Does matcha have more caffeine than coffee?

Not necessarily. Caffeine content varies by serving, product and preparation. Coffee often contains more caffeine per typical serving, but matcha can still provide a substantial amount.

Does matcha have caffeine like green tea?

Yes. Both contain naturally occurring caffeine because both come from the same tea plant. Matcha differs because the powdered leaf is consumed rather than simply steeped and discarded.

Can matcha keep you awake at night?

It can. Matcha contains caffeine, and people who are sensitive to caffeine may experience sleep disruption if they consume it too close to bedtime.

Does matcha have caffeine if it is labeled decaffeinated?

Decaffeinated tea generally contains less caffeine rather than absolutely none. The FDA notes that decaffeinated coffee and tea can still contain some caffeine. FDA caffeine guidance.

Does Matcha Have Caffeine? What to Know

Q: How much caffeine is in matcha?

There is no universal amount. One human study using 2.07 grams of matcha reported approximately 72.5 mg of caffeine, but actual products can vary.

Reviewed by the HyaluFlow Health Editorial Team | Published: September 19, 2026 | Last Updated: September 19, 2026

Quick Answer: Does matcha have caffeine? Yes. Matcha naturally contains caffeine because it is made from powdered Camellia sinensis leaves. Unlike regular brewed green tea, matcha uses the ground tea leaf itself, so you consume the leaf and its naturally occurring compounds.

The amount of caffeine varies depending on the amount of matcha powder used, the product and preparation method. One clinical study using 2.07 grams of matcha reported approximately 72.5 mg of caffeine in that amount. A review of human and animal research on matcha discusses this study and its caffeine content.

So, if you are sensitive to caffeine or trying to reduce your intake, matcha should still count toward your daily caffeine consumption.

Key Takeaways

Does matcha have caffeine? Yes, naturally.
The caffeine content varies with serving size, product and preparation.
Matcha also contains L-theanine and other tea compounds.
Matcha can provide a meaningful source of caffeine without being the same as coffee.
Matcha is not caffeine-free unless specifically formulated or processed to remove most caffeine.
Caffeine sensitivity varies from person to person.
The FDA notes that caffeine levels can vary substantially between products and serving sizes.

How Much Caffeine Is in Matcha?

There is no single caffeine number that applies to every cup of matcha. The amount depends on how much powder is used and the characteristics of the tea.

In one human study discussed in a scientific review, participants consumed 2.07 grams of matcha containing approximately 72.5 mg of caffeine. That gives a useful example of how much caffeine a prepared serving can contain, but it should not be treated as a universal value for every matcha product. The published review provides details of the matcha preparation and caffeine content used in the study.

The FDA also emphasizes that caffeine amounts can vary among foods and beverages and recommends checking product information when available. The FDA explains why caffeine levels vary between products and serving sizes.

Why Does Matcha Have Caffeine?

Matcha comes from the same tea plant used to make green, black and other traditional teas. The plant naturally produces caffeine as one of its bioactive compounds.

Matcha is distinctive because the tea leaves are grown, processed and ground into a fine powder. Instead of steeping the leaves and discarding them, you consume the powdered leaf when drinking matcha.

Scientific reviews identify caffeine, L-theanine and catechins among the important bioactive compounds found in matcha. A 2023 review in Food Research International discusses matcha's chemical composition and its caffeine, theanine and catechin content.

Matcha vs. Coffee: Which Has More Caffeine?

Whether matcha or coffee contains more caffeine depends on the specific serving. Coffee can contain substantially more caffeine in a typical serving, but matcha can still provide enough caffeine to produce noticeable effects in caffeine-sensitive people.

Comparisons should therefore be based on the actual serving size rather than assuming that every cup of matcha or coffee contains a fixed amount.

The FDA notes that caffeine content varies between products, so checking the manufacturer's nutrition information is the most reliable way to determine the caffeine content of a specific packaged drink.

Matcha vs. Green Tea

Matcha and regular green tea both come from Camellia sinensis, but they are prepared differently. Regular green tea is typically brewed by steeping leaves in water, while matcha is made by suspending powdered tea leaf in water.

This means matcha provides the compounds contained in the consumed powder rather than only those extracted into the brewing water.

A scientific review notes that matcha's processing and preparation can influence its chemical composition, including caffeine and L-theanine levels. Research reviewing matcha's composition explains how cultivation and processing affect its bioactive compounds.

Does Matcha Give You Energy?

Because matcha contains caffeine, it can increase alertness and contribute to the feeling of increased energy associated with caffeine consumption.

Matcha also contains L-theanine, an amino acid naturally present in tea. Researchers have studied caffeine and L-theanine together because their combination may influence attention and certain aspects of cognitive performance.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that the combination of theanine and caffeine may produce small-to-moderate improvements in some attention and mood measures, although the researchers emphasized uncertainty and the need for further research using actual tea beverages and realistic doses. Read the 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis.

Can You Drink Matcha at Night?

If caffeine affects your sleep, drinking matcha close to bedtime may not be a good choice. The appropriate cutoff varies because people differ considerably in caffeine sensitivity and how quickly they process caffeine.

Someone who is highly sensitive to caffeine may prefer matcha earlier in the day, while another person may tolerate it later without noticeable effects.

If you regularly experience difficulty sleeping after caffeinated beverages, moving matcha earlier in the day is a simple way to test whether timing makes a difference.

Is Matcha Healthy?

Matcha contains catechins, L-theanine, caffeine and other compounds that have been studied for potential health effects. However, research on specific long-term health outcomes is still developing, and evidence for some claimed benefits remains limited.

A review of matcha research found evidence suggesting possible effects on areas such as cognition and stress, but concluded that more research is needed for many health claims. Read the scientific review of matcha's potential health effects.

That makes matcha a reasonable beverage to include in a balanced diet, but it should not be treated as a cure or replacement for medical treatment.

The Bottom Line

Does matcha have caffeine? Yes. Matcha naturally contains caffeine, and the amount can vary substantially depending on the serving size, product and preparation.

Matcha also contains L-theanine and other compounds found in green tea, making its chemical profile different from coffee. However, the presence of L-theanine does not make matcha caffeine-free.

If you enjoy matcha, the practical approach is to consider it a caffeinated beverage, monitor how your body responds and check the product information when you want a more precise estimate of your caffeine intake.