Everybody seems to have gone bonkers on matcha tea. It is the latest addition to the menu in all cafes and eating outlets. You have probably heard of it. Especially, if you are the habitual coffee drinker, then you have at one point been persuaded to substitute your coffee drinking for it. Why? You may ask. Well, the reason is simple. Match tea, just like espresso, contains caffeine. It is, however, a healthier stimulant compared to coffee. And the question in most people's mind is how much caffeine is in Matcha Tea? Will it provide that kick you need after a busy day?
Matcha tea is a type of Japanese green tea that is prepared by grinding tea leaves into a consumable powder form. Whenever the powder is added to boiling water, the result is a bright green frothy drink that is naturally sweet.
Matcha green tea contains a lot of caffeine since it is directly prepared from the leaves of the matcha plant. The leaves contain very high concentrations of caffeine. It contains almost double-fold of the concentration of caffeine in comparison with other types of green tea. Ordinarily, a matcha hit could provide different levels of caffeine.
How much caffeine is in Matcha?
Matcha tea has varying concentrations of caffeine. The caffeine content for a teaspoon is approximately 2 milligrams if the tea is dissolved in a cup of water. Additionally, the quality of the matcha tea determines its caffeine concentration. Notably, Matcha tea with the name “koicha” is prepared using the double amount of matcha powder and, therefore, its caffeine content is twice as high when compared to other types.
Matcha Vs Coffee Caffeine Content
There is a common belief that a cup of coffee contains more caffeine as compared to a cup of matcha tea. Surprisingly, the caffeine concentration is almost of equal quantities when the tea consumed has higher quality. The caffeine contents in the tea are meant to help consumers to relax rather than become addicted to caffeine which is possible in case of higher consumption.
Health Benefits & Side Effects
Matcha tea has the advantage of sustaining energy over extended periods of time within the body. A study reveals that matcha tea has three times more epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), important catechin in green tea, than other green teas. Catechins and EGCG, in particular, are an antioxidant. As a result, caffeine molecules in the tea bind to the catechins and are slowly absorbed over time. Consequently, it takes longer from the caffeine to be absorbed and provide a spike when compared to coffee. The latter is directly absorbed into the bloodstream and immediately provides a jolt of energy that quickly fizzles out of the body. So, when compared to coffee, matcha, which can take up to six hours to get absorbed, offers some calm sense of awareness and alertness. The amino acid L-theanine is partially responsible for the relaxed feeling. In addition, caffeine in matcha tea produces the feel-good effects since it is complemented by the phytonutrients and antioxidants as well as the amino acids.
Caffeine, despite its side effects, is not all that bad. It has proved to be beneficial when taken in matcha. Studies have shown that a mixture of green tea and caffeine, which matcha tea offers, improves weight maintenance by facilitating fat oxidation and thermogenesis.
The matcha powder is used by first putting it into hot water and stirring before consuming. This method of consuming tea makes the absorption of caffeine into the body to be a gradual process. As the body absorbs the ingredients of the tea gradually sudden release of insulin shouldn’t be seen.
On average, there are on average 24-39 milligrams of caffeine in every matcha tea that is served. Hence, consumers who may be on a diet and are meant to avoid caffeine concentrated foods should withdraw matcha tea.
So, now you are aware that matcha tea contains caffeine despite being the type of green tea. Next time you order that cup of matcha tea, be aware of this fact. An as mentioned above, the caffeine contained in matcha tea is absorbed slowly and has a lasting effect on your body..
