Does Decaf Matcha Exist? Yes. Here Is How It's Made and What's Left
By Kiyomi Koike, Founder and ITMA Certified Tea Master · Updated October 2026
Does decaf matcha really exist? I hear this question often, sometimes with a little suspicion behind it. The answer is yes, and it is not a watered-down green tea powder. Our organic decaf matcha powder begins as the same shade-grown, first-harvest tencha leaf as our regular matcha. We remove the caffeine with water and supercritical CO₂ while the leaf is still whole, and only then grind it on a stone mill. It tests at about 6 mg of caffeine per 1.5 g serving, compared with about 41 mg for our regular matcha, and it keeps 86% of its EGCG and most of its L-theanine.
In Japan, where I grew up, nobody thought about decaf; tea was simply tea, and we drank it from morning to night. But many of you have told me you love matcha and cannot drink it after lunch, or while pregnant, or because caffeine does not agree with you. That is why we make this tea. On this page I would like to explain how it is made, what the process keeps and what it loses, how the four decaffeination methods used for tea compare, and who decaf matcha is for. The numbers come from our own batch testing; when a figure is an industry range rather than our measurement, I say so.
| Caffeine | About 6 mg per 1.5 g serving (5.7 mg measured), against about 41 mg in our regular matcha |
| EGCG | 81 mg per serving, 86% of the pre-decaffeination level |
| L-theanine | 23.7 mg per serving (our regular matcha tests at about 28 mg) |
| Method | Two stages: pure-water extraction, then supercritical CO₂. No ethyl acetate, no methylene chloride |
| Leaf | Shade-grown, first-harvest tencha from Japan, certified organic |
| Grind | Traditional stone mill, screened through fine mesh |
| Formats | 30 single-serve sticks (nitrogen-flushed) or a 50-serving pouch |
Does decaf matcha exist?
Yes. I understand why so many people doubt it. Most matcha brands do not offer one, and a few have written that it cannot be done well. Both have a grain of truth. Decaffeination is an extra step that must happen while the tea is still whole leaf, before milling, and very few tencha producers in Japan are set up for it. It is also true that some products sold as "decaf matcha" are really decaffeinated culinary-grade sencha ground into powder, which is where the complaint "it isn't real matcha" comes from.
Real decaf matcha starts where all matcha starts: with tencha, the shade-grown leaf that gives matcha its L-theanine, its color and its umami. Our leaf is grown under shade, picked in the first harvest, decaffeinated as whole leaf, and only then stone-milled. It is the same leaf, with most of the caffeine taken out.
I want to be honest about one thing that applies to every decaf tea and coffee, not only ours: "decaf" does not mean "caffeine-free". It means most of the caffeine has been removed. A cup of decaffeinated tea usually carries 2–5 mg; ours carries about 6 mg per 1.5 g serving, because with matcha you drink the whole leaf rather than an infusion. If you need zero caffeine, the only choice is an herbal tea, not any tea from the Camellia sinensis plant.
How is matcha decaffeinated? Our two-stage process
Matcha is harder to decaffeinate than ordinary green tea. Shading the plant raises its L-theanine, which is what we want, but it raises its caffeine too. A single water pass that would bring a sencha down to decaf levels leaves too much caffeine in tencha, and pushing the water step harder would begin to strip the flavor and the catechins we worked so hard to grow. That is why we use two stages:
- Selection and screening. Organic first-harvest tencha is inspected and cleaned of any foreign material before anything else happens.
- Pure-water extraction. The leaf is steeped in water under carefully controlled temperature, time and leaf movement. Caffeine dissolves in water very easily and comes out first; the conditions are set to stop before the delicate compounds follow it. No chemicals and no solvents touch the leaf at this stage.
- Supercritical CO₂ refinement. The leaf then passes through carbon dioxide held above its critical point (high pressure, moderate temperature), where it behaves like a solvent that dissolves caffeine readily and the larger polyphenols poorly. It removes the remaining caffeine selectively, then simply evaporates and leaves nothing behind. This is the same technology used for the finest decaf coffees.
- Drying and batch testing. The leaf is dried evenly after each extraction, and every batch is tested for caffeine content, purity and flavor before we accept it.
- Stone milling. The decaffeinated tencha is ground on a traditional stone mill and screened through a fine mesh, exactly as our regular matcha is.
- Packing. Single-serve sticks are nitrogen-flushed; pouches carry an oxygen absorber. Both protect the catechins we went to such trouble to keep.
If you would like to see the whole journey, including how our decaf sencha is handled differently, I walk through it on how we decaffeinate matcha and sencha, step by step.
Water vs CO₂ vs ethyl acetate: how tea decaffeination methods compare
Four methods are used commercially, and the label on a tin rarely tells you which one. In short: supercritical CO₂ is the most selective and keeps the most flavor; water is chemical-free but only as good as the control of the step; ethyl acetate takes more catechins with it; and methylene chloride flattens the aroma. Here is what each of them does.
