Matcha Soda Vs Coffee

by Alex on Sep 17, 2025

Why I Drink Matcha Soda Daily

When I started making on ** Matcha Soda**, it wasn’t just a product idea. It was personal. I wanted to remake my favourite drink from aliving abroad, a healthy boost that wasn’t loaded with sugar, fake ingredients, or the crash that comes from energy drinks.

For years, I used to grab fizzy sodas (you know the ones…) for an afternoon pick-me-up.

That’s when I discovered matcha soda.

Matcha Soda: A Caffeine Alternative

Matcha is a finely ground tea powder made from shade-grown green tea leaves. Unlike regular green tea, you’re consuming the whole leaf, which means you get more antioxidants, more nutrients, and a slower smoother caffeine release.

Here in New Zealand, matcha has been quietly gaining traction. People search for things like matcha latte NZ, matcha powder NZ, or matcha Auckland because they’re looking for something beyond the standard flat white. But for me, the real innovation was turning matcha into a refreshing soda.

When people ask me “what does matcha taste like?”, I tell them it’s a balance of earthy, grassy notes with a subtle sweetness and creaminess. In soda form, its slightly sweet, a lil tangy and really tasty and easy to drink.

How Matcha Caffeine Works Differently

One of the biggest questions I get is:

“How much caffeine is in matcha compared to coffee?”

A double shot coffee in NZ usually contains around 120–150 mg of caffeine.
A serving of matcha soda (500ml) typically has 60–90 mg of caffeine.

So yes, coffee has more caffeine per serving. But here’s the difference: matcha caffeine is paired with L-theanine, a naturally occurring amino acid. Which helps with the jitters and is a longer slow release (at least for me!)

How Much Caffeine in a Double Shot Coffee vs. Matcha?

Let’s revisit the caffeine question, because it’s one of the most Googled comparisons in NZ:

Double shot coffee: ~120–150 mg caffeine
Matcha (1–2g powder): ~60–80 mg caffeine

Here’s the kicker: even though coffee has more caffeine, people often feel better on matcha because of the slower absorption. Thanks to theanine, caffeine is released gradually, avoiding that sudden heart-race and crash.

That’s why I genuinely believe matcha is the best coffee alternative out there.

And if you’ve ever wondered how much caffeine matcha really has, remember it depends on the grade and amount used — but in soda form, it’s perfectly balanced for daily energy.

What is L-Theanine

L-theanine is the secret weapon in matcha. It helps to:

Promote calm focus
Reduce the jittery feeling caffeine sometimes causes
Support alpha brain waves, linked with relaxation and alertness
Help your body metabolise caffeine more slowly

That means instead of a spike-and-crash, you get sustained energy for 4–6 hours. When I drink Luma Matcha Soda, I don’t feel that anxious buzz. Instead, I feel clear-headed, sharp, and steady.

It’s not just about how much caffeine matcha has — it’s about how your body processes it.

Why I Ditched Unhealthy Sodas

I used to be hooked on soft drinks. But after every can, I felt more tired, not less. My productivity tanked, and I needed another one just to keep going.

Switching to matcha soda wasn’t just about caffeine. It was about breaking the cycle. With organic matcha powder, I get:

A natural source of energy
Antioxidants like EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate)
Vitamins and minerals straight from the tea leaf
A refreshing taste that doesn’t feel heavy

It felt like replacing a bad habit with a genuinely healthy ritual. And since we source organic matcha powder NZ drinkers can trust, it means clean energy without compromise.

Matcha Soda vs. Matcha Latte

In New Zealand, the most common introduction to matcha is through a matcha latte NZ — usually made with milk and sweetener. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a good latte now and then. But lattes can be heavy, and they’re not always practical on the go.

That’s where matcha soda comes in. It’s:

Light, fizzy, and refreshing
Dairy-free (great if you’re avoiding milk)
So also Vegan!
Lower in calories than most lattes
Perfect for summer afternoons or post-work pick-me-ups

Think of it like this: if a matcha latte is comfort food, matcha soda is the everyday energy drink alternative.

