Matcha is naturally caffeinated, with around 36 milligrams of caffeine per gram of raw powder. One teaspoon of matcha powder contains approximately 2 grams, so one serving contains 72 mg of caffeine (give or take a milligram or two).
That puts matcha a peg behind coffee in the caffeine stakes, but matcha has a super ingredient – L-theanine – which provides a sustained energy boost alongside caffeine to give you better daily alertness.
The antioxidants catechins are also found in matcha, giving you a dose of cell protectors that lower your risk of heart disease [1] and cancer [2].
What is matcha?
Matcha is a finely ground powder from the green tea leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, originating in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) and later introduced to Japan by Buddhist monks in the 12th century.
Japan is the primary producer of high-quality matcha today and has refined the cultivation and processing techniques over centuries.
Matcha has so many health benefits we’ve made it part of vybey Braincare Smart Greens and vybey Braincare Smart Focus.
Why does matcha contain caffeine?
The Camellia sinensis plant produces natural caffeine as a defence mechanism against insects and other herbivores -- caffeine is toxic for many insects and small herbivores, so it discourages them from taking a bite.
Caffeine accumulates in the tea plant's leaves, buds, and stems, with the highest concentrations in young leaves and buds, although mature leaves are also harvested for their sweeter flavour profile.
Refining the caffeine content
Shade-growing stimulates an increase in caffeine production and amino acid production like L-theanine, resulting in a higher caffeine content compared to other green teas, similar to black teas.
Growing the plant at higher altitudes increases caffeine content, as the plants produce more caffeine to protect against cooler temperatures.
It's possible to remove the caffeine from matcha entirely to make a decaffeinated product with water dissolution, where the leaves steep in water and carbon dioxide are added to force caffeine from the leaves for filtering.
All of these things—shade growing, high altitude growing, and decaffeination—change the flavour profile of the matcha powder. Decaffeinated creates a mild tea, while more caffeine gives it an umami-rich taste.
Matcha as a coffee alternative
Coffee contains more caffeine per serving than matcha, making it the more potent supplement on paper for a quick energy boost, but matcha gets within 80% of the caffeine kick with L-theanine helping enhance its effects.
So, both are fantastic for an energy kick.
The notable differences come in the taste—matcha has an earthy, slightly bitter flavour off the tongue with a sweet aftertaste, while coffee is woody and full-bodied.
If you don't like coffee but like tea, matcha is the way forward. It tastes fantastic on its own, or you can add some honey for a sweeter brew.
Coffee also only has one 'active' ingredient, so you aren't getting any nutrition, and the effects are relatively short-lived.
Matcha as a food ingredient
Matcha is the core ingredient of the Matcha flavour of vybey Braincare Smart Focus, our nootropic coffee alternative packed with healthy ingredients.
Braincare Smart Focus gives you the caffeine hit you crave with additional ingredients that deliver nutrition and brain-boosting benefits.
Here's the nutritional profile per 8g serving:
- Caffeine 35 mg.
- Carbs 7.4 g (sugars 1.6 g).
- Protein 1.3 g.
- Fat 1 g.
- Fibre 1.5 g.
The 35 mg caffeine content comes from matcha green tea powder premium grade – the highest grade matcha you can buy.
We combine it with lion's mane, chaga, cordyceps, Reishi mushrooms, and B vitamins to give you an energy kick with excellent nutrition.
While coffee wakes you up and helps you stay alert, Braincare Smart Focus stays in your system for longer with medium-term benefits from the fungi (these have compounds like hericenones and erinacines that build up in the body).
Caffeine and L-theanine - a bountiful relationship
Matcha contains caffeine and L-theanine, which work as a power couple to give you a mental boost that's different from what you get with either alone.
Studies show that this dynamic duo can sharpen your focus, help you think more clearly, and even put you in a better mood [3], with L-theanine smoothing out the jittery effects of caffeine and helping you stay laser-focused.
The catch? If you're a regular caffeine drinker, you might not feel these effects as strongly as someone who only indulges occasionally.
Is matcha safe to consume daily?
Matcha is 100% safe to consume daily, but it does contain a relatively large amount of caffeine, so moderation is essential to avoid the jitters, anxiety, insomnia, and increased heart rate common from excessive caffeine consumption.
The catechins in matcha can also interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners, antibiotics, and chemotherapy drugs. If you are taking any medications, consult your healthcare provider before incorporating matcha into your daily routine.
vybey Braincare Smart Focus contains 35mg of caffeine per serving, so drinking one, two, or three servings is safe.
Summing up
Matcha contains natural caffeine—less than coffee and around the same as black tea—with additional compounds like L-theanine that help reduce caffeine's less-than-desirable symptoms, such as jitters and anxiety.
You can drink matcha as a standalone tea or look for products that use matcha as an ingredient, like vybey Braincare Smart Focus.
Braincare Smart Focus uses nootropic mushrooms and matcha to enhance your cognitive performance in more ways than caffeine alone. You get more energy, focus, and concentration without the energy crash of coffee or unhealthy ingredients of energy drinks.
Another way to get your daily matcha kick is vybey Braincare Smart Greens, with its nutrient-dense combination of super fruits, herbs, and veggies.
Grab a vybey starter pack today to get started.
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