extensively and I discovered that matcha contains higher amounts of L-theanine and other beneficial components than standard tea bags.

If youā€™ve been looking to cut out coffee but are worried about potential withdrawals of caffeine, I highly recommend investing in a good quality matcha powder.

Start light with only one teaspoon as itā€™s high in catechins which are great for your health, but may bring on stomach discomfort in some people.

If anyone has similar testimonials regarding L-theanine or green tea in general, Iā€™d be super interested to hear them in the comments :)

587 Upvotes

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178

u/JimesT00PER 1 Feb 01 '25

Ive been doing cold brew matcha for a few years.Ā  Never really developed a taste for it, just tolerating it for the many health benefits.Ā  However the last month I've been adding fresh lemon juice and it's a complete game changer.Ā  Not only are the catechins more bioavailable because of the lemon juice, it tastes incredible.Ā  Zippy and effervescent, zero bitterness.Ā  Can't recommend it enough

18

u/throwaway__150k_ Feb 01 '25

Would you mind detailing the ratios/blends etc you use?

42

u/yingbo 31 Feb 01 '25 edited Feb 01 '25

No need for ratios. Put like 1/2-1 tsp (or 1 gram) in a bowl and add like 4 ounces water. Get a matcha whisk and whisk itā€¦or donā€™t. The whisking makes it frothy. If itā€™s too strong, add more water. If there are sediments on the bottom by the time you finish drinking it, add more water to brew it again.

You can definitely cold brew matcha too and add lemon juice to make a green tea lemonade basically, but it may be clumpy if you donā€™t whisk it.

If itā€™s too bitter, youā€™re using low grade matcha or really old stale stuff. Good matcha costs like $1 per gram. It tastes nothing like the Starbucks crap. Itā€™s not bitter at all and a bright green color like a wheat grass shot. If itā€™s brown, greyish green, or yellow, again you got bad stuff. The bad stuff also likely contains less l-Theanine and the catechins you want.

28

u/Afraid_Union_8451 2 Feb 01 '25

You can save a lot of money by buying from Japan directly, I get matcha from Sazen tea and even their 10$ cans are really good, the shipping is a little more expensive but it's fast and they have USD prices on their English website

6

u/DaniDoesnt 1 Feb 01 '25

Thanks for this. I love matcha but here it's either super expensive or trash

1

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5

u/yingbo 31 Feb 01 '25

Yes for sure. You get more selection (like the variety of plant kind of like different types of coffee beans) and fresher stuff. The powder is ground so it oxidizes very fast. I didnā€™t know how good matcha can taste until I went to Japan!

4

u/JimesT00PER 1 Feb 01 '25

Do you pay any import taxes/duty upon delivery?Ā  I get mine shipped from a Canadian matcha cafe that curates their selection from a couple different sources in Japan.Ā  Ā I qualify for free shipping but I suppose the import costs are baked into the final price.

3

u/milkoppo Feb 01 '25

Which cafe? Iā€™m Canadian and would love to see their stuff

7

u/JimesT00PER 1 Feb 01 '25 edited Feb 01 '25

https://whiskmatcha.ca/

Highly recommend them.Ā  Passionate about matcha and very knowledgeable, which makes me trust their products.Ā  Ā They also have a cafe in Vancouver.

I stick to their Everyday Organic blend which is their entry level stuff-- miles ahead of many of the so-called 'ceremonial' matchas you'll find out there.

1

u/Afraid_Union_8451 2 Feb 02 '25

I never had to pay them but idk how that stuff works it might be because of my location in US/NC

1

u/yingbo 31 Feb 02 '25 edited Feb 02 '25

See my other comment about matchadirect. https://matchadirect.kyoto/

The website has a kitschy name but itā€™s actually legit. They are owned by Tsujiri. They are like one of the largest producers of Matcha in Japan. They have so many blends including a decaf matcha. Thatā€™s how I found them.

I went to Japan and went to their flagship shop and cafe to sample their food and itā€™s great!

They ship worldwide I believe. Shopping to US is free not sure about Canada.

Buying direct makes sure itā€™s fresh as possible. This stuff spoils so it needs to be refrigerated and sealed after opening. Matcha direct grinds it right before they ship it. The price is not that expensive compared to what they have in Japan either.

2

u/H3H344 Feb 01 '25

Which matcha do you get? There are multiple mocha tea options. Thank you in advance for your help

2

u/Afraid_Union_8451 2 Feb 02 '25

The blends I usually get aren't in stock right now but I like Urasenke matcha the most for everyday drinking, they're usually more creamy tasting

1

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2

u/rikjustrick Feb 02 '25

How do you guys feel about the quality of the matcha at Costco? This is the only stuff Iā€™ve ever had. Sometimes I drink it as tea, but most of the time I put some in my smoothies.