Methylene chloride (dichloromethane)
| What touches the leaf | A chlorinated solvent; US rules allow up to 10 ppm residue in decaffeinated tea |
|---|---|
| How it is usually labeled | "Decaffeinated" (the solvent is not named) |
| Effect on EGCG and L-theanine | Efficient at removing caffeine; moderate catechin loss |
| Effect on flavor | Flattens aroma |
| Used by Yu Tea | No |
Ethyl acetate
| What touches the leaf | A solvent produced from fermented fruit or sugar |
|---|---|
| How it is usually labeled | "Naturally decaffeinated" |
| Effect on EGCG and L-theanine | Tends to take more catechins with the caffeine than CO₂ |
| Effect on flavor | Noticeable loss of brightness; a faint fruity note can remain |
| Used by Yu Tea | No |
Supercritical CO₂
| What touches the leaf | Carbon dioxide under pressure; evaporates completely afterwards |
|---|---|
| How it is usually labeled | "CO₂ decaffeinated" |
| Effect on EGCG and L-theanine | Most selective for caffeine; best catechin and theanine retention of the solvent methods |
| Effect on flavor | Closest to the original |
| Used by Yu Tea | Yes, stage 2 of our process |
Water
| What touches the leaf | Hot water only |
|---|---|
| How it is usually labeled | "Water processed" |
| Effect on EGCG and L-theanine | Chemical-free, but water also dissolves catechins and theanine, so the result depends entirely on how tightly the step is controlled |
| Effect on flavor | Good when controlled; thin when overdone |
| Used by Yu Tea | Yes, stage 1 of our process |
The "Swiss Water" name you may know from coffee is a trademarked water-and-charcoal process for coffee beans; it is not used for Japanese tea. My rule of thumb: if a decaf tea does not tell you its method, assume a solvent.
How much caffeine is in decaf matcha?
About 6 mg per 1.5 g serving, which is one stick or ¾ teaspoon in 6–12 oz of water. If you make a larger latte with 2 g of powder, expect roughly 8 mg. For comparison, here are the figures for every tea we make, next to typical values for other drinks:
| Drink | Caffeine | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Yu Tea Decaf Sencha powder | 4 mg | Yu Tea batch testing |
| Yu Tea Genmaicha | 5 mg | Yu Tea batch testing |
| Yu Tea Decaf Matcha | 6 mg | Yu Tea batch testing (5.7 mg measured) |
| Yu Tea Sencha powder | 15 mg | Yu Tea batch testing |
| Yu Tea Hojicha | 17 mg | Yu Tea batch testing |
| Yu Tea Organic Matcha | 41 mg | Yu Tea batch testing |
| Decaf coffee | 2–12 mg | Industry range |
| Brewed green tea (bagged or loose) | 24–40 mg | Industry range |
| Brewed coffee | 95–240 mg | Industry range |
Figures vary a little by batch and season, which is why we test every lot. If you are curious about caffeine across all the green teas, including gyokuro and bagged tea, I cover it on how much caffeine is in green tea.
Does decaf matcha still have L-theanine and EGCG?
Yes, and to me this is the number that separates a good decaf from a bad one. Caffeine, EGCG and L-theanine are all water-soluble, so any water-based step can remove all three if it runs too long. Here is what we measure in the finished powder:
- EGCG: 81 mg per 1.5 g serving, 86% of the level before decaffeination. A cup of steeped decaf green tea typically gives 5–20 mg, because the catechins stay in the leaf you throw away.
- L-theanine: 23.7 mg per 1.5 g serving, compared with about 28 mg in our regular matcha. Steeped decaf green tea gives roughly 1–5 mg per cup.
The reason is simple, and it is the same reason I fell in love with powdered tea in the first place: you drink the whole leaf, so whatever survives decaffeination ends up in your cup. L-theanine is also what makes matcha taste smooth rather than bitter, which is why decaf matcha made this way still tastes like matcha. If you would like to understand L-theanine better, start with what matcha is and how it is made.
Is decaf matcha healthy? What the evidence says, and what it doesn't
I sell tea, so please read this section with that in mind. I would rather tell you plainly what the research does and does not show than make promises I cannot keep.
What is well supported
Green tea catechins, led by EGCG, are among the most studied antioxidants in any food, and population studies have consistently associated regular green tea drinking with better cardiovascular outcomes (Chacko et al., 2010, review). L-theanine has been tested in randomized trials: in one small, industry-funded four-week crossover trial of 30 healthy adults, 200 mg a day modestly reduced stress-related symptoms and improved some measures of sleep and verbal fluency (Hidese et al., 2019, Nutrients). One serving of our decaf matcha gives you about a tenth of that dose, so I would describe the calm, focused feeling people tell me about as a real but mild effect, not a clinical one. My fuller look at the research is on is matcha good for you?
What is not supported
I do not claim that matcha, decaf or otherwise, prevents disease, "detoxes" anything or causes weight loss. The studies behind those headlines mostly used concentrated green tea extracts at supplement doses, and their results are mixed.
