Since writing our last caffeine guide to lattes and other popular coffee drinks, there’s been a huge shake up in the industry. Has coffee met its matcha? Let’s take a look:
The world of Matcha vs Coffee
It has been hard to ignore the meteoric rise of the green hued drink. It can be found clutched in special edition Kitkats and the photographed hands of gen Z across the globe, being touted as the latest IT ingredient to cure all ills. But how does it match up to our beloved coffee? It’s time for the great caffeine show down of the decade. In one corner we have the undisputed champion of the morning buzz: the classic cup of coffee. And in the other, the verdigris challenger with a fanbase that grows daily: the new kid on the block - matcha tea. But who will win?
For so many of us, our daily routine hinges on that all important morning boost, and as matcha lattes appear on more and more coffee shop menu boards, a crucial question arises: does matcha have more caffeine than coffee? Let’s find out.
Does Matcha Have More Caffeine Than Coffee?
The short answer is….it’s complicated. Technically yes; matcha tea contains more caffeine than coffee. However, while the raw caffeine content of a high quality (also known as ceremonial grade matcha) in a single serving will be higher than the equivalent amount of ground coffee, a lot less is used in the actual drink. Plus the way that your body experiences and processes matcha and coffee is fundamentally different. So in round one of matcha vs coffee, there is no one clear winner.
How Much Caffeine Does Matcha Have?
To get to the bottom of how much caffeine a matcha contains, we need to talk about specifics. Matcha, in the most simplistic of terms, is a highly concentrated form of green tea, which is made according to centuries old practices by grinding whole tea leaves into an extremely fine powder. One serving of matcha is said to be equivalent to ten cups of regular steeped green tea. This is its literal caffeine superpower, sort of… Much like any concentrate, the amount of raw materials required far outnumber an unconcentrated equivalent.
To answer the question of how much caffeine does matcha have in a typical drink, we will take an average serving of matcha, which is 2-4grams of powder (compared to 14-28grams of ground coffee beans). This can contain anywhere between 38mg to a huge 176mg of caffeine. The disparity between the upper and lower levels is dependent on the quality of matcha that you are using, with ceremonial grade matcha being the highest, and a culinary one being the lowest.
Now, to answer the question of how much caffeine in matcha tea vs coffee, we will compare the above matcha with an average black americano coffee, made with espresso. A standard single espresso shot contains roughly 63mg of caffeine, but nearly all coffee shop drinks contain at least two shots. So, the coffee would be stronger than a matcha made with inferior grade tea, but may be less potent than a brew made with ceremonial grade matcha.
It is worth also noting that there is no one definitive answer to this question, however, as all of these drinks are made by hand and there are just too many variables to maintain consistency across the drinks. Everything from the amount of water used, the temperature, the quality of ingredients, if milk is added - and which kind- the weight, disposition and caffeine sensitivity of the person drinking it, if they have eaten yet, or the brewing process used can all contribute to how one person will be affected by the caffeine content of a drink, be it matcha or coffee or something else entirely.
So, how much caffeine does matcha have? 38mg to a huge 176mg of caffeine, but how it affects you will vary. And how much caffeine in matcha tea vs coffee - generally, a coffee shop's standard cup of coffee has more caffeine than a standard cup of matcha, but it's not a simple comparison. The most important difference is in how that caffeine affects your body
Navigating The World Of Matcha: Why Sourcing Matters
There’s no denying that matcha is riding a wave of popularity at the moment, one which shows no sign of slowing down. Whether it is a fad for the younger generation, an additional health-giving gimmick to add to your repertoire, an aesthetically pleasing drink, or simply an extra flavour to try, there’s not much left that matcha hasn’t been added to. And herein lies the issue. As with any artisanal product enjoying a boost in sales, there are several issues at the heart of the boom, many of which are only going to get worse the bigger the trend gets.
First of all, matcha is not a new thing. It has been made for centuries in Japan, after being introduced from China. The very best quality matcha is made in very specific regions of Japan, where the tea leaves are grown and harvested with painstaking care. However, as demand has grown, this has led to an influx of lower-quality versions being produced elsewhere and marketed as true matcha, even if it is not.
These cheaper versions may not even be from Japan at all, with the leaves not being shade grown - a key issue as this is the very thing that gives matcha both its unique taste but also the health boosting properties that some people consume it for. It is a classic case of demand outstripping genuine supply, and something that we see across the coffee world too. The beloved Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is one of the most copied in the world, with many people using beans grown in entirely different countries, and passing it off as JBM because they know that it will fetch a good price when labeled as such.
If you are enjoying high quality coffee or matcha, always make sure that you can trace the product back to legitimate sources, so that you know that you are getting the authentic experience, and not supporting copycat enterprises.
