If Coffee Makes You Anxious, Let These Matcha Converts Convince You To Switch

This gentler source of caffeine may be a good idea right about now.

Coffee, that eternal source of hope, clarity and goodness, can be fickle. After years of slamming back bottomless cups, you might now be struggling with jangling nerves, constant anxiety or a roiling stomach.

If you need to ease up a bit, it might be time to switch to matcha. We talked to folks who’ve made the switch to get all the tips and tricks you need for a new beverage adventure.

What is matcha, and what does it taste like?

Look, it needs to be said upfront: Matcha is green. It is, in fact, very, very green. That’s because it’s a powder made of finely ground dried leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant, the source of all true tea. If you can get over the color, will you enjoy the taste? Registered dietitian Marissa Karp said, “Matcha is a bit more earthy, and can even have sweet undertones, whereas coffee can be a bit more bitter and nutty.” Registered dietitian nutritionist Sharon Palmer described it this way: “Matcha has a smooth ‘green’ flavor, which is very different from coffee’s roasted taste.”

While some may enjoy the break from the bitterness found in many a cup o’ joe, they may also notice a lingering sense of that “green” taste Palmer mentioned. Take it from one person who’s made the switch, experience designer Nicole Celichowski. She realistically put it this way: “In general, if you don’t like the taste of freshly mowed grass, you might not ever be a convert.”