Decaf matcha is a game-changer for tea lovers seeking the health benefits of matcha without the caffeine buzz. During the last three months, I’ve stopped drinking caffeine completely (see blog: I Quit Caffeine for Three Months, Here’s What Happened), but I was missing my matcha fix. So today, I compared two stand-out decaf options head-to head: DoMatcha Masters Decaf Matcha and Grin Mood Ceremonial Decaf Matcha.
A budget-friendly South Korean decaf matcha that blends well into matcha lattes
If you enjoy your matcha as a latte or in baked goods, and are looking for an option to sip on in the evenings (or are caffeine sensitive), Grin Mood Decaf Matcha is an affordable option I would highly recommend. Just don’t expect it to taste like a Ceremonial matcha from Japan. It has higher tannin content, which means it doesn’t taste balanced on its own and needs blended.
See full review: Grin Mood Ceremonial Decaf Matcha
A standout, umami-rich Japanese decaf matcha at a higher price point
If you are a caffeine-sensitive matcha lover, and looking for a decaf. option to sip on in the evening, on it’s own (vs. as a latte / baking), and are able to afford the higher price point, DoMatcha Master’s Decaf blend is for you. Per DoMatcha, this was the first decaffeinated matcha on the market.
See full review: DoMatcha Master’s Decaf Matcha
Which decaf matcha tastes better?
DoMatcha Master’s Decaf matcha has a smooth and silky texture, and is an incredible easy to drink decaffeinated matcha. It has an umami sweet grass taste and is the most balanced decaf. matcha I have tasted before. Grin Mood Ceremonial has a grippy texture due to a high tannin content. It tastes bitter and astringent on its own. Even for review purposes, I was not able to finish the tasting I made, and so I turned it into a matcha latte instead.
Winner: DoMatcha Master’s Decaf Matcha
Which decaf matcha is higher quality?
Judging by the color, smell, texture, and taste, DoMatcha is the winner here. The matcha is fresher, and they use tencha leaves, which is more labor intensive, but produces higher l-theanine content.
Winner: DoMatcha Master’s Decaf Matcha
Which decaf matcha has the least caffeine?
DoMatcha Master’s Decaf has only 6 milligrams of caffeine per 1/2 tsp of matcha. Grin Mood Ceremonial Decaf Matcha has only .48mg of caffeine per 1/2 tsp of matcha. In comparison, an 8 0z cup of decaffeinated coffee typically contains 2-5 mg of caffeine.
Winner: Grin Mood Ceremonial Matcha
Which decaf matcha is healthier?
Both DoMatcha and Grin Mood are healthy decaffeinated matcha options. It’s hard to say which matcha is healthier, although we can make some assumptions here:
Grin Mood Decaf:
- Grin Mood Ceremonial is more astringent and bitter, meaning it has higher tannin levels, which means it likely has a high antioxidant / EGCG content, which is good for folks that are drinking matcha for health reasons. This also means it may be lower in l-theanine content.
- Grin Mood does not specify their decaffeination process, on Amazon they state that their matcha “does not go through a chemical decaffeination process. Instead, it is naturally low in caffeine due to the careful cultivation and organic farming methods used. The tea leaves used to produce our matcha are grown in a pristine environment, using only organic practices without any chemical additives.”
DoMatcha Decaf:
- DoMatcha Master’s has a smoother umami taste, which means it likely has more l-theanine, chlorophyll and amino acids, which also have health benefits. The smoother taste could be because DoMatcha uses only tencha leaves, which is more labor intensive, but produces higher l-theanine content.
- DoMatcha uses a clean water-only decaffeination process.
Winner: Tie
Which decaf matcha is best overall?
DoMatcha excels in authenticity and rich taste, while Grin Mood offers a budget-friendly alternative. Choose DoMatcha for tradition and depth, or Grin Mood for value and mixing as a matcha latte.
See full reviews:
Also see my related blog post: I Quit Caffeine for Three Months, Here’s What Happened