Then there is the environmental impact.
The truth of the matter is that matcha was never intended to be mass produced for everyday use. Even the name, ceremonial grade, denotes the special occasions that it was specially grown for. While its close relative green tea is a relatively eco-friendly crop, the process of producing matcha is extremely resource-intensive. Shade growing requires significant infrastructure and a dedicated work force, as well as the energy needed for the processing and grinding of the leaves.
Add to this the carbon footprint created from shipping the tea out of Japan and across the world, this is not something that should be taken lightly. But this is not an issue unique to matcha. It is well known that coffee too, requires very specific growing conditions, and needs to be shipped across the world to meet demands. There doesn’t seem to be an answer to fix any of this, but it is worth bearing in mind when deciding on where to source your coffee or tea from. There are changes happening to make coffee and tea production more sustainable and ethical, but in the short term this will result in higher prices for the consumer, as the industry adjusts.
Are there health benefits?
As well as the unmistakable green hue, many people choose matcha as their drink of choice because of its health benefits, mainly due to a naturally high concentration of antioxidants, particularly EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate). These are well documented in green tea, but are still being studied in matcha form, as the make up is slightly different. In particular, there has been a huge rise in videos by non-professionals on social media espousing the benefits of drinking matcha for ADHD symptoms, hitting both trends of ADHD diagnosis and matcha in one fell swoop. While there has been anecdotal evidence of improved focus and a sense of calm when drinking -primarily due to the high levels of L-theanine found in tea- there needs to be more research before this is a definite scientific fact.
On the other hand, there are also potential health concerns from drinking matcha, particularly when consumed in excess of from low-quality or indiscernible sources. Because you are ingesting the whole tea leaf, any pesticides or heavy metal present in the soil will also be in your cup. While reputable brands test for these contaminants, cheaper products may not.
Plus, matcha has natural compounds that can make it harder for your body to absorb iron, especially the kind from plant-based foods. This could lead to low iron levels if you are already at risk. People on plant-based diets, those who already have low iron, or menstruating women should be especially aware of this.
There is also the higher caffeine content in a strong brew that many may not be aware of, especially with the drink marketed to a younger audience unused to drinking highly caffeinated drinks such as coffee.
Why We Still Love A Good Cup Of Coffee
Now we love a new flavour, and an adventure into a new beverage territory as much as the next person, but you will be prising our daily coffee from our cold dead hands.
For all of the fanfare around matcha, let us not forget the enduring appeal of a really good cup of coffee. It is so ingrained into our lives that it is now so much more than merely a drink, for many it is a cornerstone of our daily life, and the variations of those rituals are a defining part of different cultures and how they consume their coffees across the globe.
From the comforting aroma of a freshly brewing pot (known to help sell houses, no less!), to the simple pleasure of catching up over a latte, coffee is as steeped in tradition as it is beloved for its energy boosting properties and unique taste. Whether you need the welcome jolt of a no-nonsense espresso or a comfortingly smooth hand crafted flat white, coffee is a dependable and delicious constant in so many of our lives.
But, aside from our clearly emotional attachment to the stuff, what is it that makes coffee so popular?
First of all, the caffeine in coffee is fast acting and dependable, providing a quick and decisive boost when you need it, in a controlled way that is expected, all while being pleasant to drink. That rapid absorption is a key selling point for coffee, the swift shot of alertness is perfect for when you need the motivation and focus to get things done, and get them done now.
Then there are the health benefits. In spite of countless studies trying to prove that coffee is a negative addition to your diet, many have found that the opposite is actually true. Coffee beans are a power house of unique antioxidants and other beneficial compounds, the true potential of which we are only beginning to understand. Research has found that moderate consumption of coffee promotes a whole host of potential health benefits, from reduced risks of certain diseases, enhanced cardiovascular health, neurological benefits and enhanced physical performance. The latest has gone so far as to say that daily morning coffee drinkers are at a lower risk of early death, and that is one claim that we will happily raise a glass of iced latte to.
Final Thoughts
So, to return to our original question, does matcha have more caffeine than coffee? The answer is that yes, it can, but only when made with high grade matcha, or when made incorrectly. The main point is that both matcha and coffee offer their own health benefits and both can be a wonderful addition to your routine. But the key is to understand what it is that you are consuming and what goes into the making of your beverage, all the way back to the moment it is harvested, by who and how.
The Coffee Bean Shop prides itself on only ever selling the very highest quality coffee beans, sourced from sustainable and ethically run growers across the globe. We roast all of our beans to order, right here in our family-run roastery, ensuring that you get the freshest, tastiest coffee beans delivered right to your door, every time.