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I'm ending the debate
Coffee vs. Matcha
Hussein Naji
March 25, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes
Coffee wins because coffee is life. That’s it. You’re welcome.
Best regards,
Hussein
Just kidding. I’m gonna put my emotional bias aside and give you a neutral perspective on the matter.
(I just realized I’m writing these lines while drinking coffee from a mug that says “COFFEE” on it. But please — hear me out 😄)
Okay, let’s stop the silliness and cut to the chase. I’m gonna lay out the pros & cons of coffee & matcha and — based on that — give you recommendations on what to choose.
General recommendation: Don’t drink caffeine after noon. Caffeine stays in your system much longer than you think and — even if you fall asleep easily at night — the quality of your sleep decreases (more on that in the next newsletter on Thursday).
Pros — Coffee vs. Matcha
Coffee | Matcha |
|---|---|
Boosts physical performance | More antioxidants (see explanation below) |
Reduces risk of type 2 diabetes | Good for oral health, breath & skin |
Generally cheaper than matcha | Gives steady energy without a crash |
Strong & immediate caffeine boost | Helps you stay calm & focused at the same time |
FYI: Antioxidants are like special bodyguards for your cells. They protect your cells from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. Too much damage leads to health problems and speeds up aging.
Cons — Coffee vs. Matcha
Coffee | Matcha |
|---|---|
More addictive. | High doses can increase risk of liver damage. |
Some people can experience side effects: insomnia, jitters, increased heart rate, headaches & anxiety. | Risk of consuming leaves contaminated with heavy metals, like lead & arsenic. |
Lead & arsenic are toxic metals. Lead can damage the brain & nerves. Arsenic can increase the risk of cancer and also harm the skin & heart. However, if you get your matcha from trusted suppliers and drink it in moderation you should be fine.
How to choose
Choose coffee if you:
need to get moving quickly in the morning.
can handle a strong, fast caffeine kick without feeling jittery.
want a quick energy boost before a workout, a short task, or an important meeting.
Choose matcha if you:
need a calm, continuous boost without crashes
want to stay alert but also relaxed over several hours
are sensitive to caffeine and prefer a smoother, less intense boost.
The secret warrior
You know that scene in movies where 2 people are fighting and then a random 3rd dude shows up to steal the show? May I present to you: yerba mate!
It might not exactly steal the show but it’s a great alternative that offers a medium caffeine boost — somewhere between coffee and matcha. If you need steady alertness without the jitters of coffee or the calm of matcha, yerba mate is a good middle-ground. It also has different antioxidants that are good for the immune & digestion systems and helps with inflammation.
Mate is getting more and more popular and I feel like there are only 2 opinions:
It’s delicious
It tastes like dirt
I like the taste a lot but I guess you’ll have to test this out on your own😉
That’s it for now. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out on Instagram @husseinnaji_ or email — my door (aka inbox) is always open. Just reply to this mail☺️
Much love,
Your kiwi-with-the-skin-on-eating friend
Hussein
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