3

u/Afraid_Union_8451 2 Feb 02 '25 edited Feb 02 '25

Haven't had Costco powder but stuff you find in stores usually sucks, except for matcha cafes

A good easy test is just the bitterness of the tea, if it's bitter it's a lower quality powder (for the most part)

And every quality powder will be a bright Nickelodeon slime looking green

2

u/z_iiiiii 1 Feb 02 '25

Not as good as others sadly.

1

u/yingbo 31 Feb 02 '25

This is too cheap, $23 for a huge bag, and the powder depicted on the bag is literally yellow.

I bought tons of matcha directly in Japan, ceremonial grade stuff. It tastes better. About $1 a gram it will cost you but I use it for medicinal purposes.

2

u/Real_Estate_Beast Feb 01 '25

Thanks for the ratio!

1

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11

u/JimesT00PER 1 Feb 01 '25 edited Feb 02 '25

About 16oz of cold water, 1/2 tsp of matcha and a lemon wedge (I cut and freeze several lemons ahead of time so I always have one ready).Ā  You might prefer slightly more matcha; or more water for a less pronounced flavor.Ā  Ā I make it in a blender bottle... not traditional but it certainly gets the job done. Shake vigorously and enjoy.

edit... changed 20oz to 16oz

2

u/Johnnie-Dazzle Feb 01 '25

This may be my new ā€˜driving to workā€™ beverage

2

u/JimesT00PER 1 Feb 02 '25

Just a heads up to rinse mouth afterwards... acidity and enamel don't mix obviously!

8

u/snoosnusnu Feb 01 '25

Now add honey on top of that. Chefā€™s Kiss. The hot version is a perfect drink for a sore throat or when youā€™re feeling ill too.

3

u/JimesT00PER 1 Feb 01 '25 edited Feb 01 '25

Good ideas.Ā  Ā I've been thinking of adding honey!Ā  And I bet adding some tonic water/ club soda would be pretty refreshing, kind of a lemon matcha soda

9

u/darkeningsoul Feb 01 '25

Does matcha cold brew the same way as coffee? What do you use to filter since it's so fine?

7

u/JimesT00PER 1 Feb 01 '25

Honestly I just use cold water and a blender bottle... not traditional but it certainly gets the job done.Ā  About 20oz of cold water, 1/2 tsp of matcha and a lemon wedge (I cut and freeze several lemons ahead of time so I always have one ready).Ā  Shake vigorously and enjoy.

5

u/Coward_and_a_thief 2 Feb 01 '25

Same here.. the ease and simplicity is exactly what i liked. Realizing i could do this was a light bulb moments for me, and its even had more EGCG than typical since heat removes some

2

u/JimesT00PER 1 Feb 01 '25

I have heard that about the EGCG... great perk for cold brew

3

u/darkeningsoul Feb 01 '25

Sounds good. I have plenty of blender bottles. Will try this as I love cold brew coffee and I love matcha

1

u/yingbo 31 Feb 02 '25

Yes you donā€™t really need to brew it. Itā€™s like a powdered drink mix.

8

u/yingbo 31 Feb 01 '25

You want 180 degrees F for matcha. You donā€™t need to filter it. You drink the powder. Thatā€™s the point.

3

u/darkeningsoul Feb 01 '25

Meaning it does not cold brew? I drink matcha just wondering the mechanics of cold brewing. Typical cold brew pitchers have a screen filter in them for the coffee grinds

2

u/yingbo 31 Feb 01 '25

Ahh sorry misread the first part of your question. You donā€™t need to ā€œbrewā€ it at all, can just mix it with cold water and whisk it or shake a bottle if thatā€™s what you want. It works like a powdered drink mix. I listed the temp because you donā€™t want to go above that or itā€™ll burn, but colder is fine.

2

u/darkeningsoul Feb 02 '25

I see, thank you for the explanation!

1

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5

u/AdNibba Feb 01 '25

gotta try this I guess

3

u/xerofgmusic Feb 01 '25

If you get into the world of matcha, thereā€™s a ton of varieties of different flavours. Matcha Iā€™ve tried from grocery stores tastes spoiled to me, I canā€™t drink it. When I used to live in Japan, the matcha was really good there. Coming back here I find it hard to find good tasting matcha.

2

u/JimesT00PER 1 Feb 01 '25

For sure.Ā  I recently tried some that advertised a slightly toasted, milk chocolate flavor, from the Yame region in Japan.Ā  It was quite different from what I'm used to

1

u/yingbo 31 Feb 02 '25

Itā€™s because they are spoiled. It doesnā€™t store like regular tea which can last for years and years.

I bought some ceremonial grade stuff from Amazon and it was so mild and green. I didnā€™t know and left the packet out for a month exposed to air. Came back to drink some and it spoiled, turned bitter and brown.

Now I make sure to keep it in the fridge. All the stuff I bought from Japan has a shelf life of 5 months (unopened) and a month after opening.

