The caffeine in a matcha latte cannot be determined from cup size alone. The most useful starting point is the weight of matcha used in the recipe.
Why there is no single number
Caffeine varies naturally with cultivar, growing conditions, harvest and processing. Café recipes also range from roughly 1 to 4 grams of matcha or more. An exact caffeine figure for a specific product and lot requires laboratory analysis.
What milk, water and ice change
Milk, water and ice change concentration and flavor, but they do not remove caffeine. A larger drink may taste milder while containing the same caffeine if the matcha dose is unchanged.
How cafés should communicate caffeine
- Document the grams of matcha in every size.
- Avoid presenting broad internet averages as a guaranteed product value.
- State clearly that matcha contains caffeine.
- Use laboratory data if an exact claim is commercially important.
Tay Leaf’s house formula
Our standard latte begins with 4 grams of Kyoto Teien and 30 grams of filtered water at 160°F. The 4-gram portion is designed to keep matcha present through milk and flavored café builds.
Daily intake
Many authorities cite about 400 milligrams per day as a level not generally associated with negative effects for most healthy adults, but sensitivity differs and some people need much less.
Continue with the Complete Matcha Guide.