Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance that can be found in many foods and drinks, including sencha. It’s thought to cause the feeling of wakefulness and boost energy levels.
There are two types of caffeine: natural, found in tea and chocolate, and synthetic, found in soft drinks such as Coca-Cola.
The content of caffeine in sencha ranges between 0 – 17 mg per 8 ounces (237 mL) according to my research. Green tea typically has slightly higher levels than black tea because it uses less oxidation processing for smoother flavor.
1. Green Tea
According to my research, the caffeine content of sencha ranges between 0 – 17 mg per 8 ounces (237 mL).
Nihoncha.net lists the caffeine content as about 10mg, which is lower than baldeun cha and boricha.
The Nihoncha.net website also says that if you’re sensitive to caffeine, you should be careful when drinking sencha because it still contains some amount of it.
2. Boricha and Baldeun Cha
Boricha brewed from roasted green tea leaves has around 15 mg of caffeine per 8 oz (237 mL) while baldeun cha has around 17 mg according to my research.
Boricha is mildly roasted and has a dark brown color.
3. Gyokuro and Matcha
Gyokuro has around 20 mg of caffeine per 8 oz (237 mL) while matcha has about 40-60 mg per 8 oz (237 mL). This is a lot, but it’s still lower than coffee which is typically around 100-200 mg of caffeine per 8 oz or 237 mL.
Keep in mind that this data was obtained from research conducted by several companies including Nihoncha.net and teajapanesetea.com. This information should be viewed as a general guideline, not as the definitive answer.
4. What about black tea?
I could only find one site that listed the caffeine content of black tea (7mg of caffeine per 8 oz/237 mL). Black tea typically has lower levels of caffeine than sencha.
5. What about coffee?
Coffee is a lot more popular in Japan and around the world, so it’s hard to find specific data on sencha’s caffeine content compared to coffee. The consensus I’ve come across is that the average cup of coffee has about 100-200 mg of caffeine, while a cup of sencha has around 5-10 mg according to my research.
Below you’ll find a Japanese site that lists the caffeine content of green tea and coffee.
Green Tea Caffeine Content Coffee Caffeine Content
Green Tea (80mL) 100mg 63mg
Coffee (65mL) 160mg 160mg
Conclusions from this information: It appears as though there is no significant difference between green tea and sencha in terms of caffeine content. It’s not the only substance that has caffeine, and it doesn’t necessarily have any effect on your energy levels. Sencha does not contain any synthetic or natural forms of caffeine, so it cannot be considered “addictive” or “caffeine-free.
6. What about the healthiness and quality of sencha?
Sencha is generally considered to be a better quality tea than black tea or coffee. It’s thought to provide more antioxidants (especially one called epigallocatechin gallate – EGCG), and this makes it healthier for you. The balance of caffeine, catechins, and antioxidants in a cup of sencha is more similar to coffee than black tea or green tea.
7. What about the flavor?
I could find no evidence that the flavor differs from green tea when it comes to caffeine content, but there are some differences in flavor between different brands.
8. What about energy?
Researchers say that it’s important to limit the amount of caffeine you drink because high levels can cause headaches, irritability, and other problems. However, they also say that a moderate amount of caffeine can help boost your energy and increase alertness.
What will this mean for you? This depends on how sensitive you are to caffeine as well as your weight, metabolism, gender, age and other factors. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, I recommend drinking sencha in moderation (once or twice a month).
If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to coffee or black tea, sencha is a great choice.
9. Other studies
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that regular consumption of green tea improves heart health, boosts brain function, reduces inflammation in the body and helps you live longer.
It’s best to stick with a moderate amount — one cup a day — and not overdo it on it as you might black tea or coffee.
10. Should I drink green tea instead of coffee?
No, not necessarily. The fact is that both types have their own unique flavors and benefits. Green tea is less acidic than black tea because it isn’t steeped long enough to be oxidized (which results in more caffeine).
Summary
The amount of caffeine in sencha is not very high. Sencha does not contain any synthetic or natural forms of caffeine, so it cannot be considered “addictive” or “caffeine-free. However, sencha is still a hot drink and can make you feel less tired once you drink it, so enjoy it in moderation!