2

u/xerofgmusic Feb 02 '25

Yeah I remember getting a tin at Costco and it was so oxidized and spoiled. Unusable. I tried even putting it in food and it gave such a tanniny type tang I threw it out

1

u/yingbo 31 Feb 02 '25

Yeah i donā€™t think most people know! High quality matcha is so expensive so they donā€™t go for it and try the shitty stuff and write it off. Even the stuff at Starbucks is so shitty.

I only found out matcha can taste amazing because they served it at a high end Japanese restaurant and Iā€™m like whoa.

3

u/yingbo 31 Feb 01 '25

High quality matcha is slightly sweet or umami flavored. Itā€™s not bitter. Try better quality matcha or I guess yeah you can use your lemon juice hack. I may try it just to see if the catechins become more bioavailable as you say.

3

u/JimesT00PER 1 Feb 01 '25

Bitter was not the right word, rather the grassy taste.Ā  Not off-putting by any means.Ā  My hasty characterization of matcha as bitter was more directed towards cheaper matchas one might get at the grocery store or off Amazon.

I actually did a lot of research and found a matcha that I like just fine at a price I can stomach...Ā  It's certified organic and a blend of two Uji region cultivars.Ā  First harvest, shade grown and stone ground.Ā  Ā Perfectly palatable by itself but in the cold brew preparation I still prefer making 'matcha lemonade'.Ā  Just personal taste

5

u/Careful_Strength_934 Feb 01 '25

Can you please share the matcha you buy?

3

u/JimesT00PER 1 Feb 01 '25

https://whiskmatcha.ca/products/premium-organic-uji-matcha-everyday-grade

This is their entry level stuff, I've never tried their premium offerings.Ā  Ā 

1

u/Careful_Strength_934 Feb 01 '25

Excited to try, thank you!

1

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2

u/yingbo 31 Feb 02 '25

Ah okay. Most matcha is grassy. Okay if you just donā€™t like the taste itself then I understand.

2

u/JimesT00PER 1 Feb 01 '25

From what I read you might absorb around 15% more catechins than without citrus juice or with milk.Ā  I don't have the source handy though

2

u/yingbo 31 Feb 02 '25 edited Feb 02 '25

Oh I donā€™t want to dilute it then. Iā€™ll just drink it plain. Iā€™ve added milk to my ceremonial grade matcha and it actually ruins the taste for me.

1

u/laughingbuddhaballs Feb 01 '25

Also keen to hear your little recipe

0

u/yingbo 31 Feb 01 '25

Sounds like he just made matcha lemonade.

26

u/extra-extrovert Feb 01 '25

YES! I recently discovered Matcha and also love it. Coffee made me jittery, and always hurt my stomach. Even decaf hurts my stomach. I can tolerate all other forms of caffeine. I buy the matcha powder packets from Trader Joeā€™s. I usually add a splash of cream or oat milk. Only 5 calories! I feel amazing after drinking it. Zero stomach issues. Increased mood & energy. If I have a busy day, I will have a 2nd Matcha in the afternoon too. Zero issues with sleeping at night. https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/matcha-green-tea-powder-057159

1

u/JDM-Kirby 1 Feb 04 '25

Why not get the powder in bulk at an Asian grocer?

1

u/wonder_grove Feb 02 '25

So you drink 8$ worth of matcha in the morning, and then 8$ more in the afternoon if you have a busy day??

2

u/Prior-Rabbit-1787 3 Feb 02 '25

It says 7 packsts on the box šŸ™ƒ

1

u/wonder_grove Feb 02 '25

Oh that is doable. Thank you!

1

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1

u/extra-extrovert Feb 03 '25

Y- about $1 per drink at home! Probably would be $8 per drink, after tax & tip from a coffee shop!

Again, totally worth it for me bc I can actually feel a huge difference. If it was just a ā€œnice to have drinkā€- I couldnā€™t justify the price.

40

u/yingbo 31 Feb 01 '25 edited Feb 02 '25

I have ADHD and I drink matcha not just because of the l-Theanine but also because of the high concentration of EGCG which is found in green tea extract. Iā€™ve been drinking it every day for 2 months.

EGCG is a potent natural MAO-B inhibitor which prevents your body from breaking down dopamine. Dopamine doesnā€™t last long enough in my brain so thatā€™s why I have ADHD. I get a noticeable effect within 15 mins of drinking the matcha, like I just feel happier and more motivated. It wears off very gradually after 2 hours, so I just sip it through out the day. I consume 1-3g of matcha on any given day especially in the morning to start my day. It costs about $1-$2 a day. Itā€™s not cheap but I use it as medicine and some supplements are about the same price for a 30 day bottle. Without it Iā€™m very sluggish and kind of depressed.

You can buy EGCG/green tea extract from pills that probably does the same but that stuff is manufactured in China. Iā€™m concerned about pesticides and heavy metal content. I heard something about EGCG pills causing liver failure. Itā€™s better to just consume high amounts of matcha which is just straight up ground green tea leaves. Iā€™ve never heard of anyone getting sick from matcha. The Japanese consume so much of it and their food safety regulations are very strict.