Organic Matcha Powder: Quality Matters

Not all tea powder is created equal. When we developed Luma Matcha Soda, I was obsessed with sourcing the best organic matcha. Why? Because quality makes all the difference:

High-grade matcha is vibrant green, not dull brown.
It tastes smooth and slightly sweet, not bitter.
Organic certification means no synthetic pesticides or additives.

When you drink it, you’re getting clean, natural energy — exactly what I wanted in a daily ritual. Whether you buy matcha powder NZ from a store or online, the quality will directly affect the taste and health benefits.

What Does Matcha Taste Like?

This is probably the second most common question I get after caffeine comparisons. People ask: “What does matcha taste like?”

Here’s how I describe it:

Earthy and grassy, like a walk through a fresh green garden
Slightly sweet and umami, thanks to the amino acids
Smooth, not bitter (if it’s high quality)

When blended into soda, that flavor profile lightens up. It becomes crisp, refreshing, and surprisingly addictive. For anyone in Auckland or elsewhere in NZ wondering if they’ll like it, I always say: if you enjoy green tea, you’ll love matcha soda.

My Daily Matcha Soda Routine

Every morning, I crack open a Luma Matcha Soda instead of brewing coffee. By the time I sit down to work, I’m awake, alert, and focused — but not jittery. In the afternoon, instead of grabbing another unhealthy soft drink, I reach for a second can.

Over time, I noticed:

Better focus during long work sessions
Fewer 3pm crashes
A calm sense of energy that lasted through the evening

It became more than a drink. It became part of my lifestyle.

Matcha in Auckland and NZ: Growing Trend

It’s no surprise that searches like “matcha Auckland”, “matcha latte NZ”, and “matcha powder NZ” keep trending upwards. Kiwis are catching on. We’re a coffee-loving nation, but we’re also a health-conscious one.

Matcha offers the best of both worlds: the energy of coffee with the wellness benefits of green tea. And when it’s crafted into a soda, it feels perfectly aligned with modern NZ lifestyles — quick, refreshing, and functional.

Tea Powder vs. Coffee Beans

There’s something symbolic about the difference between tea powder and coffee beans. Coffee requires grinding, brewing, and filtering. Matcha powder, on the other hand, dissolves straight into your drink.

This simplicity is what inspired us to create a soda format. It’s tea powder, transformed into a sparkling, portable drink.

Health Benefits of Matcha

I’m careful about health claims, but here’s what certain studies actually support about matcha and green tea:

Rich in antioxidants: Matcha contains up to 137x more antioxidants than standard green tea. (see Study here
Supports metabolism: Compounds like EGCG may help with fat oxidation.
Promotes focus: The combination of caffeine and theanine improves cognitive performance.
Heart health: Green tea consumption has been linked with cardiovascular benefits.

Why Matcha Soda Fits Modern Life

We’re all busy. We don’t always have time to whisk a bowl of matcha or line up for a latte. Matcha soda solves that problem:

It’s portable — grab it on the go.
It’s consistent — every can delivers the same quality and caffeine level.
It’s refreshing — light fizz instead of heavy cream or sugar.

It’s the coffee alternative that actually works for real life.

FAQ: Matcha Soda & Caffeine

How much caffeine is in matcha?

On average, 60–80 mg per serving. That’s enough for a calm, steady boost.

How much caffeine in a double shot coffee?

Around 120–150 mg depending on beans and brewing.

Does matcha make you crash like coffee?

No — thanks to L-theanine, matcha provides sustained energy without the sharp drop.

Can matcha replace coffee entirely?

For me, yes. I haven’t missed coffee since switching. For others, it might be a gradual transition.

What does matcha taste like?

It’s earthy, umami, and slightly sweet — and in soda form, crisp and refreshing.

Final Thoughts: My Pick-Me-Up of Choice

When I look back, switching from unhealthy sodas and over-caffeinated coffee to matcha soda was one of the simplest health upgrades I’ve ever made.

It gave me:

Steady, calm focus
A refreshing drink I actually enjoy
A ritual that feels good long-term

That’s why I built Luma Matcha Soda — not just as a product, but as a lifestyle shift. For anyone in NZ searching matcha latte nz, matcha powder nz, matcha auckland, or even wondering what does matcha taste like, my advice is simple:

Try matcha soda. It just might change your day the way it changed mine.