Matcha and Caffeine: What Is Actually in Your Cup

One of the questions you ask us most: how much caffeine does matcha have? Here are the numbers, no fluff.

The numbers

• Matcha (2 g serving): about 60 mg of natural caffeine.
• Espresso: 80-120 mg per cup.
• Steeped green tea: 20-40 mg.
• Rooibos: 0 mg - naturally caffeine-free.

Because you drink the whole ground leaf, matcha delivers more caffeine than a green tea infusion, but less than a coffee. Matcha also contains L-theanine, the amino acid characteristic of shade-grown tea - part of its umami flavour profile.

What about the afternoon or evening?

For the caffeine-free hours we have two paths: South African rooibos (naturally caffeine-free, sweet and coppery - also available in a vanilla version and as a caffeine-free Masala Chai), and hojicha, the roasted Japanese green tea with very little caffeine and a caramel taste.

Our practical tip

Matcha in the morning as your opening ritual; hojicha or rooibos from mid-afternoon on. And if one day you fancy something intense that is not coffee: the Black, with black tea and cacao, is your tin.

Note: if you are pregnant or sensitive to caffeine, talk to your health professional about your total daily intake.