If you are caffeine sensitive and would like to drink matcha, you might wonder "since decaf coffee exists, shouldn't decaf matcha too?". But a search online brings you confusion, with lots of "alternative powders" that claim to be decaf matcha. Here is our take:
Not every green powder claiming to be "decaf matcha" actually is real.
Decaf Matcha Alternatives
You might see in the UK, there are powders which are caffeine free such as "Mulberry powder" or "Kuwa matcha".
Mulberry powder is the powder made from from the dried or processed leaves of the mulberry tree. Since it is not made from the traditional tea plant, Camellia sinensis, it a natural caffeine free alternative. In japanese, the translation for Mulberry is kuwa (桑), therefore kuwa matcha and mulberry matcha are interchangeable.
Technically, since matcha can refer to any leaves which has been grounded into matcha, it is marketed as a decaf matcha subsittute or alternative. They will tell you the colour and taste are very similar to matcha, with similar use cases.
It's flavour profile brings out the bitterness first, rather than matcha which usually has a natural bitterness and umami flavour.
These alternatives have merit on their own terms. Mulberry brings its own nutrition profile and its own character. Compared to matcha, the colours are darker and has a more grassy rather than earthy flavour. The problem is it is difficult to replicate the matcha profile because of the bitter tastes, which is a problem within the mulberry industry (Huang et al., 2023).
So to claim that it is decaf matcha, or that it is a legitimate replacement would be misleading and dishonest.
The problem is that consumers desperate for a caffeine-free matcha experience often can't tell the difference until they have already bought it.
Why We Decided to Do It Properly
When we saw this gap and wanted to create genuine decaf matcha that is not a substitute but real ceremonial-grade matcha with the caffeine removed.
Our decaf matcha is on the more floral side, with a whisking profile that is more foamy than than many regular matchas. The best option for those who need to avoid caffeine without sacrificing quality or authenticity.
Enle is the first decaf matcha brand that promises to provide you true decaf matcha, without settling for the alternatives.