Matcha is a popular Japanese green tea powder made of green tea leaves from the Camedia Sinesis plant. Matcha is typically whisked with a chasen, a bamboo whisk, in warm water to make a frothy and smooth beverage.
Matcha is a caffeinated drink, containing one gram of matcha powder 35 mg of caffeine and 30-70 mg per serving. Because of its caffeine content, many people use matcha as their morning caffeinated drink or late afternoon “pick me up” drink, preferring it over a cup of coffee.
“I feel like it doesn’t make you jittery like coffee,” English teacher Callie Recheirt said. “And if I need some caffeine in the afternoon, it is not the same high amount as another cup of coffee.
In comparison to coffee matcha gives calm, long lasting and sustained energy because it contains L-theanine, an amino acid found in green and black tea that improves mental focus; while coffee delivers a stronger and quicker caffeine hit that eventually leads to a possible crash. Matcha is also less acidic, rich in antioxidants and boosts metabolism.
“I’m a coffee fanatic but matcha is more chill,” senior Cayden Osborn said. “It is like coffee’s not so evil twin.”
Matcha can be enjoyed in many creative ways, there is Usucha, the traditional whisking method with just mixed in hot water for a liquid consistency; Koicha, a thick matcha paste with less water and more matcha; a hot or iced matcha latte which is a mix of matcha with steamed milk and sweeteners for extra flavor; Matcha affogato, pour hot matcha over a scoop of vanilla ice cream; matcha smoothie, lemonade, cold brew, milkshake, hot chocolate, brownie, cookie, pie and so many more different ways and flavors. Lately, strawberry matcha has been really popular on social media especially on TikTok as people like to mix the earthy flavor of matcha with the sweetness of strawberry.
“If a store offers it, I put strawberry cold foam and syrup in my matcha,” said senior Faith Wang. “I love matcha because it has a lot of health benefits to it.”
Matcha Recommendations
Many popular coffee places such as Starbucks, Scooters, Stella Nova and 7brew sell matcha, but each person has their favorite place and way of ordering the frothy drink.
“The matcha from Aspen is really good, I get it with raspberry syrup in it,” said Lila Cole. “If people don’t like matcha, the raspberry helps combat the initial taste some people don’t like because my friends tried it and they really liked it even though they told me they didn’t like matcha.”
Aspen Coffee company, a 4.3 stars rated cafe on Google reviews, serves coffee, lattes, expressos, blended drinks and snacks. Their matcha prices vary from $3.50 venti to $4.50 tall plus add ons.
“My favorite matcha is from Scooters, I love it because it is so creamy and smooth,” Osborn said. “I get a medium ice matcha latte with sugar free vanilla, oat milk and light ice.”
Scooter’s Coffee serves hot and iced matcha lattes and matcha green tea smoothies. You can modify the type of milk you want and add flavors or protein to it. Scooters’ matcha prices vary from $4.00 to $5.25.
“As of right now I really like May Picnic Table’s matcha with oat milk and strawberry or lavender,” junior Karla Le said. “I like it because of its smooth and earthy flavor that makes you feel a sense of peace.”
May Picnic Table is a 4.8 rated Korean cafe in Edmond that serves a variety of food and beverage options such as kimbap, tofu pockets, ramen, sandwich and rice bowls. They are famous for their use of ceremonial matcha and their different matcha blends: strawberry, lavender, rose and raspberry matcha.
“I enjoy the strawberry foam and puree for the bright fruitiness flavor it adds to the mellow drink,” Le said. “For the lavender one, I like how the floral notes blend with the earthy taste.”
Evoke Cafe in Downtown Edmond, serves coffee, tea, breakfast baked goods and light lunch options. Evoke has matcha latte in their hot drinks menu for $4.5 to $5.00, they use a matcha mix that comes pre-sweetened and offer flavors choices and milk alternatives.
Summer Moon Coffee serves their “matcha moon latte” with half their rich moon milk and skim milk, a mix of matcha with their ½ summer moon latte. Summer Moon offers add ons such as can add syrups, whipped cream, espresso and moon milk substitutions. Their matcha prices vary from $5.95 for 12 oz to $6.95 for 20 oz.
Matcha isn’t just a drink, it is a lifestyle, whether you like it hot or iced, in a latte or in a smoothie, flavored or in a traditional way, it never fails to bring energy and peacefulness into your life.
