We often think of matcha as a daytime drink, a natural pick-me-up that helps us feel calm yet alert, centred yet energised. But here’s something surprising: matcha may also support better sleep.
Yes, really.
At Midori Matcha, we love exploring the deeper, and sometimes unexpected benefits of this beautiful Japanese tea. In each journal entry, we’ll pair one popular benefit of matcha with one lesser-known effect. Today’s focus: energy and sleep, the perfect paradox.
☘️ The Well-Known Benefit: Calm, Sustained Energy
Matcha is rich in L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxed alertness, and caffeine, which provides a slow-release energy boost. Together, they create a uniquely balanced effect: focused without the crash, energised without the jitters.
That’s why Zen monks in Japan drank matcha before long meditations. And why samurai sipped it before battle, not to get hyped, but to stay centred and sharp. Matcha helped them enter a state of calm readiness, where presence was more important than power.
🌙 The Surprising Benefit: Support for Better Sleep
This may seem surprising, given matcha contains caffeine. But again, it’s the synergy with L-theanine that makes the difference. L-theanine is known to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and help regulate mood, all of which contribute to better sleep over time.
A 2024 clinical study published in Nutrients found that matcha consumption was linked to greater sleep satisfaction and revitalisation upon waking, despite no major change in EEG sleep data.
👉 Read the study here
Another 2024 study, this time over 12 months in older adults, observed better emotional regulation and a trend toward improved sleep quality after daily matcha intake.
👉 Read the study here
In short, while matcha won’t act as a sleep aid in the way herbal teas might, its daytime consumption may contribute to more restful, quality sleep over time, especially when used mindfully.
🫖 A Gentle Matcha Wind-Down Drink (Afternoon Ritual)
While we don’t recommend drinking matcha too close to bedtime, especially if you're sensitive to caffeine, it can still support restfulness earlier in the day, thanks to its unique calming properties.
Try this as a mid-afternoon pause, a moment to reset, slow down, and prepare your body and mind for a more restful evening ahead:
Calming Matcha Afternoon Cup
- 1g of matcha (a lighter, mellow flavour like our sakura or cinnamon)
- Warm (not boiling) water — around 70–80°C
- A splash of milk
- Optional: a little honey for natural sweetness
Whisk slowly and sip mindfully, it’s a soothing ritual that pairs calm with clarity.
If you’re caffeine-sensitive, we recommend enjoying matcha before 2pm to give your body time to fully process the caffeine and avoid it interfering with your natural sleep cycle. Even small changes in timing can make a big difference in how refreshed you feel the next day.
🧡 Our Philosophy: Pure Matcha for Real Benefits
All our matcha is either certified organic or pesticide-free because we believe purity matters, especially when you’re building rituals around wellbeing. Whether you’re drinking it for energy or relaxation (or both), you deserve the real thing, no fillers, no flavourings, no artificial shortcuts.
We’ll be sharing more entries in this series soon, exploring matcha’s well-known and often overlooked benefits. Until then, sleep well, and sip slowly.
