Does Matcha Have Caffeine? - Healthline

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Evidence BasedDoes Matcha Contain Caffeine?

Medically reviewed by Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT — Written by Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD — Updated on August 1, 2025

What it is
Amount of caffeine
Caffeine in matcha vs. green tea
How to make it
Bottom line

Matcha is a powdered green tea from the plant Camellia sinensis. It typically contains more caffeine than other types of green tea. But too much caffeine may also have harmful effects.

Matcha is a powdered green tea from the plant Camellia sinensis and is mainly grown in Japan.

Due to the way it’s grown, matcha is very high in antioxidants — compounds that protect against cell damage in the body that may lead to disease.

The caffeine content of matcha also tends to be higher than other varieties of green tea.

This article reviews how much caffeine is in matcha and how to make it.

Matcha powder and a wooden spoon on blue plate. — JOANNA NIXON//Stocksy United

What is caffeine?

Caffeine is a substance naturally found in tea, coffee, and chocolate and acts as a stimulant in the body.

The stimulant properties of caffeine mean that it triggers activity in the central nervous system that translates to feeling energized and alert.

Many people drink beverages with caffeine, like matcha, to boost energy and focus.

Regular caffeine intake may also help reduce the risk of several diseases, such as asthma, type 2 diabetes, kidney stones, and some cancers. However, too much caffeine may also have harmful effects.

While there is no standardized recommendation for caffeine intake, most experts suggest that adults should not consume more than 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per day to avoid potentially negative health effects.

But the amount of caffeine that’s tolerable and beneficial depends on the person. Keep that in mind when incorporating matcha into your diet.

How much caffeine is in matcha?

The caffeine content of matcha can vary based on the type of leaves, how much powder you use to make the tea, and brewing time.

Generally, matcha contains 19 to 44 mg of caffeine per gram (g). A typical serving of matcha is between 2 and 4 g (1/2 to 1 teaspoon), which would then contain anywhere between 38 to 176 mg of caffeine.

For reference, coffee beans have 10 to 12 mg of caffeine per gram. An 8-ounce (240 mL) cup containing 10 g of coffee has roughly 100 mg of caffeine.

So, depending on how concentrated the matcha tea is, a serving of matcha tea could have a lower or higher caffeine content than a serving of coffee.

Caffeine in matcha vs. regular green tea

Matcha is higher in caffeine than regular green tea.

One cup (240 mL) of green tea is estimated to contain about 30 mg of caffeine. A serving of matcha made with 2 to 4 g (1/2 to 1 teaspoon) of powder could have a caffeine content between 38 and 176 mg.

However, the caffeine content of green tea varies depending on the type, freshness, and brewing time.

With 19 to 44 mg of caffeine per gram, matcha is higher in caffeine than most regular green teas.

How to make matcha

To make a cup of matcha tea, you need matcha powder, a mug or cup, hot water, and a bamboo matcha whisk (chasen) or a regular whisk. You may also want to use a small mesh sieve or tea strainer.

Once you have your tools, follow these steps:

Spoon 2 to 4 grams (1/2-1 teaspoon) matcha powder into a tea strainer or small mesh sieve over a mug or cup. Sift the matcha to prevent clumping.
Pour a small amount of hot water on top of the powder. Whisk the powder in the water until it gets foamy on top.
Add the rest of the hot water.
Enjoy!

If you’d like something a bit more filling or nutritious, why not incorporate some matcha in a delicious matcha mint shake? This drink is high in protein, fiber, and it’s a perfect breakfast on the go.

Get the recipe »

The bottom line

Matcha tea is a type of green tea that contains caffeine.

It is higher in caffeine than most regular green teas and may contain more caffeine than coffee, depending on how much powder you use. However, matcha’s caffeine also varies depending on type, freshness, and brewing time.

You can drink matcha tea for a caffeine boost. It’s easy to make at home, or you can find it at some coffee shops and cafes.

Just one thing

Try this today: Make a homemade latte with matcha. After whisking matcha with a little bit of hot water, add steamed milk of your choice. To sweeten it, you can add some maple syrup, honey, or brown sugar.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Jakubczyk K, et al. (2020). Antioxidant properties and nutritional composition of matcha green tea. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7231151/
Koláčková T, et al. (2020). Matcha tea: Analysis of nutritional composition, phenolics and antioxidant activity. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31832980/
Kochman J, et al. (2020). Health benefits and chemical composition of matcha green tea: A review. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7796401/
Poole R, et al. (2017). Coffee consumption and health: Umbrella review of meta-analyses of multiple health outcomes. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5696634/
Reddy VS, et al. (2024). Pharmacology of caffeine and its effects on the human body. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772417424000104
Rodak K, et al. (2021). Caffeine as a factor influencing the functioning of the human body — friend or foe?https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8467199/
Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much? (2024). https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-too-much
Temple JL, et al. (2017). The safety of ingested caffeine: A comprehensive review.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5445139/

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Evidence Based

This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by experts.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and to present both sides of the argument.

This article contains scientific references. The numbers in the parentheses (1, 2, 3) are clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific papers.

Medically reviewed by Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT — Written by Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD — Updated on August 1, 2025

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What is caffeine?

How much caffeine is in matcha?

Caffeine in matcha vs. regular green tea

How to make matcha

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