MATSUThe short answer. Roughly 40–70 mg for a 2 g serving — between a cup of brewed tea and a single espresso. A double espresso typically has more.
- Is matcha an allergen? Pure matcha contains none of the major declarable allergens. On a café menu the allergens come from milk, syrups, cream and dessert bases rather than the tea.
- Is matcha vegan? Yes. Pure matcha is ground green tea leaf with no animal-derived ingredients or processing aids.
- Can we say matcha is healthy on our menu? We would advise against health claims — detox, fat-burning, immunity and similar statements are regulated in most markets. Describe origin, grade and process instead.
What is actually in matcha
Genuine matcha has one ingredient: ground shade-grown green tea leaves. No sweetener, no colourant, no filler, no anti-caking agent. Because the whole leaf is consumed rather than steeped and discarded, the nutritional profile differs from brewed green tea.
| Item | Approx. per 2 g |
|---|---|
| Energy | ~6 kcal |
| Caffeine | ~40–70 mg |
| L-theanine | ~20–40 mg |
| Carbohydrate / protein / fat | trace amounts |
| Sugar, added | 0 |
These are typical ranges for shade-grown matcha, not a certificate of analysis for a specific lot. If your market requires exact declared values for packaged retail, tell us and we will discuss what documentation is realistically available for your order.
Caffeine, in context
A 2 g matcha latte lands roughly between a cup of brewed tea and a single espresso. The practical difference customers report is the pace rather than the amount — L-theanine occurs alongside the caffeine in shaded leaf, which is why matcha is often described as a steadier lift. That is a description of the compound profile, not a health claim.
For a bar that serves both, it is useful to know that a double espresso typically carries more caffeine than a standard matcha latte. More on the comparison in matcha vs coffee for cafés.
Allergens and dietary status
Pure matcha contains none of the major declarable allergens — no milk, egg, gluten, soy, nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish or sesame. It is naturally vegan and, being a single-ingredient plant product processed without alcohol or animal derivatives, it is generally considered halal-suitable by nature.
On a café menu, allergens almost always come from the other components: milk and plant milks, syrups, cream products, biscuit and dessert bases. Matcha itself is usually the simplest line on the allergen matrix. Cross-contact in your own kitchen remains your responsibility to assess.
How to describe it on a menu
Menu copy that is accurate and still appealing:
- "Stone-ground Japanese matcha, shade-grown in Uji" — origin and process, both verifiable.
- "Single-ingredient: 100% green tea" — useful for allergen and vegan questions.
- "Whisked to order" — a service fact, not a claim.
- Grade name on premium drinks, e.g. "Uji Signature" — gives your ceremonial drink a reason to be priced higher.
What not to claim
The tempting lines are the risky ones. Unless your business is prepared to substantiate them under your local food-labelling rules, avoid claiming that matcha detoxifies, burns fat, boosts metabolism, prevents illness, or delivers a specific antioxidant benefit. Regulators treat these as health claims regardless of how the sentence is phrased.
MATSU sells Japanese matcha and describes it by origin, grade, colour and use. We do not supply health claims for menus, and we would rather you did not need them — "shade-grown, stone-ground, milled recently" sells the drink honestly.
Frequently asked questions
How much caffeine is in a matcha latte?
Roughly 40–70 mg for a 2 g serving — between a cup of brewed tea and a single espresso. A double espresso typically has more.
Is matcha an allergen?
Pure matcha contains none of the major declarable allergens. On a café menu the allergens come from milk, syrups, cream and dessert bases rather than the tea.
Is matcha vegan?
Yes. Pure matcha is ground green tea leaf with no animal-derived ingredients or processing aids.
Can we say matcha is healthy on our menu?
We would advise against health claims — detox, fat-burning, immunity and similar statements are regulated in most markets. Describe origin, grade and process instead.
Do you provide nutritional certificates?
The figures here are typical ranges rather than lot-specific documentation. If your market requires declared values for packaged retail, contact us and we will discuss what is realistic with our producers.
