Not only does it contain less caffeine than coffee, but it's also absorbed more slowly by the body, providing a sustained energy boost without the crash.

The ultimate caffeine showdown has a clear winner: matcha. Although at Sipspa, we think limiting yourself to 3 cups is advisable, and less for those who are sensitive to caffeine.įor coffee, 2-4 cups should suffice, depending on the concentration. This means you can have up to 5 cups of standard matcha (70 milligrams of caffeine per cup). For healthy adults, the recommended daily limit is 400 milligrams of caffeine (EFSA, 2015). With the differences between matcha and coffee established, you might wonder how much caffeine is safe to consume daily. While coffee also contains antioxidants and provides certain health benefits, drinking too much has been linked to side effects like increased heart rate, digestive issues, and increased stress levels due to the rapid absorption of caffeine (Dodd et al., 2015). The benefits of matcha include being packed with antioxidants, particularly catechins like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which protect the body from harmful free radicals and reduce inflammation (Weiss & Anderton, 2003).Īdditionally, the presence of L-theanine in matcha promotes relaxation and stress reduction without causing drowsiness (Nobre, Rao & Owen, 2008). Given the differences in caffeine content and absorption, it's worth considering the health implications of each beverage. This can cause the familiar 'coffee rush' – an initial boost in energy, followed by jitteriness and an inevitable crash a few hours later. This results in an adrenaline, glucose, and insulin spike (Dodd et al., 2015). Since the caffeine in coffee isn't bound to other compounds, it is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. On the other hand, coffee is absorbed much more quickly. As a result, matcha provides a steady and sustained energy levels without the jittery feeling often associated with caffeine consumption. L-theanine is a type of amino acid found in green tea leaves, which works to slow down caffeine absorption (Dodd et al., 2015). Matcha's unique composition means it is absorbed slowly due to the caffeine being bound to other compounds. It's essential to note that the caffeine content in a cup may vary depending on the concentration of matcha or coffee used in its preparation.Īlthough matcha tea contains less caffeine than coffee, its absorption by the body is where it truly excels. Consequently, matcha has about one-third the amount of caffeine as coffee. A 225g cup of matcha contains approximately 70 milligrams of caffeine, while an equivalent cup of coffee has around 95-200 milligrams (Dodd et al., 2015). When it comes to caffeine content in matcha versus coffee, the difference is notable.

So, how do these two popular beverages compare when it comes to caffeine content? Does matcha have caffeine? Let's take a look. Believed to have been first discovered in Ethiopia, coffee has since spread globally and become a staple morning beverage for millions. In contrast, coffee is made by brewing roasted coffee beans in water. The matcha powder is mixed with hot water to produce a bright green beverage, lauded for its health benefits and unique taste (Nishimura et al., 2018). Matcha, originating from green tea leaves ground into a fine powder, has been around for centuries and plays a central role in Japanese tea ceremonies. So, which one do you think reigns supreme when it comes to caffeine? In this article, we will compare the caffeine in matcha vs coffee and look at how they are absorbed by the body.

It's the age-old question: which is better, matcha or coffee? They both have their pros and cons, but when it comes to caffeine, there is a clear winner.

Does matcha caffeine