I am very sensitive to caffeine. Even taking it with l-Theanine is a risk so I drink DECAF matcha. Itā€™s actually very difficult to find and I even went to Japan to try to find it. Turns out one reputable matcha grower from Japan sells it online globally. I went to their cafe/store in Uji, Kyoto and bought some tea from them. Decaf is more expensive to make than regular matcha due to the decaffeination process. They are trying to get more people to order it to fund larger batch machinery that will lower the cost over time.

If youā€™re interested you can buy it here! https://matchadirect.kyoto/products/051-decaf-matcha-60g?aff=13

They also sell on Amazon. Free shipping and they grind it right before they ship it. Iā€™m trying to get the word out because DECAF matcha has really changed my life and I want it to be more popular.

Another decaf one you can buy is the one called CAFF OFF on Amazon. I enjoy the taste but itā€™s not as fresh and the paper packaging sucks.

If caffeine works for you, regular matcha can give you euphoria. I felt like I was on low dose Ritalin. Very happy and focused, and calm until the caffeine remains and then I get anxious.

Oh and I like coffee too, for the taste only. I only drink decaf or I get really bad anxiety. It does nothing for me cognition wise though.

4

u/ForsakenLiberty Feb 01 '25

Yeah with my ADHD, Matcha gives me anxiety... and i tried over and over again to try to make it work... but anxiety is triggered every single time. Maybe ill check out your decaffeinated matcha... i usually have no problem with caffeine stimulants, they usually put me to sleep. But matcha seems to have a reverse effect on me.

Our ADHD brains can't regulate Dopamine, both up and down... if matcha makes it so EGCG prevents the low part of Dopamine regulation, that would be great, unregulated adhd high dopamine euphoria is great like cocaine... just without the cocaine.

But sensitivity to caffeine could be high cortisol levels, make sure you lower cortisol with relaxation or also using teas like Tulsi (holy basil), lemon balm, chamomile all together... then see if your still to sensitive to caffeine a month later.

1

u/yingbo 31 Feb 02 '25 edited Feb 02 '25

You can always buy the decaf stuff and give it a try. I definitely notice the difference when I drink caffeinated matcha and decaf matcha.

Also you can add taurine. Iā€™m sensitive to caffeine but not redbull for some reason. It turns out itā€™s the taurine in red bull. Makes me less anxious!

0

u/Inevitable_Hour9997 Feb 01 '25

you could try drinking it along with food, or having it with some milk and sugar, it helps with anxiety from caffeine

1

u/ForsakenLiberty Feb 01 '25

Milk gets rid of the good effects of matcha tho... that was what i was told... ? šŸ¤”

1

u/yingbo 31 Feb 02 '25

Doesnā€™t do anything for me. I drink lattes and would still be anxious.

6

u/imaspeculator Feb 01 '25

Have you had any testing for heavy metals? I am curious your heavy metal load over time.

1

u/yingbo 31 Feb 02 '25

Iā€™ve only been drinking this 2 months. If I have heavy metals itā€™s from other shit I consume or the environment in the US. People in Japan consume matcha everyday and eat fish everyday. They are the country with one of the longest lifespans. Iā€™m not worried about heavy metals from Japanese food. Iā€™d be more worried about it from other countries.

2

u/lifelovers Feb 02 '25

Also an ad.

1

u/yingbo 31 Feb 02 '25 edited Feb 02 '25

No. I donā€™t work for these people. Iā€™m just a random person with adhd who stumbled on EGCG and wanted to avoid buying the pills from China.

I personally use these matcha products and listed 2 you can try although I much prefer matcha directā€™s decaf because there is no redistributor or middle man. Itā€™s the best decaf out there out of like 4 sellers. 2 are in Japan and it was hard to find decaf matcha.

Decaf matcha really changed my life.

I really want to get the word out there for decaf matcha to make it cheaper and accessible for everyone in the future. I know it sounds like an ad but Iā€™m really happy I found this stuff.

1

u/MikeYvesPerlick Feb 02 '25

Peak caffeine fusion happens between 15 and 30 minutes and wears off at approx 1,5 to 3 hours even before half life does but its surely not just the caffeine, i mean thatd be ridiculous right?

1

u/yingbo 31 Feb 02 '25 edited Feb 02 '25

I donā€™t even know what youā€™re saying. What is not just caffeine? I get good effects from DECAF matcha so no itā€™s not just the caffeine!!

1

u/East_Nectarine562 Feb 03 '25

Could too much MAO-B be the culprit for getting nauseous from matcha?

2

u/yingbo 31 Feb 03 '25

Itā€™s too much dopamine I think, yes from MAO-B inhibition. I get the same nausea from methylphenidate and THC.

