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Best Time to Drink Matcha Tea: Morning, Meals & More

Matcha is having a trendy moment. We can find it in almost all mainstream coffee shops, most health stores, advertised on social media and even the odd supermarket shelf. It’s hard to miss the hype. But is there a best time to drink matcha tea?

Maybe you’re a matcha regular, like someone who can order an “iced oat vanilla shaken matcha latte” without skipping a beat (kudos if so). Or maybe you’re new to it and want to give it a go.

Either way, you are wondering if there’s a best time to drink matcha tea. You’re in the right place, because it turns out “when” really matters when it comes to matcha.

Whether you like matcha whisked into a tea, blended into a smoothie, or poured over ice as a latte, here’s what you need to know about timing your matcha.

What is Matcha Tea?

Matcha is a kind of powdered green tea made from specifically grown and processed tea leaves.

Unlike regular green tea, where the leaves are steeped and then discarded, matcha involves consuming the entire leaf ground into a powder- and so all the goodness that comes with it!

The resultant powdery green goodness means it’s more concentrated in nutrients, but also caffeine. We’ll touch on why that is partially important for your timings later, if it’s not too obvious. But before that, you might be wondering: why bother drinking matcha?

Matcha Tea Benefits

Sustained, calm energy: Thanks to its caffeine content paired with L-theanine (an amino acid), matcha tea provides a more stable release of energy. Rather than the caffeine “spike”and crash of coffee, matcha offers a gentle “wave” of alertness.

Focus & concentration: That same L-theanine has been shown to boost alpha brain waves, which are linked with a calm but alert mental state. This makes matcha tea more ideal than coffee for work, study, or creative projects.

Rich in antioxidants: Matcha tea is high in catechins, particularly EGCG. This powerful antioxidant can help help fight inflammation and support heart health.

Metabolism support: Some studies suggest that matcha may somewhat increase thermogenesis (fat-burning potential), especially if you drink it before exercise.

Personally, the biggest benefit for me is the calm and focused energy. If I have a barista coffee or a big mug of instant coffee, I can turn full Hulk. Jittery, anxious, and spaced out after the crash. Matcha could give you the clarity you need without the chaos, as it does for me.

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How does Matcha Tea Taste?

It tastes naturally sweet yet smooth and grassy.

Yes, it’s true that some may find it bitter and a bit too au naturalé (me included).

Still, there are ways to enhance your matcha tea experience, so it’s not just about being an ultra-green healthy machine.

For me, that’s adding a bit of organic honey to my matcha tea.

Ultimately, my favourite go-to is a matcha latté blend though.

It’s a small investment for something that tastes sweet and creamy yet with no nasties and added adaptogens for ultra calm and focused energy.

Do you love the benefits of matcha tea, but taste and money spent at the coffee shop are deal breakers?

If the vegetal taste of matcha is not for you, yet you want all the benefits, this matcha latte blend by MatchaFuel in this link will not fail you.

Since many of us cannot afford to buy a matcha latte every day at the coffee shop, it means we can continue sipping on this simple pleasure without buyer’s regret.

This post contains some affiliate links, from which I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I am not paid to promote specific products, and only recommend products I genuinely use and love.

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When is the Best Time to Drink Matcha Tea: Morning or Evening?

Most experts and matcha lovers agree: morning is best. Matcha has a good dose of caffeine, so drinking it in the morning helps you feel energised and focused but without the intense “spike” of coffee. I like to think of the matcha caffeine hit as more of a“wave”.

• Morning matcha: Ideal for alertness, focus, and kickstarting your metabolism (especially just before breakfast or a workout).

• Afternoon matcha: This is a good option if you don’t drink coffee or if you’re a heavy sleeper who can tolerate caffeine later in the day.

• Evening matcha: Not the most ideal option unless it’s a caffeine-free blend (rare), as it can interfere with your wind-down routine and sleep quality.

My thoughts? If I have matcha in the afternoon, I lie awake in the night. So if you’re caffeine-sensitive like me, stick to mornings. and notice how your body responds.

That aside, the most important thing is to listen to your body and your mind. Subtly track in your head how you feel after matcha tea: is your workout better if you have it in the morning or lunchtime? Do you feel more or less anxious or focused? Can you sleep as well despite having it in the morning or afternoon?

