Does Matcha Have Caffeine In It? Amount And Effects
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Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R.D. — Written by Mary West — Updated on February 9, 2023- About matcha
- Caffeine content
- Factors
- Vs. other drinks
- Effects
- Summary
Matcha typically contains around 18.9– 44.4 milligrams of caffeine per gram of tea (mg/g). This is more caffeine than other types of green tea. It also contains antioxidants such as vitamin C, quercetin, and l-theanine.
Unlike other types of green tea, which consist of tea leaves a person infuses in water, matcha consists of powdered tea leaves. Because of this, matcha has a higher caffeine content than some other types of tea.
Read on to learn more about how much caffeine is in matcha tea, how different factors affect the caffeine content, and what to do if a person has consumed too much.
What is matcha?
Share on PinterestMatcha is a type of green tea. It originates in Japan and comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. This is the same plant that black, white, and other types of green tea come from.
However, matcha growers produce the tea in a traditional way, covering the tea plants with bamboo mats for most of the growing season to shade them from direct sunlight.
Shading enables the tea plants to produce higher amounts of amino acids and antioxidant compounds than non-matcha green tea. Manufacturers then turn the tea leaves into a powder. It has a vibrant green color and a unique, non-bitter taste.
Does matcha powder contain caffeine?
The caffeine content of matcha varies depending on the source of the leaves and how strong a person makes their tea. However, it is generally quite high.
Matcha contains between 18.9 and 44.4 milligrams of caffeine per gram of tea (mg/g). For comparison, most coffee beans contain around 10–12 mg/g of caffeine.
However, the caffeine content of these beverages per cup depends on how a person makes them.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that matcha can contain between 1 and 4 g of tea powder. Assuming a person makes strong matcha with 4 g of powder, the caffeine content for one cup would be between 75.6 and 177.6 mg.
What affects the caffeine content of matcha?
The following factors affect the caffeine content of matcha tea:
- the quantity of matcha powder a person uses
- the temperature of the water
- the age of the tea leaves
- the time of harvesting
Using more matcha powder and higher temperatures will increase the amount of caffeine per cup while using less powder or less hot water will have the opposite effect.
Using milk to brew the tea will not reduce the caffeine content any more than water.
How does matcha compare to other drinks?
According to research from 2021, matcha contains more caffeine per gram than coffee and other teas. However, how people make or brew their tea and coffee significantly impacts the caffeine content per cup.
The following table compares the amounts of caffeine in several popular caffeinated beverages.
Caffeine comparison per gram
The figures below show how much caffeine each substance contains per gram of tea leaves or coffee beans:
| Type of drink | Caffeine content per gram |
|---|---|
| Matcha | 18.9–44.4 mg/g |
| Green tea | 11.3–24.67 mg/g |
| Black tea | 14.3–34.8 mg/g |
| Coffee | 10–12 mg/g |
Caffeine comparison per cup
The figures below show the average amount of caffeine per cup in these four beverages:
| Beverage | Caffeine content per cup |
|---|---|
| Matcha | around 75.6 to 177.6 mg |
| Green tea | 30–40 mg |
| Black tea | 64–112 mg |
| Coffee | 80–100 mg |
Effects of caffeine
Some people tolerate caffeine well and may only notice a small increase in energy and focus when they drink matcha tea. Others may experience side effects.
Some potential signs a person is experiencing side effects from caffeine include:
- anxiety or “jitters”
- fast heartbeat
- nausea
- headache
- difficulty sleeping
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others. People with underlying heart and other conditions may also be more vulnerable to the effects.
If a person experiences symptoms from consuming too much caffeine, it may help to:
- drink lots of water
- eat food
- go for a gentle walk to reduce anxiety
- take deep breaths from the diaphragm to promote calmness
- do something to distract them from the anxiety, such as reading a book or watching a movie
Although rare, caffeine overdose is possible. If a person experiences confusion, hallucinations, difficulty breathing, convulsions, or other severe symptoms, they should dial 911 for emergency help.
Summary
Matcha contains caffeine. The amount depends on a number of factors, including the age of the tea leaves and the amount of matcha powder a person uses. However, it generally has more caffeine in it than other types of tea.
Some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others. To gauge tolerance, a person may wish to make a cup with only half a teaspoon at first. If they tolerate this dose well, they could start to increase the amount of matcha in their cup if they prefer a stronger tea.
- Nutrition / Diet
How we reviewed this article:
SourcesMedical News Today 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.- Jówko, E. (2015). Chapter 8: Green tea catechins and sport performance.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK299060/
- Kochman, J., et al. (2020). Health benefits and chemical composition of matcha green tea: A review.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7796401/
- Spilling the beans: How much caffeine is too much? (2018).https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-too-much
- Tea and cancer prevention. (2010).https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/tea-fact-sheet
- Temple, J. L., et al. (2017). The safety of ingested caffeine: A comprehensive review.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5445139/
- Tfouni, S. A. V., et al. (2017). Caffeine in teas: Levels, transference to infusion and estimated intake.https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/1391/a743028e6e05d4a10d370054167708fa4a75.pdf?_ga=2.35161636.428621288.1659631713-309844056.1659631713
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Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R.D. — Written by Mary West — Updated on February 9, 2023Latest news
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