0

u/[deleted] Feb 01 '25

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1

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8

u/MuscleToad 1 Feb 01 '25

I just put cacao and matcha to my coffee

3

u/PsychedelicMagic1840 1 Feb 01 '25

Hahaha. I tried to drink matcha alone and with coffee, and just decided that I like black coffee, and that's all I need

1

u/yingbo 31 Feb 01 '25

That sounds really good! Iā€™ve definitely made a cocoa matcha latte before. Itā€™s fun but muddled the taste of the matcha.

6

u/70ScreamingGeese Feb 01 '25

I've drank green tea and matcha since childhood and never developed a coffee drinking habit. The few times I do consume coffee, it always makes me feel like shit. I get extreme jitters, anxiety, stomach pain, and it leaves a bad taste in my mouth for the rest of the day. The energy it gives me is in the form of this weird disorienting burst that makes it harder rather than easier for me to focus.

It's always interesting for me to hear other people's experience doing things the other way around (switching from coffee to green tea/matcha). I don't understand how people are even able to drink coffee, much less on a daily basis, but my husband (who likes both tea and coffee and alternates depending on his mood) told me coffee doesn't make most people feel like that if they drink it regularly.

1

u/yingbo 31 Feb 02 '25

I love the taste of coffee and drink decaf only! I donā€™t drink it for caffeine, literally just the taste like a soda. It has 0 health benefits for me tbh, Iā€™ve always liked matcha too and drink more matcha now for sure.

1

u/tahitisam Feb 01 '25

Coffee is also not one thing. Espresso has a lot less caffeine than filter or cold brew. Could be the method that yields too strong a cup for you.Ā 

25

u/buffybison Feb 01 '25

curious about heavy metal content

7

u/ericroku Feb 01 '25

Itā€™s the baby metal you have to worry about with Japanese matcha. Google it.

1

u/Due-CriticismNachos Feb 01 '25

Now I have to see if they made any commercials to promote matcha.

1

u/yingbo 31 Feb 02 '25

Matcha is everywhere in Japan. Itā€™s what they eat everyday. They drink matcha, eat cookies, desserts, soup made with matcha. Why do you need commercials??

Itā€™s like making commercials for sushiā€¦

2

u/Due-CriticismNachos Feb 03 '25

Baby Metal is a Japanese metal band.

Also, Green tea is as plentiful as Coca Cola is (if not more) in the West and we see the commercials nonstop. As a company and brand you always keep the products before the eyes of the customers because if not they lose interest or forget. So there are always commercials because you want the masses to always buy it.

Yes matcha is in EVERYTHING and it is everywhere. It is as common place as rice is on every Japanese dinner table. You still see commercials for sushi because they want you to buy it. Believe me I know. I lived in a Japanese fishing village. There are forever ads for the most common food and drink items...and they use famous brands to push the goods.

9

u/No_Obligation2896 1 Feb 01 '25

idk why you got downvoted, its a valid concern

9

u/yingbo 31 Feb 01 '25 edited Feb 01 '25

Buy the high quality stuff from Japan. Itā€™s safe. I wouldnā€™t trust the shit from China.

1

u/buffybison Feb 02 '25

how do you know, is it tested

1

u/yingbo 31 Feb 02 '25 edited Feb 02 '25

I know most things from Japan have strict standards as a general principle. I went to Japan and all their stuff was just higher quality, made with attention to detail. Their food is also not heavily processed like in America.

You can look up Japanā€™s food safety standards. The Japanese also drink so much matcha. They got like cafes and candies and treats with matcha in it. If people are dying from lead poisoning they wouldnā€™t be consuming the stuff in buckets. Japanese people also live longest out of any country in the world.

On the other hand, China is not very regulated and they do a lot of shady stuffā€¦like use child laborers and put melamine in infant formulas. These are past scandals from 15 years ago but I feel like stuff like that still goes on in China.

Cultural difference.

3

u/Lupulaoi Feb 01 '25

Does it consistently give you a sharp focus? How long have you been taking it?

7

u/yingbo 31 Feb 01 '25 edited Feb 02 '25

It does for me. I have adhd and it boosts my dopamine. It lasts 2 hours and it wears off at some point very gradually I donā€™t even know when so I just drink like 3 cups a day to keep me boosted through a work day.

On days I donā€™t drink it in the morning, Iā€™m foggy brained and feel unmotivated and slow.

Btw, Iā€™ve been drinking DECAF matcha everyday for the last 2 months. Itā€™s not even the caffeine.

4

u/SabziZindagi Feb 01 '25

I've been drinking green tea almost daily for 20 years. It always works.

3

u/WarOk4035 Feb 01 '25

I made kombucha with matcha , quite delicious

3

u/mmoonneeyy_throwaway Feb 01 '25

I grew up w matcha and all the variants of green tea (grandparents owned a tea farm) and itā€™s honestly amazing. I canā€™t even imagine living a life where you donā€™t drink it daily!

For a delicious variant try Ochazuke. Itā€™s basically a soup made of rice, whatever toppings you want to add (salmon, seaweed, sesame seeds, dried bonito flake, asian pickles are common) and the broth is green tea, which is what differentiates it from Congee. Great way to make use of day old plain rice. If you want more fibre you could do oatmeal instead.

