Does Matcha Have Caffeine? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes — a standard 1 teaspoon (240 ml prepared) serving of matcha contains 70 mg of caffeine.
- 70 mg: the dataset value for matcha (1 tsp, 240 ml).
- Matcha has less caffeine than a 240 ml cup of drip coffee (96 mg) but more than typical green tea (28 mg).
- After 6 hours roughly ~34 mg remains from a 70 mg matcha dose (population half-life ≈ 5.7 h).
- FDA safe-limit guidance: 400 mg/day for healthy adults; pregnancy guidance ≈ 200 mg/day.
Caffeine levels in matcha tea
The dataset lists Matcha (1 tsp) prepared to 240 ml as containing 70 mg of caffeine. That figure is useful as a standard benchmark: the powder is the whole tea leaf, so caffeine is present in every scoop you whisk into water. If you use more than 1 teaspoon of powder, caffeine scales roughly proportionally; halve the powder and the caffeine halves.
Matcha vs coffee and other drinks
Matcha sits between brewed green tea and regular coffee on a per-cup basis. Because serving sizes and extraction differ, compare on the same volume (here many dataset drinks use 240 ml or close equivalents):
| Drink (serving) | Volume | Caffeine (mg) |
|---|---|---|
| Matcha (1 tsp) | 240 ml | 70 mg |
| Green tea | 240 ml | 28 mg |
| Black tea | 240 ml | 47 mg |
| Drip coffee | 240 ml | 96 mg |
| Pour over | 240 ml | 145 mg |
| Cold brew | 240 ml | 200 mg |
| Espresso (single) | 30 ml | 63 mg |
| Yerba mate | 240 ml | 85 mg |
| Red Bull (250 ml) | 250 ml | 80 mg |
Note: espresso delivers a lot of caffeine in a small volume (single shot = 63 mg), while cold brew concentrates more caffeine per 240 ml. Matcha's 70 mg occupies a middle ground: stronger than most brewed teas, milder than many coffees by volume.
How matcha's caffeine differs biologically
Matcha is powdered whole-leaf green tea; you ingest leaf solids (caffeine, catechins, and L-theanine) rather than just an infusion. The combination of caffeine plus L-theanine is often associated in clinical commentary (Mayo Clinic, small trials) with a calmer, more focused alertness compared with coffee's rapid spike and fall. The dataset doesn't include L-theanine values, but the mechanism—slower perceived onset and smoother decline—comes from consuming the whole leaf.
Decay math: how much remains over time
Use the population-average caffeine half-life of 5.7 hours to estimate how matcha's 70 mg declines:
| Time after drinking | Approx. % remaining | Mg remaining (from 70 mg) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 hours | 100% | 70 mg |
| 3 hours | ~69% | ~48 mg |
| 6 hours | ~48% | ~34 mg |
| 9 hours | ~33% | ~23 mg |
| 12 hours | ~23% | ~16 mg |
These are population averages. Individual metabolism, medications, liver function, age, and smoking status alter half-life. For sleep planning, many people avoid caffeine 6–8 hours before bedtime to reduce sleep disruption.
Brewing, serving and controlling caffeine
Powder amount
The dataset anchor is 1 teaspoon → 70 mg. If you use 2 teaspoons, expect roughly 140 mg; half a teaspoon would be ~35 mg. We recommend measuring scoops rather than “eyeballing” to control intake reliably.
Water volume and dilution
Water volume doesn't change total caffeine when the same powder is used; it changes concentration (mg per 100 ml). A larger drink dilutes the caffeine but does not reduce the milligrams consumed unless you use less powder.
Grade and leaf source
Leaf cultivar, shading, harvest time and processing affect caffeine per gram. The dataset lists one standard value; different brands and ceremonial vs. culinary grades can vary—track exact servings with an app like CoffeeLog to know total daily intake.
Health, safety and timing
Authoritative guidance: the FDA cites about 400 mg/day as a safe upper limit for most healthy adults; many pregnancy guidance sources and EFSA recommend limiting caffeine in pregnancy to about 200 mg/day. The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages caffeine and energy drink use by adolescents. Symptoms of excess intake include jitteriness, rapid heartbeat, insomnia, and gastrointestinal upset. For suspected overdose or severe symptoms, seek medical attention.
Practical next steps
If you drink matcha regularly, log each prepared serving (use the dataset value of 70 mg per 1 tsp) to keep daily totals below recommended limits. CoffeeLog and other trackers let you record scoop counts and time of consumption to see cumulative mg and predicted remaining caffeine at bedtime.
Caveat
This page is informational, not medical advice. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, or have cardiovascular or anxiety conditions, consult your healthcare provider about safe caffeine limits.
Frequently asked questions
Does matcha have more caffeine than green tea?
Yes. The dataset lists matcha (1 tsp, 240 ml) at 70 mg versus green tea at 28 mg per 240 ml—so matcha contains more caffeine per cup because you consume powdered leaf rather than just an infusion.
Is matcha stronger than coffee?
Per 240 ml, matcha (70 mg) is milder than many coffees (drip coffee 96 mg, pour over 145 mg, cold brew 200 mg). Espresso packs similar caffeine in much smaller volume (single shot = 63 mg).
How much matcha equals one cup of coffee?
Using dataset numbers, one 240 ml cup of drip coffee (96 mg) contains ~1.4 times the caffeine of a 240 ml matcha (70 mg). Roughly 1.4 teaspoons of matcha would match that caffeine—scale powder proportionally.
Will matcha keep me awake at night?
Possibly. With a half-life of about 5.7 hours, a 70 mg dose leaves ~34 mg after 6 hours. If you are sensitive, avoid matcha within 6–8 hours of bedtime to reduce sleep disruption.
Is matcha safe during pregnancy?
Pregnancy guidance generally recommends limiting caffeine to about 200 mg/day. One 1 tsp matcha serving (70 mg) fits within that limit if total daily caffeine remains below ~200 mg; confirm with your clinician.
Can I drink matcha every day?
Yes, daily matcha is common, but track total daily caffeine. For most healthy adults the FDA guidance is up to 400 mg/day; keep cumulative intake from matcha plus other sources below that, or follow your clinician's advice.