Matcha latte or coffee: caffeine, benefits and differences

Reading time: 5 minutes

Matcha or coffee in the morning? Both wake you up, both contain caffeine, but they're not alike in the cup or in their composition. Here's what sets them apart, what we know about the benefits of matcha latte, and how to choose based on your habits.

What is matcha?

Matcha is a Japanese green tea ground into a very fine powder. A few weeks before harvest, the tea plants are shaded: the leaves become greener and richer in certain compounds. They are then dried, stripped of their veins and ground with a stone mill.

What makes it special: you don't steep the leaves, you drink the whole leaf, whisked into water or milk. Powdered tea arrived in Japan from China at the end of the 12^th century and became the heart of the Japanese tea ceremony, chanoyu.

Matcha, matcha latte: what's the difference?

Matcha is traditionally prepared with hot water, whisked with a bamboo whisk. A matcha latte combines matcha powder with milk, dairy or plant-based, hot or iced. Its taste is softer and rounder, which often makes it a good way to discover matcha.

Matcha or coffee: the differences at a glance

• Origin: matcha is a ground green tea leaf; coffee is a roasted bean that is then brewed.
• Caffeine: according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), an espresso provides about 80 mg of caffeine and a cup of filter coffee about 90 mg. A cup of matcha usually contains less, depending on the amount of powder: 31.5 mg in one serving of our Collagen Matcha Latte.
• Other compounds: matcha contains L-theanine, an amino acid specific to tea, and catechins such as EGCG. Coffee also contains polyphenols, including chlorogenic acids.
• Taste: vegetal, slightly grassy for matcha; roasted and more bitter for coffee.
• Preparation: a powder to mix for matcha; an infusion or extraction for coffee.

Matcha, an alternative to coffee?

For many people, yes. Those who switch from coffee to matcha are often looking for a drink with less caffeine, a different taste, or simply a new morning ritual. The presence of L-theanine alongside caffeine is often cited to explain why tea is perceived as gentler than coffee.

It's not about pitting the two against each other: coffee remains a pleasant drink for most adults. Matcha is simply another way to start the day, and nothing stops you from alternating as you like.

Matcha latte: what are the benefits?

When we talk about the benefits of matcha latte, we're mainly talking about what it contains:

• caffeine, generally in a more moderate amount than coffee;
• L-theanine, the amino acid characteristic of tea;
• catechins, including EGCG, present in large amounts in matcha since you consume the whole leaf;
• the milk you choose, which brings its own nutritional value.

It's also a moment: a drink you take the time to prepare and savour, hot in winter, iced in summer.

How to make a matcha latte

1. Put one scoop of powder into a bowl or cup.
2. Add a splash of hot, but not boiling, water and stir until you get a smooth paste with no lumps.
3. Top up with the milk of your choice, hot or cold, and whisk.

For a summer version, try our iced collagen matcha smoothie.

Our Collagen Matcha Latte

Vitamoon sells a collagen matcha latte: we'd rather say so clearly. Our Collagen Matcha Latte combines two ingredients in each 10 g serving:

• 8,500 mg of PEPTAN® collagen peptides;
• 1,500 mg of organic ceremonial-grade matcha, including 31.5 mg of caffeine and 99 mg of EGCG.

It is sugar-free and made in Europe. Prepare it with the milk of your choice, hot or cold. To learn more about collagen, read What is collagen?

Frequently asked questions

Matcha or coffee: which contains more caffeine?

Generally, coffee. An espresso provides about 80 mg of caffeine and a cup of filter coffee about 90 mg, according to EFSA. A cup of matcha usually contains less, depending on the amount of powder used.

Can you drink matcha every day?

Yes, taking into account your total caffeine intake for the day. For a healthy adult, EFSA considers that up to 400 mg of caffeine a day, from all sources, raises no safety concerns (200 mg for pregnant or breastfeeding women).

Is there a caffeine-free matcha?

No: matcha always contains caffeine, since it's made from tea leaves. For a caffeine-free hot drink, choose an herbal infusion instead, such as rooibos.

Can you drink matcha in the evening?

As with coffee, it's best kept for the morning or early afternoon if you're sensitive to caffeine.

Is matcha latte suitable for everyone?

It contains caffeine. Our Collagen Matcha Latte is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, under-18s, or people with gastroduodenal ulcers, heart conditions or hyperthyroidism. If in doubt or on treatment, ask your doctor for advice.

In summary

• Matcha is a ground green tea leaf: you drink the whole leaf.
• A cup of matcha usually contains less caffeine than a coffee.
• It also provides L-theanine and catechins, including EGCG.
• A matcha latte is matcha with milk: a softer taste, hot or iced.
• Matcha and coffee aren't opposites: choose based on your taste and caffeine sensitivity.

Sources

• EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), scientific opinion on the safety of caffeine, 2015, and the “Caffeine explained” factsheet.
• Composition of Vitamoon Collagen Matcha Latte (product page).

About the author

Nicolas is the owner of Vitamoon, a brand of liquid and powder food supplements made in Europe, which he took over in 2025 and runs with his wife. He writes the blog articles based on the sources listed above.