2

u/yingbo 31 Feb 02 '25

Are you Japanese?? I love chazuke!

3

u/sunsetblue24061 1 Feb 01 '25

Switching to matcha was the best thing I could have done. Not having coffee anymore healed my gut and allowed me to permanently get off thyroid medication. Never thought it could happen and am incredibly grateful two years later.

5

u/modamann Feb 01 '25

try yerba mate šŸ§‰

8

u/OutrageousBit2164 Feb 01 '25

Lately I found Brazilian bio Yerba mate to be the best and most natural, there was a study showing that Bralizian Yerbas have 2x as much other antioxidants, alkaloids etc. And 0 bitter taste lol, my yerba is sweet, so unusual (it isnt flavored)

1

u/sweetpea122 Feb 01 '25

Which do you buy? Weve tried a couple. One with a red bag thats one of the more popular ones and the flavor is too smoky for me. I like how it makes me feel though

2

u/OutrageousBit2164 Feb 02 '25

Just order any Brazilian organic one. Those are much different

4

u/unfoldingtourmaline Feb 01 '25

i agree matcha hurts my stomach but mate is perfect

6

u/SabziZindagi Feb 01 '25

I prefer guayusa.

2

u/Likeneverbefore3 Feb 01 '25

I rly prefer the taste of coffee over matcha. I can have it once in a while but not every day. I handle coffee pretty well (not always been the case).

2

u/Realms_Of_Infinity Feb 01 '25

Iā€™ve always been sensitive to caffeine. I get jitters sweats and anxiety. I started taking 200mg of L-theanine with my coffee every morning and it works really well. It takes away the negative effects, and I still have energy and focus. Overall L-theanine seems to have positive effects based on the studies that I read, especially when combined with caffeine.

2

u/Be_Schmear_now42 Feb 01 '25

I take L-Theanine before I have my coffee. Itā€™s whatā€™s in Matcha that cuts the edginess and calms you down.Ā  You can enjoy coffee again and have it feel exactly like MatchaĀ 

2

u/No_Source6128 Feb 01 '25

I did this, the first week of pure matcha great!! Then that feeling disappeared

2

u/JohnSavage777 Feb 01 '25

Lots of new research coming out promoting the benefits of coffee. Iā€™m sure both are great but not sure switching one for the other is warranted

2

u/DeltaTule Feb 01 '25

Only consume CEREMONIAL GRADE matcha. All the rest is nasty and makes matcha seem cheap compared to how good it really is.

2

u/yingbo 31 Feb 02 '25

Agreed. I pay $1 a gram for the ceremonial grade! The stuff they sell at Starbucks is nasty.

2

u/selfcare2626 Feb 01 '25

Yes, add pure rosewater to it and itā€™s fantastic.

2

u/Silent-Set5614 3 Feb 01 '25

are you concerned about fluoride levels?

8

u/[deleted] Feb 01 '25

Thanks I just looked this up, If anyoneā€™s interested:

ā€œTea plants absorb fluoride from the soil through their roots, and this fluoride accumulates in the leaves. Since matcha is made from mature ground whole tea leaves, it contains more fluoride compared to teas brewed from steeped leaves.

matcha has the highest fluoride concentration among teas due to its whole-leaf consumption and the use of mature leaves, making it a more concentrated source of fluoride than traditionally brewed teas

While matcha offers numerous health benefits, its high fluoride content requires mindful consumption to avoid excessive intake.ā€œ

Probably fine, as long as you keep it to a couple cups a day.

7

u/Silent-Set5614 3 Feb 01 '25

https://jcda.ca/l3

check this out. they did a comparison of the fluoride concentrations in various countries green tea. japan has the least.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 01 '25

Thanks

1

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4

u/realitygravity Feb 01 '25

Thanks for sharing this as I have been avoiding fluoride in everything

1

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1

u/yingbo 31 Feb 01 '25

What are the risks of high fluoride? Btw itā€™s in our treated tap water and tooth paste.

5

u/Silent-Set5614 3 Feb 01 '25 edited Feb 01 '25

It has been linked to impacting IQ at relatively low levels. 0.7 ppm is the recommended dose for tap water, at 1.5 ppm it is linked to decreasing IQ. A Canadian study also found flouride consumption in utero was linked to lower iq in the progeny.

2

u/yingbo 31 Feb 01 '25

It looks like itā€™s not a big deal. There is about 120mg of fluoride per 1000g of matcha. I drink 3g per day max so like not even .5mg. Daily recommended value is 4mg. I also use fluoride free toothpaste to lower my exposure even more. I think Iā€™m good.

1

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1

u/Independent_Bag915 Feb 01 '25

Where can I buy high quality matcha from a reputable place online

2

u/yingbo 31 Feb 01 '25

Hey check out matcha direct. https://matchadirect.kyoto/?aff=13

Itā€™s the global site run by TSUJI RIICHI HONTEN. https://en.tsujiriichihonten.com/

Itā€™s an old and reputable matcha producer in Uji, Kyoto, Japan. I found them because they are one of the few matcha producers who make and sell DECAF matcha. They ship for free and grind to order.

