Matcha vs. Coffee & Japanese Tea: Caffeine Compared

Yes, matcha contains caffeine. A drink made with 2 g of matcha has approximately 64 mg, using Japan’s standard food-composition reference value. The actual amount varies by product. Coffee, sencha, hojicha, and genmaicha also contain caffeine, but comparing them requires more than saying “per cup.”

A small bowl of matcha and a large café latte may use very different amounts of powder. Brewed tea also changes with the leaves, water, and steeping method. This guide makes those assumptions visible so you can compare your own drinks more usefully.

Matcha vs. coffee, sencha, hojicha, and genmaicha

The table uses 200 ml (about 6.8 US fl oz) for brewed drinks and 2 g of powder for matcha. These are illustrative reference calculations, not tested caffeine levels for the products we sell.

Source and conditions: The MAFF reference table lists coffee at 60 mg/100 ml, sencha and hojicha at 20 mg/100 ml, and genmaicha at 10 mg/100 ml. Its extraction conditions are coffee: 10 g grounds/150 ml boiling water; sencha: 10 g leaves/430 ml at 90°C for one minute; hojicha and genmaicha: 15 g/650 ml at 90°C for 30 seconds. The matcha calculation uses MEXT’s powder reference of 32 mg/g.

Why are sencha and hojicha equal here? The reference lists the same concentration for those particular infusions. This does not mean every sencha and hojicha product contains the same caffeine. It does show why a universal ranking based only on the tea name can mislead.

How much caffeine is in 1 g, 2 g, or 4 g of matcha?

For matcha, the amount of powder is the most useful starting point. Using the MEXT reference value above:

These calculations assume you consume the full amount of powder. They are estimates, not a guarantee for a specific tin. A kitchen scale helps you keep the amount consistent; a “scoop” or teaspoon is less precise.

Adding plain milk, water, or ice changes the concentration and drink size, but does not remove caffeine from the powder already used. If a latte contains twice as much of the same matcha, it also contains roughly twice as much caffeine from that matcha.

Does matcha have more caffeine than coffee?

It can, depending on the recipe. In the examples above, 2 g of matcha is below the 200 ml coffee example, while 4 g slightly exceeds it. This is a comparison of reference calculations, not a prediction for every café drink.

Coffee varies widely too. The FDA lists 113–247 mg for a typical 12 fl oz regular brewed coffee. Espresso-based drinks depend on the number and size of shots. When ordering, ask how many grams of matcha or how many espresso shots are used.

Hojicha caffeine: tea bags and powder need different comparisons

Brewed hojicha is an infusion: leaves or stems steep in water and are then removed. Hojicha powder is mixed into the drink and consumed with it. A caffeine figure for brewed leaf tea cannot simply be assigned to a powder latte.

For Aroma Rich and Marukyu Koyamaen’s hojicha powders, this guide does not have product-specific laboratory caffeine measurements. We therefore do not assign them a fixed “mg per latte” value or promise that they contain less caffeine than every matcha or coffee drink.

Choose hojicha for its roasted flavor, and use product-specific caffeine information when available. Our hojicha guide compares tea bags, powders, and latte preparation.

Does genmaicha with matcha have the same caffeine as regular genmaicha?

Do not assume so. Classic genmaicha combines green tea and roasted rice; a matcha-added blend includes another source of caffeine. The proportions and brewing method matter, and the regular-genmaicha reference is not a measurement of a matcha-added product.

For example, our Marukyu Koyamaen genmaicha and Hoshino Seichaen matcha-added genmaicha differ in both blend and bag size. Compare them in the genmaicha tea-bag guide, rather than treating one bag of each as an equivalent serving.

Does matcha guarantee smoother energy or no jitters?

No. People may describe different experiences with tea and coffee, but those descriptions do not establish the caffeine dose or guarantee how you will feel. The FDA notes that caffeine sensitivity and the speed at which people clear caffeine vary widely. Matcha can still affect sleep or cause jitters.

Pay attention to your serving and response rather than relying on labels such as “calm energy,” “ceremonial,” or “evening tea.”

Choose the flavor and format that fit your routine

The options below are suggestions by taste and preparation, not a ranking of measured caffeine levels.

Caffeine FAQs

Is any tea in this comparison caffeine-free?

No. Matcha, sencha, hojicha, and genmaicha all contain tea-derived caffeine. If you need a caffeine-free drink, select one explicitly identified as caffeine-free.

Does a larger matcha latte always contain more caffeine?

Not necessarily. If only the milk or ice increases, the caffeine from the matcha remains the same. If the powder amount increases, the caffeine increases too.

Can I use the hojicha infusion number for a powder latte?

No. They are different preparations. Use measurements for the specific powder and the amount in your recipe if those data are available.

Can I drink hojicha or genmaicha before bed?

Neither is caffeine-free, and sensitivity differs. A roasted or mellow taste does not tell you whether a drink will affect your sleep.

How should I keep track of caffeine?

Note the powder weight or brewed serving size, use product caffeine information when available, and include other drinks and foods in your total. If you need an individual limit because of pregnancy, medication, or a health condition, discuss it with your healthcare professional.

Start with the recipe, not the cup label. Knowing what goes into your drink makes it easier to compare options while enjoying the flavors you like.