Yes, matcha contains caffeine. Because you drink the whole ground leaf rather than an infusion, a bowl of matcha usually has more caffeine than a cup of regular green tea, and often a little less than a mug of coffee. How much exactly depends on how much powder you use.

How much caffeine is in matcha?

Laboratory analyses report roughly 19 to 44 mg of caffeine per gram of matcha powder (Kochman et al., 2020). The amount varies with the tea plants, the harvest and the grade.

A traditional bowl uses 1 to 2 g of matcha, about one or two bamboo scoops. That works out to roughly:

• 1 g: about 20 to 45 mg
• 2 g, our usual serving: about 40 to 90 mg
• 4 g, a very strong serving: about 75 to 175 mg

Matcha vs coffee

An 8 oz (240 ml) cup of brewed coffee typically contains 80 to 100 mg of caffeine, according to the US Food and Drug Administration. A standard 2 g bowl of matcha is usually in the same range as a cup of coffee or somewhat below it, while a light 1 g bowl has less than half.

Matcha also contains L-theanine, an amino acid found in tea leaves. Shade-grown first harvest leaves, the kind used for ceremonial grade matcha, are especially rich in it. Many people say matcha feels different from coffee, but everyone reacts to caffeine differently, so the best guide is how you feel.

Does a matcha latte have caffeine?

Yes, exactly as much as the matcha you put in it. Milk adds no caffeine and takes none away, so a latte made with 2 g of matcha has about 40 to 90 mg. At our Kyoto store we serve hot and iced matcha lattes made with the same ceremonial grade matcha we whisk in the bowl. Our guide How to make matcha shows how to make both at home.

Can I drink matcha in the evening?

Matcha is a caffeinated drink, so if you are sensitive to caffeine, treat it like coffee: drink it in the morning or early afternoon, or use less powder. For an evening cup, many people in Japan reach for hojicha, a roasted green tea with a mellow, toasty taste that is often served with dinner.

How much caffeine is too much?

The FDA cites 400 mg a day as an amount not generally associated with negative effects for healthy adults. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, sensitive to caffeine or taking medication, ask your doctor what is right for you.

Our matcha

Asayu matcha is ceremonial grade, stone-ground from first harvest leaves. Choose our JAS organic Mt Fuji matcha, the ceremonial grade 30g tin, or the 100g pouch if you make lattes every day. New to matcha? Our matcha sets include the bowl, whisk, scoop and matcha. See the full matcha collection.

Sources: Kochman J. et al., "Health Benefits and Chemical Composition of Matcha Green Tea: A Review", Molecules, 2020; US Food and Drug Administration, "Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?"; USDA FoodData Central.