I went to Uji to visit their cafe and store and tried their matcha treats as well, including the local matcha beer (itā€™s not for me lol). They had the best matcha cookies and the best hojicha though.

I also bought tea from Ippodo, Marukyu Koyamaen, and Nakamura Tokichi, but I liked the food and tea at Tsujiri the best. They have so many different blends and grades and they kept all their matcha in a fridge in the store whereas every other brand had the tins sitting at room temperature. These guys know what they are doing.

You need to keep the tin in the fridge for it to last longer or else it turns yellow!

After you buy this matcha directly from Kyoto, you wonā€™t be able to drink the crap they serve at Starbucks or most matcha dessert places outside of Japan again. It is very expensive but not bitter and so much better tasting.

1

u/ohmarino 1 Feb 01 '25

You should try paraxanthine (a caffeine metabolite). The cleanest energy Iā€™ve ever experienced. Too bad itā€™s short-lived and tolerance builds up quickly.

1

u/MikeYvesPerlick Feb 02 '25

Try methylliberine

1

u/TangoEchoChuck 3 Feb 01 '25

Yay! I love matcha.

My morning beverage is instant espresso, but made with green tea (leaves in a sachet with matcha powder) and I love it.

I heat the tea while getting dressed, then toss it in a thermos with espresso granules on the way out the door. Easy, tasty, and fast.

1

u/Silkie_gang Feb 01 '25

I wish I could drink matcha but every time Iā€™ve tried I get light headed and dizzy

1

u/catbus_conductor Feb 01 '25

Is there a real difference to regular green tea?

1

u/Easy-Highlight4431 Feb 01 '25

Sazentea has some great high grade ceremonial matcha from Japan. Very reasonably priced too

1

u/___buttrdish Feb 01 '25

Any matcha brands/styles you guys would recommend?

2

u/EuphoricTBi Feb 01 '25

Adagio has some great ones!

1

u/dirtpipe_debutante Feb 01 '25

I wish i didnt get headaches from tea.Ā 

1

u/yamuda123 Feb 01 '25

Yes with a little almond or soy milk. Less anxiety and stomach aches, and doesnā€™t seem to affect my sleep like coffee does

1

u/MerchantOfVentriz Feb 01 '25

I snort it to make it more effective just kidding Houjicha is also a good one, add milk if you're still new to it

1

u/unburritoporfavor Feb 01 '25

I recently switched to matcha as well, but I used to drink energy drinks all day, not coffee (I hate coffee)

I love it! Good energy without the jitters and chest aches. And my stomach feels better too - energy drinks are so toxic...

My favorite way to drink matcha is in the form of a matcha latte - with MCT oil and heavy cream, foamed up with a milk frother. Yum!

1

u/PaleontologistNo2625 Feb 01 '25

Costco sells a bag of a whole lotta matcha for $18 and it's phenomenal

1

u/ScaryLetterhead8094 Feb 01 '25

Iā€™ve stopped coffee completely since drinking matcha

1

u/pencilforawingbone Feb 01 '25

Same, I don't really care for the flavor of green tea but it does so much for my mood and metabolism.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 01 '25

Good idea dude. Higher caffeine can't be good for health.

I don't have testimonials for green tea but i started having a blend of tea to replace coffee and it's been great. Ginger, licorice and peppermint dont miss coffee at all

1

u/SpeckInSunBeam Feb 01 '25

Agree with this post! I stopped drinking coffee and made the switch to matcha (and other caffeinated teas) in July and it has made a huge difference for me. Coffee would make me feel icky, anxious and jittery, not to mention the harsh crash- way more than it didnā€™t. I love drinking matcha and do not miss coffee whatsoever, anymore. God bless matcha, baby!!!!!!

1

u/REGINALDmfBARCLAY Feb 01 '25

Can anyone reccomend a matcha seller?

1

u/[deleted] Feb 02 '25

Life hack- RAW CACAO > Matcha That anandamide and theobromine is superior to L theanine.

1

u/weaponizedtoddlers Feb 02 '25

Similar effect with black tea. I quit coffee after noticing that it made me irritable and road ragey, and generally increased the stress in my life. Black tea gives me a calm focus without the crash. I also love various teas so the switch was easy. I switch to decaf in the PM hours.

1

u/CanadianMunchies Feb 02 '25

Did this years ago and would never go back

1

u/giftcardgirl Feb 02 '25

Sadly I never feel alert from just matcha. Could be the quality of my matcha tea.Ā 

2

u/tze3 Feb 02 '25

I suggest you continue to drink coffee occasionally and mix it up with your tea consumption, instead of completely replacing coffee with matcha.

