Matcha dates back somewhere between the 8th and 12th centuries. The drink has become increasingly popular for its caffeine content, flavor, bright green color, and numerous health benefits. But how much caffeine is in matcha?
Matcha is more potent than standard green tea varieties, typically containing 19 to 44 mg of caffeine per gram. But this depends on the leaves, the amount of powder, and brewing time. One cup of matcha tea may have 38-176 mg of caffeine, while an 8 oz cup of coffee has around 100 mg.
Adding matcha to your diet is an easy way to spice things up and increase the number of nutrients you consume. Don’t feel intimidated if you’ve never had this bright green drink before, as we cover everything you need to know in the article below.
How is Matcha Made?

Matcha (on Amazon) is a variety of green tea from Japan and is derived from the Camellia sinensis plant. Camellia sinensis is the same plant from which black, white, and other green tea varieties originate.
Matcha is broken down green tea leaves that are stone-ground into a fine powder. The powder is sifted and whisked with hot water with a special bamboo matcha whisk (chasen).
Cultivators grow matcha by protecting their tea plants 20 to 30 days before harvesting to prevent direct sunlight. This method increases chlorophyll production and amino acid content and gives the drink a darker green color.
Matcha contains high amounts of antioxidants due to the way it’s grown and has higher caffeine content than other varieties of green tea.
How Much Caffeine is in Matcha?
The amount of caffeine in a cup of matcha depends on the variety of leaves, the amount of powder, and the brewing time. However, matcha usually contains 19 to 44 mg of caffeine per gram.
Regular servings of matcha are between 2-4 grams, meaning there’s 38-176 mg of caffeine in one cup. Depending on how potent you brew your matcha, one serving could have more or less caffeine than a standard cup of coffee.
Matcha vs. Regular Green Tea: Which Has More Caffeine?
Matcha contains higher amounts of caffeine per gram than most types of green tea.
One glass of green tea, or 240 mL, contains roughly 30 mg of caffeine. A typical serving of matcha with two to four grams of powder may have 38 to 176 mg of caffeine.
With these numbers in mind, one cup of matcha could have five times the amount of caffeine compared to one cup of green tea.
That being said, some studies have found that the caffeine in green tea can range between 20-90 mg per cup. So, all in all, matcha is still more potent than regular green tea.
What are the Health Benefits of Drinking Matcha?

Matcha has been around for centuries and has gained tremendous amounts of popularity. The powder includes nutrients from the entire tea leaf, producing greater amounts of caffeine and antioxidants than other green tea varieties.
In addition, matcha has several other health benefits, making it an excellent coffee substitute.
High in Antioxidants
Matcha has concentrated amounts of antioxidants, which can help reduce cell damage and prevent chronic disease. The main antioxidant is catechins, which is a type of plant compound found in tea varieties.
Antioxidants aid in stabilizing free radicals, which are harmful compounds that damage cells and cause chronic health conditions.
Additionally, making hot matcha includes nutrients from the whole leaf. Because matcha uses the entire leaf, it tends to have more catechins and antioxidants than steeping standard green tea.
Improves Brain Function
Several studies indicate that different factors in matcha may improve brain function. For example, one study found that matcha can improve attention, reaction time, and memory.
Other studies found that ingesting two grams of green tea powder improved brain function in older adults over two months.
Matcha also has higher amounts of caffeine than standard green tea varieties. Caffeine has been linked to enhanced brain function, faster reaction speeds, improved attention, and enhanced memory.
Finally, matcha powder includes L-theanine, a compound that transforms the effects of caffeine, increasing alertness and preventing caffeine crashes.
Some studies have also linked L-theanine to increased alpha-wave activity in the brain, which might improve relaxation and reduce stress levels.
May Improve Heart Health
Many studies have linked green tea and matcha to a decrease in various heart disease risk factors. For example, one study found that green tea can reduce levels of harmful LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Combining matcha with a holistic diet and lifestyle may reduce your risk of heart disease and keep you healthy.
Can Improve Weight Loss
Many weight loss supplements contain “green tea extract” because it has a reputation for improving weight loss. In addition, multiple studies link green tea and green tea extract to faster metabolisms.
One study linked green tea extract to an increase in fat burning during moderate exercise by 17%. Another review of 11 studies linked green tea to slightly reduced body weight and improved weight loss maintenance.
Although these studies concentrated on green tea extract, matcha should have similar effects.
May Reduce the Risk of Cancer
Matcha is chock full of health-improving compounds, and some have been linked to preventing cancer in some studies. For example, one study found that green tea extract reduced tumor size and slowed the growth of certain cancers in rats.
What’s more is that matcha has significant amounts of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a type of catechin that has been proven to have potent anti-cancer elements.
In fact, a test tube study linked EGCG in matcha to killing off prostate cancer cells. Other studies indicated that EGCG fights skin, lung, and liver cancer.
Although additional research is necessary, incorporating matcha into your diet may reduce cancer risks and harmful conditions.
How Do You Make Matcha?
Making a cup of matcha tea is a straightforward process. The recipe requires matcha powder, a mug, hot water, a bamboo matcha whisk (chasen), or a standard whisk.
You can also incorporate a mesh sieve or tea strainer if you like.
After gathering your equipment, use the steps below to make a cup of matcha tea:
- Scoop 2-4 grams (½-1 teaspoon) of matcha powder into your tea strainer or tiny mesh sieve.
- Place the tool over your mug or glass. Be sure to sift the powder to reduce clumps.
- Now, pour some hot water over the top of the matcha powder.
- Whisk the matcha and water until you see foam on the top. This step should take less than 90 seconds.
- Finally, add the remaining hot water and enjoy your glass of hot matcha tea.