How Much Caffeine Does Matcha Contain? Compared to Coffee and Green Tea

Matcha has become one of the most popular alternatives to coffee, and one of the most common questions we get is how much caffeine it actually contains. Here we go through the numbers and compare them with coffee and regular green tea.

Does Matcha Contain Caffeine?

Yes, matcha naturally contains caffeine. When you drink matcha, you consume the entire finely ground tea leaf, unlike regular green tea where the leaves are only steeped and then discarded. That is why a cup of matcha normally contains more caffeine than a cup of regular green tea, even though both come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis.

How Much Caffeine Is in Matcha?

The caffeine content varies depending on quality, amount of powder and how the drink is prepared. As a general guideline:

• One serving of matcha (approx. 2 g powder / 1 heaped teaspoon): approximately 40–70 mg of caffeine
• A cup of drip coffee: approximately 80–120 mg of caffeine
• A double espresso: approximately 120–150 mg of caffeine
• A cup of regular green tea: approximately 20–45 mg of caffeine

A matcha latte made with 2 g of matcha powder therefore contains roughly half as much caffeine as a cup of drip coffee.

What Else Is in Matcha?

Besides caffeine, matcha contains the amino acid L-theanine, which is naturally found in tea leaves. Ceremonial grade matcha, like Zenzi Matcha, is made from the youngest tea leaves, which are shade-grown before harvest. This gives a higher content of L-theanine and amino acids, which contributes to matcha’s natural sweetness, umami and deep green colour.

How Much Matcha Should I Use?

For a classic cup of matcha or a matcha latte, 2 g of powder is enough. If you want a milder drink, you can use a little less, or dilute it with more water or milk.

Summary

A serving of matcha contains around 40–70 mg of caffeine. That is more than regular green tea but roughly half of a cup of drip coffee, which makes matcha a popular choice if you want to swap your coffee for something with a different flavour and ritual.

Curious to try it? Zenzi ceremonial grade matcha comes from Japan and is made to taste great both on its own and in a latte.