Matcha Caffeine Content

- AN ARTICLE DISCUSSING THE CAFFEINE CONTENT OF MATCHA GREEN TEA -

All ‘real’ tea types (those made from the leaves of the plant ‘camella sinensis’ – black, green and oolong) contain caffeine because it forms part of the plant’s molecular structure. Matcha tea contains just as much, if not more, caffeine than other types of tea (black, white, etc.) – because it is produced from crushing the whole tea leaf, the level of caffeine is usually slightly higher than other teas.

 

If prepared from fresher leaves, the caffeine content of a cup of matcha tea can be equivalent to half of a cup of black coffee: that is 70mg per 8 ounce cup of matcha tea (made using 1 teaspoon/2 grams of matcha powder dissolved in hot water) versus 140mg per 8 ounce cup of coffee. Koicha, a thicker solution of matcha, is prepared using twice as much matcha powder, and so contains twice as much caffeine.

 

However, matcha does not make the drinker feel ‘wired’ because other compounds in the matcha leaves slow the release of caffeine molecules into the body. Due to the unique combination of phytonutrients, these caffeine molecules bind to larger, more stable molecules (particularly catechins), providing a time-release mechanism.

 

 

The caffeine in matcha tea is typically released over a period of 3-6 hours, providing a long-lasting wakefulness rather than a sharp shock to the adrenal system. It also means that there is no sudden drop in insulin as with coffee, so drinkers do not experience the ‘crashes’ associated with rapid falls in blood sugar. Like other green teas, matcha also contains L-theanine, an amino acid which increases alpha wave activity in your brain, producing a feeling of calm and relaxation, as well as increasing focus and concentration.
 

 
 
Despite matcha’s caffeine content, drinking the tea does not agitate the nervous system like other stimulants such as coffee, which can cause ‘jitters’ and agitation if consumed in high quantities. Matcha does not stimulate the body to produce cortisol, the stress hormone, in the way that drinking coffee can. It is thought that matcha’s caffeine content also boosts the metabolisms of those who drink it regularly by as much as 35-40%, making it a powerful weight loss aid.