Matcha vs Coffee- Hype or Hero ?

Can switching your morning brew calm your nervous system — and change your day?

Matcha has become something of a cult. Whisked into ceramic bowls, dusted over panna cotta, poured into sleek iced lattes in pale green hues — it’s the drink of choice for those who favour wellness with a side of aesthetic. But beneath the beauty, what's the tea? For women navigating the demands of modern life — deadlines, multitasking, and never-quite-switching-off — could matcha actually be a better choice than coffee?

As a busy CEO opening a series of luxurious coffee shops- I was addicted to coffee and had no interest in swapping. With a busy schedule & never ending to do list- coffee was medicinal. I could not see myself switching the acute buzz of coffee for the grassy earth tones of matcha. How could something green match coffee for concentration and performance?

10 years in, in my 30s I was facing burn out. This unfamiliar place forced me to embark on a much needed change of pace which led question my habits and assumptions - big & small. Perhaps there are benefits of matcha over coffee?

Here’s what the science says

According to nutritionist and women’s health expert Dr Libby Weaver, the answer may be yes. In her book Rushing Woman’s Syndrome, she describes a generation of women living in a state of “wired but tired” — chronically stimulated, running on adrenaline, and disconnected from the natural rhythm of rest and repair. The culprit? Often, it's stress — but what we reach for to cope can deepen the cycle. Caffeine, for one, sharpens the edge.

Here’s how matcha compares to coffee when it comes to energy, stress, and sustainable focus — and why the swap might be more than just a trend.

1. Matcha Longer- Term Gentle Energy vs Coffee Spikes and Crashes

Coffee delivers an instant jolt. Within 15 minutes, caffeine levels peak in your bloodstream, triggering a spike in adrenaline and cortisol — your fight-or-flight hormones. For a nervous system already running hot, this can tip you into anxiety, racing thoughts, or an afternoon crash that sends you searching for another fix.

Matcha, on the other hand, contains L-theanine — an amino acid that buffers caffeine’s stimulating effects. Instead of a surge, it delivers sustained, calm alertness. Think steady focus over several hours, not a rush followed by a crash.

“Matcha supports clarity without agitation,” says Dr Libby. “It allows the body to rise to the day without relying on adrenaline.”

2. Nervous System Support

For women in high-output lives — running homes, businesses, creative projects — nervous system balance is essential. Chronic caffeine use, especially from coffee, can quietly dysregulate that balance over time, keeping the body in sympathetic dominance (aka survival mode). This can show up as bloating, irritability, poor sleep, or burnout masked as productivity.

Matcha’s L-theanine has been shown to increase alpha brain waves, the same state activated during meditation. The result? Improved resilience to stress, without losing focus or drive.

3. Hormonal Harmony

Adrenal fatigue isn’t a medical diagnosis, but hormonal dysregulation due to chronic stress is very real — and often worsened by too much coffee. When adrenaline and cortisol are constantly elevated, progesterone (the calming, soothing hormone) drops, leaving women more anxious, moody, and bloated in the second half of their cycle.

By reducing the need for adrenaline, matcha helps the body stay out of stress mode, supporting better hormone balance across the month. For women with PMS, irregular cycles, or sleep issues, this can be a subtle but powerful shift.

4. Antioxidants + Beauty Benefits

Matcha is packed with EGCG, a potent antioxidant linked to anti-aging, fat metabolism, and skin repair. One cup of high-grade matcha contains up to 10x the antioxidants of green tea, supporting glowing skin and cellular repair from the inside out.

Coffee has antioxidants too, but it’s also acidic and can spike blood sugar, which for some women leads to breakouts, cravings, or inflammation.

5. Ritual and Intention

Coffee is often gulped. Matcha is made.There’s something inherently calming in the ritual of matcha — the sifting, whisking, the deliberate preparation. For women who are always doing, matcha becomes an act of presence. A quiet moment of intention, rather than consumption on autopilot.

Final Thoughts: Should You Switch?

Maybe theres a reason the girlies are all switching to matcha. Whilst we aren't suggesting you ditch coffee and join the cult- if you feel wired but tired, anxious by mid-morning, or find your sleep and hormones out of sync, switching to matcha could help your body regulate. It’s not about perfection. It’s about supporting your system in the rhythm it was designed for — one that honours focus with softness, energy with ease.

Underneath the aesthetic, matcha offers a world of benefits. Not just in what it gives, but in what it doesn’t take.

Saint Aymes Pick:

• Matcha by Ippodo or Kettl (Ceremonial Grade) – smooth, vibrant, never bitter.

• For travel: Matcha sticks by PerfectTed or Pique – clean ingredients, no sugar.

• Ceramics by Hasami or Kinto – make it ritual.