Is decaf matcha safe? Caffeine limits, pregnancy and children
The FDA considers 400 mg of caffeine a day a level generally not associated with negative effects in healthy adults (FDA); the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises under 200 mg a day during pregnancy (ACOG). At 6 mg a serving, decaf matcha sits far below both. The EGCG cautions you may have read about concern concentrated extracts of 800 mg a day or more, which is about ten servings of our decaf matcha taken as a pill; a cup of tea is not that. If you are pregnant, taking medication or have a liver condition, please ask your doctor, as you would about any daily habit. For children, I wrote about my own experience growing up with green tea in can kids drink green tea?
What does decaf matcha taste like?
Like matcha. The umami body and natural sweetness come from L-theanine, which survives the process, so the cup is smooth and full rather than thin. The one difference an experienced drinker will notice is that the sharp, grassy top note is slightly softer. The color stays a vivid green because the chlorophyll from shade-growing is untouched, and the powder whisks to the same foam. If you have had a decaf matcha that was dull, brown or bitter, I would guess it was a solvent-processed culinary grade. For tasting notes on our regular matcha, and why grade changes them, see what matcha tastes like.
Decaf matcha vs regular matcha: which should you buy?
| Per 1.5 g serving | Organic Matcha (regular) | Organic Decaf Matcha |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine | 41 mg | 6 mg |
| L-theanine | 28 mg | 23.7 mg |
| EGCG | 122 mg | 81 mg |
| Leaf and grade | First-harvest tencha, Grade A | Same leaf, decaffeinated |
| Taste | Full umami, bright grassy top note | Full umami, softer top note |
| Best for | Mornings, before exercise, focused work | Afternoons and evenings, caffeine sensitivity, pregnancy (with your doctor's OK), a second or third cup |
If you want the lowest caffeine we make, choose decaf sencha powder at 4 mg; if you want the matcha experience without the stimulant, choose decaf matcha. Many of our customers keep both, organic ceremonial matcha in the morning and decaf after lunch, and that is how we drink it at home too. Both decaf teas are in our decaf green tea powder collection, and my wider guide to decaf options, including bagged and loose-leaf teas, is decaf green tea: benefits, caffeine and how it is made.
How to prepare decaf matcha
Exactly as you would regular matcha. Hot: one stick or ¾ teaspoon (1.5 g) per 6–12 oz of water at 145°F (63°C) or below, never boiling, whisked with a bamboo whisk or a frother. Cold: the same amount in 8 oz of cold water, shaken or stirred. Add milk and a sweetener if you like; for a latte, 2 g of powder stands up better to milk. Step-by-step instructions, and what to do about clumps and bitterness, are on how to prepare Yu Tea.
How we test our decaf matcha
Every batch is tested for caffeine content, and our teas are screened for heavy metals, pesticides and radiation by an independent laboratory. We publish the certificates of analysis for our teas, including the caffeine, EGCG and L-theanine figures, on our lab results and testing page. My advice when you shop: if a decaf tea cannot show you a number for the caffeine that is left, that tells you something.
Decaf matcha FAQ
Does decaf matcha exist?
Yes. Our Organic Decaf Matcha is first-harvest Japanese tencha, decaffeinated with water and supercritical CO₂ and then stone-milled. It contains about 6 mg of caffeine per serving instead of about 41 mg.
Is decaf matcha really matcha?
It is, if it starts as tencha, the shade-grown leaf used for matcha, and is milled after decaffeination. Ours does. A decaffeinated sencha ground to powder is not matcha, even if it is sold under that name.
How much caffeine is in decaf matcha?
About 6 mg per 1.5 g serving (5.7 mg measured), compared with about 41 mg in our regular matcha, 2–12 mg in decaf coffee and 95–240 mg in brewed coffee.
Is matcha caffeine-free?
No matcha, and no tea made from the tea plant, is caffeine-free. Decaf matcha is low-caffeine. The only caffeine-free hot drinks are herbal teas.
Does decaf matcha have L-theanine?
Yes. Our decaf matcha keeps 23.7 mg of L-theanine per serving, compared with about 28 mg in our regular matcha, because the CO₂ stage removes caffeine selectively.
Is decaf matcha healthy?
It keeps most of the catechins and L-theanine of regular matcha (86% of its EGCG, and 23.7 mg of L-theanine against about 28 mg), without the stimulant. It is a food, not a treatment; I make no disease claims for it.
Can I drink decaf matcha while pregnant?
Its caffeine content, about 6 mg a serving, is far below the 200 mg daily limit ACOG recommends in pregnancy. Please check with your doctor about green tea in general, as you would with any daily habit.
Can I drink decaf matcha at night?
Most people can. Six milligrams is less than many cups of decaf coffee. If you are unusually sensitive to caffeine, our decaf sencha at 4 mg is the lowest option we make.
Does decaf matcha taste different from regular matcha?
Slightly: the grassy top note is a little softer, while the umami, sweetness, color and foam are the same, because the L-theanine and chlorophyll are kept.
What is the best decaf matcha?
Judge any decaf matcha by four things: the leaf (tencha, first harvest, origin stated), the method (CO₂ or water, not a solvent), a published figure for the caffeine that remains, and published L-theanine or EGCG retention. We publish all four for ours; please ask any other brand for the same.
