Matcha vs coffee: caffeine, taste and cost per cup

Short answer: a 1 g serving of matcha contains roughly 30–35 mg of caffeine, a matcha latte made with 2 g about 60–70 mg, and a cup of filter coffee around 80–100 mg. So matcha generally contains less caffeine per cup than coffee.

Caffeine is only part of the comparison. Below we put matcha and coffee side by side on taste, ritual and price, so you can decide what suits your morning.

Caffeine side by side

Drink	Approximate caffeine
Matcha, 1 g (usucha, straight)	30–35 mg
Matcha latte, 2 g	60–70 mg
Espresso (single shot)	about 60–80 mg
Filter coffee, one cup	about 80–100 mg

These are typical ranges. Caffeine in both drinks varies with the leaf or bean, the amount used and how it is made. Matcha also naturally contains the amino acid L-theanine, which coffee does not.

Taste

Coffee is roasted and tends towards bitter, nutty or chocolate notes. Good matcha is grassy, naturally sweet and savoury (umami), with little bitterness. If the matcha you have tried was bitter, it was probably a lower grade or made with water that was too hot; see how to make a matcha latte.

The ritual

Coffee is often made by a machine in seconds. Matcha takes about two minutes: sift, add water, whisk. Many people who switch say that short, hands-on moment is part of the appeal. It turns a quick caffeine fix into a small daily ritual.

Cost per cup

Matcha costs more per cup than coffee made at home. With our matcha, the matcha for one latte (2 g) costs about €1.60 with Kagoshima (€39 for 50 g) or about €2.00 with Yame (€49 for 50 g), plus your milk. That is still a fraction of what a matcha latte costs in a café.

How to switch from coffee to matcha

1. Start with a latte. Milk makes the switch easier than drinking matcha straight.
2. Replace one coffee a day first. For example your second cup, and see how you like it after a week.
3. Use a smooth matcha. A mild matcha such as Kagoshima is the easiest start.
4. Get the temperature right. Water at 75–80°C, never boiling.

Who should limit caffeine?

Matcha contains caffeine, just like coffee. It is not recommended for children, and pregnant or breastfeeding women are advised to limit their total caffeine intake. If you are sensitive to caffeine, drink matcha earlier in the day.

Frequently asked questions

Does matcha have more caffeine than coffee?

Usually not per cup. A typical serving of matcha has less caffeine than a cup of filter coffee, although a strong matcha with 3–4 g can come close.

Does matcha contain caffeine or theine?

Theine and caffeine are the same substance. The word theine is simply used for caffeine in tea.

Can I drink matcha every day?

Yes, many people drink one or two servings a day. As with coffee, keep an eye on your total caffeine intake.

Want to try it? Start with Kagoshima matcha, or get everything at once with the Matcha Ritual Set.