Quick Tip:

Note that Matcha tea’s caffeine alerting effects can last 4–6 hours, depending on your sensitivity. You might not get the jitters, but you still want to avoid having it too close to sleep time.

matcha-powder-and-matcha-tea-matcha-spoons-on-wooden-table

Can I Drink Matcha Tea on an Empty Stomach?

This is important when we think about timings, considering that some of us skip breakfast in the morning or practice intermittent fasting. 

But the answer is, yes, that is what your heart desires- but it might not be the best idea for everyone.

Since matcha tea is slightly acidic, it can sometimes cause stomach discomfort or nausea if you have it on an empty stomach, especially for those of us with sensitive stomachs.

If that’s you, try pairing it with a small snack or breakfast to buffer the acidity. You might find my blog on other coffee alternatives for GERD/acid reflux helpful if your tum is causing some issues.

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Is the Best Time to Drink Matcha Tea Before or After a Meal?

• Before a meal: Drinking matcha 30 minutes before can potentially help rev your metabolism up and curb your appetite (but keep in mind the above caution around drinking matcha tea on an empty stomach).

• After a meal: Still beneficial, especially for its antioxidants and digestion support.

We may have different ideas for what we want from matcha tea. If your goal is energy and metabolism, drink it before. If your aim is calm focus or digestion support, after works too.

Is It Good to Drink Matcha Every Day?

Yep – Matcha can absolutely be part of your healthy daily routine. Just be mindful of your caffeine intake (1–2 servings daily is a common sweet spot).

As we said in other sections, matcha offers sustained energy, antioxidants, and calming focus. This makes it a great alternative to coffee for many people.

Just make sure you’re choosing high-quality ceremonial grade matcha for the best taste and benefits.

To help you choose, I’ve linked some of my favourite matcha tea options below.

A bonus is you can get these options from your phone to your door. I tend to order from Amazon, A) because I’m lazy. B) because who has time nowadays to walk around a city searching for decent matcha tea?

matcha-tea-on-wooden-board-in-nature

Which Type of Matcha Tea Should I Buy?

Dirtea

This is my ultimate top pick. It is ceremonial grade and organic. Even more, it packs an absolute health punch with:

The mega bonus? Convenient sachets which let me have the best of both worlds with matcha tea at home, at work, or on the go.

Pukka Supreme Matcha Green Organic Tea Box

In my opinion, Pukka teas always pack a punch in terms of flavour. So strap yourself in for an earthy matcha taste sensation! These are proper tea bags of matcha mixed with green tea. Perfect if you don’t want any powdery fuss falling everywhere.

Cheaper than Pukka if you want a safer investment, but not organic. I would not advocate for this in terms of quality, but definitely do in terms of price.

NaturaleBio Japanese Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder

This is probably my next best option after my fave (Dirtea). It is:

  • Non-GMO
  • 50-100 servings
  • Japanese (authentic stuff!)
  • No nasties (i.e., no additives)
  • Premium grade
  • Organic
  • A steal at 10 pence per serving!
  • Trustworthy – It is currently Amazon’s pick, with tens of thousands of highly rated reviews
  • Flexi – you can make matcha tea, matcha lattes or in cooking

SuperSelf Organic Matcha Powder

  • Organic
  • Ceremonial grade stuff – like Dirtea, you get the most bang for your buck
  • 50g comes at 20 pence per serving (double the price of the above one)
  • Also flexible, the matcha powder can be made into matcha tea, matcha latte, or matcha-inspired cooking
matcha-strawberry-pancakes

Making The Most Out Of Your Matcha

We often overlook just how much our morning, afternoon, or evening drinks shape our day.

Most of us have staple drinks we turn to without thinking. If you’re still here, take this as a gentle reminder: we can use those small moments to be present.

To notice how we feel before that first sip. Stay mindful of the warmth (or coolness if you like it iced), taste, and the simple pleasure it brings -either in the moment or the aftermath.

In these moments of presence, we can find quiet pockets of contentment and gratitude.

What has your experience been of matcha teas and drinks? Have you found the best time to drink matcha tea? I’d love to hear what you’ve noticed so drop me a message or leave a comment below!

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