Matcha contains significantly more caffeine than regular green tea. A typical cup of matcha (made with 1 teaspoon of powder) contains approximately 70 milligrams of caffeine, while a cup of steeped green tea contains only about 25-30 milligrams.
This difference exists because when you drink matcha, you're consuming the entire tea leaf in powdered form, rather than just the water-soluble components extracted during steeping. However, matcha's caffeine is released more slowly into your bloodstream thanks to an amino acid called L-theanine, which promotes calm alertness without the jitters or crash often associated with coffee.
For comparison, coffee contains about 95 milligrams of caffeine per cup, making matcha a middle-ground option for those seeking sustained energy throughout the day.