Documentation & responsible buying
Caffeine in Matcha: How to Communicate It to Guests
Matcha contains caffeine, because it is made from the whole tea leaf ground to a powder. How much caffeine is in one of your drinks depends on how many grams of matcha you use and on the specific product, so the accurate answer to a guest is "yes, it contains caffeine", followed by a figure only if you have product data to back it. This guide explains what you can say, what EFSA states about caffeine intake, and gives a short script for staff.
What you can say with confidence
- Matcha contains caffeine. Every matcha drink you serve contains some.
- The amount varies. It depends on the dose in grams and on the product. Different matcha products, harvests and batches can differ.
- A dirty matcha contains caffeine from both the matcha and the espresso.
- Decaffeinated matcha is not something to promise. If a guest needs to avoid caffeine, offer a drink without matcha or coffee.
What you should not do is quote a general figure from the internet as if it applied to your drink. Published figures vary widely and rarely match your product and dose.
Why caffeine per drink varies
Two factors drive the caffeine in a single drink.
1. Dose
Caffeine scales with the grams of matcha in the cup. A drink made with 3 g of matcha contains roughly one and a half times the caffeine of the same drink made with 2 g of the same matcha. Size changes often bring dose changes: a large or iced drink with a double dose has more.
2. Product
Caffeine content differs between matcha products. If your supplier gives you a caffeine figure per 100 g or per gram for a specific product, you can calculate a figure per drink:
Caffeine per drink = caffeine per gram of matcha × grams of matcha per drink
Only use this with a figure supplied for the product you actually buy. Yumi has not measured caffeine content per product, so we do not publish a figure for Ceremonial Barista Matcha or Ceremonial Matcha. If your guests regularly ask, request product data from your supplier, and if none exists, do not invent a number.
What does not change it much
Milk, ice and syrups change the volume and flavour of the drink, not the caffeine. A large latte with the same 2 g dose contains about the same caffeine as a small one; it is just more dilute.
What EFSA says
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has assessed caffeine intake from all sources. In summary, EFSA concluded:
| Group | EFSA position (all sources combined) |
|---|---|
| Healthy adults, single dose | Up to 200 mg raises no safety concerns |
| Healthy adults, per day | Up to 400 mg spread over the day raises no safety concerns |
| Pregnant and breastfeeding women | Up to 200 mg per day raises no safety concerns for the unborn child |
EFSA also notes that single doses around 100 mg may affect sleep for some adults when taken close to bedtime. These are intake reference levels from all sources (coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate), not figures for a matcha drink. Staff should refer guests to them only in general terms, and not give individual advice.
How to handle common questions
| Guest asks | Answer along these lines |
|---|---|
| "Does matcha have caffeine?" | "Yes, matcha contains caffeine, because you drink the whole ground leaf." |
| "How much is in this one?" | "It depends on the matcha and the dose. Our recipe uses [x] g. We don't have a measured caffeine figure for it." (Give a figure only if your supplier has provided product data.) |
| "Is it more or less than a coffee?" | "It depends on the drink and the dose, so I can't give you an exact comparison." |
| "Is there a caffeine-free version?" | "Not with matcha. I can suggest [a caffeine-free option on your menu]." |
| "I'm pregnant, is it OK?" | "It contains caffeine. For advice on your own intake, it's best to check with your doctor or midwife. EFSA publishes general guidance on caffeine." |
| "Will it keep me awake?" | "It contains caffeine, so that's possible later in the day. I can make you something caffeine-free instead." |
Avoid describing caffeine as a benefit ("it gives you energy", "keeps you sharp"). That moves from information to an effect claim, which EU rules restrict in menus, boards, posts and other commercial communications, and staff should avoid it at the counter too. What EU rules allow on a matcha menu explains why.
Drinks that need extra care
Dirty matcha and matcha-espresso drinks. These combine two caffeine sources. Make sure the menu description says both matcha and espresso, so guests are not surprised. Recipe structure is covered in building dirty matcha drinks well.
Evening and non-alcoholic menus. If you serve matcha in evening drinks, mention the caffeine on the menu, since many guests do not expect it at night. See matcha in non-alcoholic evening drinks. Hotels serving matcha in a lounge or via room service late in the day face the same question; matcha for hotels covers those outlets.
Double doses and large sizes. If your large drink has more matcha, staff should know it has more caffeine.
Menu wording
A simple line on the menu or board answers most questions before they are asked:
- "All matcha drinks contain caffeine."
- "Dirty matcha contains caffeine from matcha and espresso."
Keep it factual. Do not add a mg figure unless it is based on supplier data for your product and dose, and recalculate it if either changes.
Staff briefing checklist
- [ ] Every staff member can say that all matcha drinks contain caffeine
- [ ] Staff know the dose in grams for each drink size
- [ ] Staff know which drinks combine matcha and espresso
- [ ] Staff know the caffeine-free alternatives on the menu
- [ ] Staff never give a mg figure unless one has been provided and approved
- [ ] Staff do not give personal intake advice; they refer guests to their doctor or to EFSA's general guidance
Next step
Add a caffeine line to your matcha menu and brief staff with the table above. If you want product data, ask your supplier for it in writing; for Yumi, contact us and we will tell you what is available.