Why Matcha Is The New Coffee (And We Aren't Mad About It)
For all my fellow mildly over-caffeinated college students
BY Sydney Goldberger ★ April 24th, 2025
photo by: sydney goldberger
Let's be real - college students have been living off caffeine since the beginning of time, and rightfully so. Whether it's waking up and using the Nespresso machine or cracking open an ice cold Celsius from your mini fridge, caffeine is always the answer. It’s the fuel behind late-night study sessions, early morning lectures, and every “I swear I’m fine” group project meltdown.
But lately, there’s a new caffeinated drink in town that’s been slowly taking over— and it’s not a dark roast triple shot cold brew.
It’s matcha.
Yes, I am talking about the green stuff. And no, it’s not just for wellness influencers and people who wake up at 5am to do yoga at sunrise. Matcha is legit, and I’m here to make the case for why it might just be the perfect option for you.
One of the biggest reasons I started drinking Matcha is because of the calm caffeine kick it gives. We all know that coffee gives you that instant jolt of energy, but with that instant boost comes jittery hands, random anxiety, and a dreaded afternoon crash. Matcha, on the other hand, gives you a smoother version of energy, one that grows and lasts over a longer period of time.
If coffee still owns your soul, I get it, I am the same exact way. If you’re feeling the need to mix things up, matcha is a solid alternative. It tastes a little grassy at first (not going to sugarcoat it), but once you find your style—hot, iced, sweetened, blended—it will totally grow on you.
Caffeine is basically a survival tool in college. Between classes, deadlines, and everything in between, we all need a boost just to function. Matcha gives you that lift—but without the crash or chaos. Adding it into the mix gives you energy that helps you stay focused, because at the end of the day cutting caffeine is never the answer. It’s about making it work better for you.
And if we are being honest–part of matcha’s popularity isn’t just about the energy. It’s the aesthetic. The appeal partially comes from the pastel pink cups from Cha Cha Matcha with Strawberry Cold Foam on top. There are so many fun, personalized ways to make matcha your own thing, whether it is blended, iced, sweetened, with oat milk, or decked out with whipped foam and fruit garnishes.
So go ahead—keep the coffee, add the matcha, and let caffeine finally work in your favor.
P.S. Not totally sold on the whole matcha thing yet? No worries—you can still ride the trend without diving in headfirst. Start with a Starbucks Iced Matcha Latte topped with Strawberry Cold Foam—it’s the perfect barely-matcha matcha order. Still not ready to sip? Try easing in with Van Leeuwen’s new Strawberry Matcha Latte Ice Cream, in collaboration with Kettl Tea. Ice cream’s the gateway, but consider this your warning: it is unexpectedly addictive.