If you’re an avid matcha enthusiast like we are, you’ve probably noticed matcha lattes on MatchaTok are trending greener. And honestly, we get it. That deep, vibrant green is stunning, and matcha lovers know it can be a sign of freshness and quality.
But here’s the tea: color tells two stories. A beautiful green can reflect high-quality matcha, and it can also reflect how much matcha is in the cup. So while an extra-green latte might look like “premium matcha energy,” sometimes it’s simply a much higher dose than you actually need.
We’ve noticed cafés increasing matcha grams in drinks, and we wanted to clarify where we stand.
At Matchaful, our standard is 4 grams.
Every matcha (and houjicha!) drink is crafted with 4g, because for us, that’s the sweet spot. Here’s why:
1) You might be drinking more caffeine than you think.
If you’re a coffee-to-matcha convert, you probably know the feeling: jitters, heart palpitations, sweating… not exactly the vibe.
Matcha contains L-theanine, an amino acid that works with caffeine to help support that calm, focused energy matcha is famous for. For a lot of people, it makes the energy feel more steady and gentle.
But when you start stacking high-gram drinks, your caffeine can add up fast. If you have a morning matcha and a midday pick-me-up at 6g each, you’re gulping down 384 mg of caffeine and creeping right toward the FDA’s recommended daily caffeine limit of 400 mg.
Even if you feel fine in the moment, consistently overdoing caffeine can contribute to digestive issues, high blood pressure, disrupted sleep, and dependency.
2) Matcha is precious (and we mean precious).
You’ve probably heard about it: the global matcha shortage isn’t just internet buzz. And as prices rise (some reports estimate over 200%), we think it’s even more important to respect the farmers behind every sip.
Matcha is made from shade-grown leaves, carefully harvested and stone-ground. It’s truly a labor of love.
So instead of building bigger cups with bigger scoops, we’re choosing to sip with intention and keep recipes balanced, thoughtful, and sustainable.
3) More matcha isn’t always a better matcha experience.
At Matchaful, our goal isn’t “the most dramatic green.” It's the best tasting drink.
Our recipes are designed to highlight the quality and cleanness of every ingredient: the matcha, the milk, the sweetener (if you add it), everything. And that balance has come from years of testing, refining, and listening to your feedback.
So yes, a latte with more grams might look deeper green on camera, but that doesn’t automatically mean it’s better. Sometimes it just means more intensity, more caffeine, and less balance.
Want a more matcha-forward sip without going overboard?
We got you. If you want a bolder matcha taste without turning your drink into a caffeine endurance test, try an au lait (mostly water and matcha, finished with a splash of milk) or a simple straight matcha.