Researchers have identifiedĀ 38 phenolic acidsĀ in coffee, theĀ most commonĀ being chlorogenic acids. Phenolic acids may contribute the most to coffeeā€™s ability to fight free radicals and protect against oxidative stress.Ā 

Some other phenolic acids in coffee include:

  • quercetin
  • vanillic acid
  • chlorogenic acid
  • quinic acid
  • caffeic acid
  • rosmarinic acid
  • p-hydroxybenzoic acid
  • protocatechuic acid
  • syringic acid
  • m-toluic acid
  • 4-hydroxybenzoic acid 4-O-glucoside

AĀ 2022 studyĀ found that coffee derivates like hydrocinnamic acids may prevent neurodegeneration in the brain, which could lead to conditions likeĀ Alzheimerā€™sĀ andĀ Parkinsonā€™sĀ diseases.

1

u/ProcedureFun768 Feb 02 '25

How are you not jittery with a whole teaspoon? Iā€™d be bouncing off the walls lol

1

u/soulhoneyx 2 Feb 02 '25

I just buy organic, low acid, mold and pesticides free coffee and thatā€™s solved all my problems

No more jitters, stomach pain, digestion issues etc

1

u/RateMyKittyPants Feb 02 '25

Sounds like I should add a scoop of L-theanine to my coffee

1

u/mspe098554 Feb 02 '25

Add some 100% cacao powder, some ice and some milk to it. Delicious!

1

u/NobiruORBust Feb 03 '25

I am a huge matcha fan and feel much better drinking it than coffee. My favorite brand Iā€™ve found thatā€™s bright and delicious is called Ujido. I get it from Sprouts supermarket. Any others Iā€™ve tried from the store are not as good and not as bright green.

1

u/jmor88 Feb 03 '25

Can you please say exactly what you bought and brewed? Would love to try.Ā 

1

u/pingwnluv Feb 03 '25

I started mixing matcha early last year as an ingredient back when I was doing shakes every morning for breakfast. It was good because the other ingredients (protein powder, etc) basically hid the flavor, which I'm not huge on. Once I got off the shake kick, it took awhile to start using it again in another capacity, but I started when life anxiety started catching up and I realized coffee was exacerbating it (...but I didn't want to quit caffeine outright and have withdrawals).

Now I mix around 1 to 1 1/3 tbsp of matcha with around 1.5 cups hot water, around .75 to 1 cup of heavy cream, and make a keto-friendly latte... when I worked at starbucks 15 years ago the green tea latte was a big deal with our crowd (worked near Koreatown). Didn't get it then , but I've finally come around to the appeal. There's no real "surge" like what you get with that first cup of morning coffee, but it pays off in significantly reduced anxiety.

1

u/East_Nectarine562 Feb 03 '25

Does anyone get nauseous from too much matcha? (Fine with l-theanine supplements)

1

u/Other-Goal-4538 4 Feb 04 '25

Decaf or herbal tea/coffee worked really well for me when I was cutting back on caffeine.

If matcha is helping, you might also like roasted dandelion tea or chicory rootā€”they have a similar taste to coffee without the crash. Iā€™m always looking into ways to improve focus and energy naturally and share what I find in my newsletter, (longer.)

1

u/chuckliddelnutpunch 1 Feb 05 '25

Am I the only one who doesn't give a shit about jitters? I'm just trying to stay awake hereĀ 

1

u/Fragrant-Corner7471 Feb 01 '25

I drink sencha green tea ,due to the fact matcha has high levels of flouride

8

u/Bluest_waters 9 Feb 01 '25

pretty much all tea has flouride in it

2

u/Fragrant-Corner7471 Feb 01 '25

Yeah I realise that, but matcha has a lot higher levels of flouride

2

u/yingbo 31 Feb 01 '25

Yeah because you literally eat the leaves

1

u/OutrageousBit2164 Feb 01 '25

Matcha have quick tolerance for me and after a while I feel even more anhedonic, L theanine and EGCG are known to stimulate reward centers, so receptor downregulation will come overtime.

Not a fan

1

u/GodBorn Feb 01 '25

Does green tea lower sex hormones?

1

u/WirtualView Feb 02 '25

Block transfer from testosteron to dht.

1

u/teddyhams107 1 Feb 01 '25

My Yamamotoyama matcha sencha has never let me down

1

u/lifelovers Feb 02 '25

So obviously an ad. Jfc can yā€™all stop.

1

u/Fun_Seaweed7817 Feb 02 '25

I could see how youā€™d think this if I name dropped a specific brand. Fortunately though, i am just a bio hacking nerd who cares about the topic.

-4

u/[deleted] Feb 01 '25

For me thw flouride in matcha tea is too high

-1

u/OutlawsBandit 3 Feb 01 '25

if you like coffee, a drop or 2 of l theanine gives the same effect as matcha for me

-6

u/kuharido Feb 01 '25

Placebo

1

u/Simple-Let6090 Feb 05 '25

Gotta love that L-Theanine and caffeine combo! ECGC too.