Matcha FAQ & Comparison Guide
The questions we get asked most — about caffeine, grades, authenticity, and how to drink it.
Matcha FAQ
Is matcha better than coffee?
It depends what you're after. Matcha gives a steady lift without the spike-and-crash of coffee — L-theanine works alongside the caffeine to keep you calm and focused at the same time.
How much caffeine is actually in matcha?
A typical serve has around 30–70mg of caffeine — about half a cup of coffee — plus the antioxidants and chlorophyll you get from drinking the whole leaf.
Ceremonial grade vs Everyday grade — what's the difference?
Everyday Matcha is bolder-flavoured and built to hold up well in milk — perfect for daily lattes. Premium (ceremonial grade) is first-harvest, Certified Organic and smoother, designed to be whisked with just water, traditional style. See our full grade comparison guide.
Can I drink matcha every day? Will it keep me up at night?
Most of our customers do! Because of the L-theanine calming effect, matcha is generally gentler on sleep than a late coffee — but if you're caffeine-sensitive, we'd suggest sticking to mornings.
Does matcha help with weight loss, and what milk works best in a latte?
Matcha won't melt fat on its own, but its catechin content supports a healthy metabolism and it's a great low-calorie swap for sugary drinks. For lattes, any milk froths up beautifully — dairy, oat, soy or almond — with oat the current favourite among our customers.
How do I know I've bought real, good-quality matcha?
Check the ingredients label — pure matcha should list just one ingredient. If you see sugar, maltodextrin, or "green tea powder blend," it's been cut with fillers. Then go by colour (vivid green, never dull or yellow-tinged), texture (silky, no lumps) and smell (sweet and grassy, never fishy or hay-like).
Matcha vs Coffee vs Energy Drinks
| Matcha | Coffee | Energy Drinks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serve | ~30–70mg | ~95mg | 80–160mg+ |
| The "crash" | Minimal, smoothed by L-theanine | Common | Common, often worse |
| What else you're getting | Antioxidants, chlorophyll, amino acids | Minimal | Sugar, additives |
| Focus effect | Calm + alert | Alert, sometimes jittery | Jittery |
More Ways to Enjoy Matcha
Dairy-Free Latte
Swap the milk for oat, soy or almond — oat is our pick for the creamiest froth.
Iced Matcha Latte
Make your matcha paste as usual, skip heating the milk, pour over ice. See our full latte recipe.
Sugar-Free
Skip the honey or maple and let the tea's natural sweetness shine, or use stevia or monk fruit.
Dirty Matcha
Add a shot of espresso to your matcha latte for the best of both worlds.
Matcha Tonic
Matcha paste, soda water, ice and a squeeze of lime — something lighter and refreshing.