Matcha has made its way into cafés, kitchens, and wellness routines across the world — but with popularity comes plenty of misinformation. From confusing matcha with regular green tea to overblown health claims, it’s time to separate fact from fiction. In this post, we’re busting five common matcha myths so you can make informed, confident choices.
Product in feature: Daily Uji Matcha 50g
Myth 1: Matcha Is Just Ground Green Tea
Fact: While matcha and traditional green tea both come from the Camellia sinensis plant, matcha undergoes a completely different growing and processing method.
True matcha is:
- Grown in the shade for several weeks before harvest
- Handpicked from the youngest tea leaves
- Deveined and destemmed
- Slowly stone-ground into a fine powder
This process concentrates flavour, antioxidants, and nutrients, resulting in a drink that is far more potent than ordinary green tea.
Myth 2: Matcha Is Always Bitter
Fact: High-quality matcha should not taste bitter. In fact, the best ceremonial-grade matcha is known for its smooth, umami-rich flavour with a natural sweetness.
Bitterness often comes from:
- Low-grade or culinary matcha used incorrectly
- Overheating the water (boiling water scorches the tea)
- Skipping the sifting step, which creates clumps and uneven mixing
- Prepared correctly, matcha delivers a creamy, vegetal taste that’s easy to enjoy.
Myth 3: Matcha Has No Caffeine
Fact: Matcha contains caffeine — but it offers a different experience than coffee. A single serving (about 1 teaspoon) typically contains 60–70mg of caffeine, comparable to a small coffee.
However, matcha also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes calm focus and reduces the jittery effects often associated with caffeine. The result is a balanced, sustained energy boost that many people find preferable to coffee.
Myth 4: All Green Matcha Is Good Matcha
Fact: Colour alone doesn’t determine quality. While vibrant green matcha is usually a positive indicator of freshness and proper shading, some lower-grade matcha is artificially enhanced to appear brighter.
True signs of quality include:
- Origin in Japan (especially Uji or Nishio regions)
- Stone-grinding methods
- First-harvest or spring-harvest leaves
- A smooth, fresh aroma and fine texture
- Always look for reputable sourcing and transparent labelling.
Myth 5: Matcha Will Help You Lose Weight Instantly
Fact: While matcha has been shown to support metabolism and contains antioxidants like EGCG that may aid in fat oxidation, it is not a miracle weight loss product.
Drinking matcha can be a healthy addition to a balanced diet and active lifestyle, but it won’t replace the fundamentals of nutrition, movement, and consistency. Sustainable results come from long-term habits — not quick fixes.