Hey everyone! I wanted to chat with you about a small change I’ve made to my drink habits recently – I’ve started choosing herbal tea more often than matcha!
matcha
I know, matcha, especially matcha lattes, used to be one of my go-to drinks. That unique matcha aroma and slightly bitter taste, paired with the silkiness of milk… just thinking about it makes me happy.
Plus, matcha is often touted as a healthy beverage, packed with antioxidants and all that good stuff – sounds pretty amazing, right?
My former favorite—matcha latte
But lately, I’ve slowly realized that herbal tea seems to suit me better now. In fact, I’d even say that the surprises and benefits it brings me are truly much more than matcha!
Today, I want to properly tell you why I’ve “fallen out of love” with matcha and why herbal tea has so much charm that even a matcha lover like me has turned to it.
The Caffeine!!!
For me, there's nothing quite as comforting as winding down with a warm cup of tea in the evening.
It's the perfect way to relax after a long day and prepare for a good night's sleep. And Matcha, with its rich, comforting flavor, always seemed like a tempting option.
But here’s the problem: Matcha is green tea powder , naturally containing caffeine. And because it's in powder form, you're essentially consuming the entire tea leaf, so the caffeine content is usually higher than brewed green tea.
Matcha is green tea powder
As much as I love the idea of a cozy evening Matcha latte, the reality is, the caffeine in Matcha really messes with my sleep. Even if I drink it just a few hours before bed, I find myself tossing and turning all night, struggling to fall asleep and stay asleep.
The caffeine in matcha keeps me up at night
Herbal tea perfectly solves this problem! The vast majority of herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free (unless artificially added). Like milk thistle, chrysanthemum, chamomile, etc., that I often drink, they are all completely caffeine-free.
Various kinds of herbs
This gives me more freedom to choose when to drink them. I can drink them in the morning, afternoon, and even before bed without worrying about the effects of caffeine. For caffeine-sensitive people, pregnant women, or simply those who want to reduce caffeine intake, herbal tea is just too friendly!
The Myriad Flavors and Amazing Benefits of Herbal Tea
Matcha, how should I put it?
The taste is indeed quite unique, that slight bitterness with a hint of sweetness. But drinking it often, especially every day, I started to feel the flavor was a bit monotonous.
Moreover, the taste of matcha is relatively fixed, not much variation, it's always kind of the same.
But herbal tea is completely different! Did you know that herbal tea isn't actually a single type of "tea"? It’s made by brewing various parts of plants – flowers, leaves, roots, stems, fruits, and more. This means its ingredients and flavors are virtually endless!
various parts of plants
Just take me for example, I always keep several kinds of herbal tea on hand
- If I feel emotional fluctuations are relatively large after my period, hormone balance tea is my savior. I feel so much better after drinking it every time.
- When I feel tired and want to detox my liver, I brew a cup of liver detox tea. The Milk Thistle, Chrysanthemum, etc. in it are great for helping me cleanse my liver. They're scientifically recognized for their liver-cleansing magic.
- Recently with the changing seasons, feeling a bit under the weather, I drink some vitamin C-rich rosehip tea or lemon tea. Sweet and sour, tastes good, and supplements vitamins – a double win.
- Sometimes I just want to purely enjoy different flavors, I also try lavender tea, rosemary tea, lemongrass tea, and so on. Each one has a unique aroma and flavor profile, and drinking different ones every day, I never get tired of it!
See, just the ones I drink regularly have so many different benefits and flavors!
Herbal tea comes in a variety of flavors
In comparison, the main ingredient of matcha is green tea powder. Although it does have some health benefits of green tea, in terms of ingredient diversity and benefit richness, it really can't compare to herbal tea.
More Affordable, More Healthy
Okay, so here’s another thing that honestly bugs me about matcha: it’s just TOO expensive! Let's get real for a second – the good stuff? It’s crazy expensive!
Good matcha is really expensive
And if you’re going for the cheaper matcha… well, let’s just say you’re often getting a whole lot of added sugar and “natural” flavorings that are… not so natural.
Cheap matcha contains sugar and calories
It’s naturally budget-friendly, and naturally good. You can get amazing quality herbal teas without breaking the bank, and you’re actually just getting pure herbs and flowers. No hidden nasties, no sugar crash, just honest-to-goodness natural flavor and goodness.
Herbal tea is both healthy and affordable
For someone watching their wallet and wanting to keep things clean and natural, herbal tea is a total no-brainer. It's like getting premium taste and benefits, without the premium price tag or questionable ingredients.
Final Thoughts
Having said so much, I believe everyone understands why I "fell out of love" with matcha, right? It’s not to say that matcha is bad, it also has its advantages and unique qualities.
But for me, herbal tea has shown greater advantages and charm in terms of ingredient diversity, benefit richness, caffeine-free/low caffeine, flavor, aroma, Price and Health.
If you are also like me, pursuing a healthier, richer, and more free choice of drinks, why not also try herbal tea? I believe you will also fall in love with it like me!
Next time, if I have the chance, I will share more tips and knowledge about herbal tea and brewing techniques with you all! Stay tuned!