This article will discuss the duration of matcha’s caffeine and why it lasts longer than coffee’s energy boost.
From the camellia Sinensis plant, matcha is a powdered form of green tea. Comparatively speaking to other kinds of green tea, it typically has more caffeine. However, consuming excessive amounts of caffeine may be harmful.
Caffeine is present in both matcha and coffee, but matcha’s caffeine is much more potent and provides steady, long-lasting energy.
Key Takeaways:
- Matcha typically contains 64 mg of caffeine per cup.
- The body absorbs and releases matcha’s caffeine gradually over the course of 4-6 hours.
- An hour to three hours’ worth of caffeine is provided by a cup of regular coffee.
The duration of matcha’s caffeine and its caffeine content is discussed in this article.
How Long Does Matcha Caffeine Last?
Caffeine from matcha is absorbed and released gradually over a period of 4-6 hours by the body. This implies that matcha gives a sustained energy boost without the coffee’s 30-minute rise, slump, and jitters.
While matcha has less caffeine than coffee, the caffeine in matcha is far more effective. What is the justification for this?
When compared to caffeine in coffee, caffeine in tea generally enters the bloodstream more slowly. Caffeine in matcha releases gradually, giving you steady, lasting energy. The same rush or jolt as coffee is not present in it.
Additionally, matcha does not cause the “crash” that many individuals feel an hour or two after drinking coffee. The dominant idea for why this is the case is that the amino acid L-theanine has a role.
L-theanine: What is It and Why is It So Important?
L-theanine is an amino acid found naturally in the tea plant Camellia sinensis. While green tea is widely considered a good source of L-theanine, studies have revealed that matcha contains up to five times as much L-theanine as any generic green tea.
Imagine L-theanine as a large collection of molecules of glutamate that are bound together. The amount of these glutamates that enter our bloodstream after drinking a cup of premium matcha is enormous. In a matter of seconds, they can quickly cross the blood-brain barrier. These molecules then trigger the brain’s alpha waves.
Alpha waves are a sign of alertness. Only when we feel awake and conscious are they present. The waves that cause these reactions are started by L-theanine. That explains why drinking matcha makes us feel focused and awake.
In comparison, while coffee may make us feel alert, that alertness is frequently accompanied by jitteriness and is frequently followed by a “crash.” No crashes or jitters are brought on by matcha.
The natural caffeine in matcha is also absorbed by our bodies more gradually thanks to L-Theanine, giving us sustained energy for three to six hours without the jitters or crashes that come with other caffeinated drinks.
Why Does Matcha Contain L-theanine?
Matcha contains L-Theanine because of the process of growing shadows that it goes through. Before harvest, layers of shade are added to the fields of tea plantations, eventually obstructing the sun.
The tea plant begins a series of chemical reactions that lead to an increase in the production of various amino acids when there is less sunlight available for photosynthesis. Together with some of the matcha’s health-promoting ingredients, like L-theanine, these amino acids are responsible for the matcha’s sweet, umami flavors.
In the end, you’ll have a vividly green tea leaf that gives matcha powder a lovely green tint.
How Much Caffeine is in Matcha?
Matcha powder typically contains 18.9 to 44.4 mg of caffeine per gram (1). If you choose the middle value, this equals about 63 grams per teaspoon. You typically need 1 to 1.5 tsp of matcha powder to make matcha. So on average, a serving of matcha will have somewhere between 63 to 95 mg of caffeine!
By the way, making the thick paste used in Japanese tea ceremonies only requires 2 oz of water. In contrast, more water—a total of 8 ounces—is frequently added in the West.
Since many factors affect the amount of caffeine in your matcha beverage, these are all just estimates. These include.
- Tea’s growing circumstances, such as shaded vs non-shaded)
- Leaves selected to process the tea into matcha (younger vs older leaves)
- Seasonal and environmental factors
- How much matcha do you put into your drink
Why Does Matcha Have High Caffeine?
The green tea plant’s leaves are shaded during the production of matcha, which contributes to its high caffeine content. The last few weeks of the leaves’ growth are spent in the shade, which raises the levels of L-theanine and caffeine.
Another factor is that since the tea is ground and infused with water, you are consuming the entire leaf. Other teas are infusions, and you most definitely don’t eat the leaves!
How Much Matcha Should I Drink Daily?
It’s recommended to stick to 1–2 cups per day and seek for certified organic versions to get the many health benefits of matcha.
Matcha should be consumed in moderation and in accordance with your body’s requirements. Limit your matcha intake to no more than five cups per day for safety’s sake.
The best time to drink matcha for energy is after a meal (breakfast or lunch) since this will help you avoid the afternoon slump and will also ease your digestion slightly. for an energy boost before a workout.
Try not to drink matcha early in the morning on empty stomach, it is best not to drink it after 5 p.m. as we mentioned matcha caffeine is absorbed and released over 4-6 hours by the body. As matcha may interfere with your body’s ability to absorb some nutrients, you should also avoid drinking it with your main meals.
Finally, matcha is a wonderful drink that is bursting with health advantages and is a complete game-changer for many of us when we need an energy boost.
Over the course of 4-6 hours, the body gradually releases and absorbs the caffeine in matcha. Additionally, the amino acid L-theanine slows the natural caffeine in matcha’s absorption, giving the drinker a sustained period of energy without the jitters or crashes that come with coffee or other caffeinated beverages.
Conclusion: How Long Does Matcha Caffeine Last
In conclusion, matcha contains a moderate amount of caffeine. It contains significantly more caffeine than regular teas while having a lower caffeine content than almost all coffee beverages. Matcha typically has 64 mg of caffeine per cup.
Hopefully, this article on the duration of matcha caffeine has made things clearer for you. You’ll notice a noticeable difference in the amount of energy you have the next time you need a cup of coffee if you switch it out for a cup of matcha instead.