Matcha vs Coffee vs d9-Caffeine With L-Theanine

Matcha has a reputation for a steadier feel than coffee, and there is a chemical difference worth knowing: matcha contains L-theanine alongside its caffeine, and coffee does not. A capsule pairing d9-caffeine with L-theanine is a third way to get that combination. Here is how the three compare.

Matcha: caffeine and L-theanine in one bowl

Matcha is powdered whole green tea leaf, whisked into water rather than steeped and removed, so you consume the leaf itself. One 2022 analysis measured about 16 mg of caffeine and about 10 mg of L-theanine per gram of matcha. A typical serving uses about 2 grams, more for a strong bowl, and content varies widely by grade and brand. Matcha also brings green tea's catechins, such as EGCG.

Coffee: caffeine without L-theanine

An 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee contains about 95 mg of caffeine, and that varies with the bean, the brew and the cup. Coffee shop sizes are often much larger than 8 ounces. Coffee contains no L-theanine; that amino acid comes from the tea plant.

d9-caffeine with L-theanine: a measured pairing

Caffeine 2.0 + L-Theanine pairs 22.5 mg of d9-caffeine with 50 mg of L-theanine in each capsule. d9-caffeine is caffeine with nine hydrogen atoms replaced by deuterium, which slows how fast the liver breaks it down. In a 2022 double-blind study in 20 healthy adults, it was absorbed as quickly as regular caffeine and produced four to five times the total exposure over time. Our explainer on what d9-caffeine is covers the research.

The ratio question

Human studies of the caffeine and L-theanine pairing have generally used about two parts L-theanine to one part caffeine: 100 mg with 50 mg in a 2008 study of 27 adults, and 97 mg with 40 mg in a 2010 study of 44 adults. By weight, matcha comes in at roughly 0.6 parts L-theanine per part caffeine, coffee at zero, and each Caffeine 2.0 + L-Theanine capsule at about 2.2 to 1. Because d9-caffeine produces more exposure per milligram than regular caffeine, this is a comparison by weight only, but it shows how differently the three are built.

Side by side

Which one fits you

• Choose matcha if you love the ritual, want tea's other compounds and do not mind variable dosing.
• Choose coffee if coffee is part of your day and its timeline works for you. If you want to add L-theanine to it, read can you take L-theanine with coffee.
• Choose Caffeine 2.0 + L-Theanine if you want the studied pairing in a precise dose, with a longer curve from a single morning capsule.
• If you mix them, count every source of caffeine and keep it to the morning.

Who should check with a physician first

Skip caffeine products, or talk to your physician first, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, under 18, sensitive to caffeine, or have a heart condition, high blood pressure, an arrhythmia, an anxiety disorder or a sleep disorder. Check with your physician or pharmacist if you take prescription medication, including blood pressure medication or sedatives.

How Vita Bloom fits

Caffeine 2.0 + L-Theanine pairs 22.5 mg of patented Deura9® d9-caffeine with 50 mg of L-theanine in every capsule. Start with one capsule in the morning, take up to four a day, and never exceed 90 mg of d9-caffeine. For timing and sleep, see how to take d9-caffeine with L-theanine.

Frequently asked questions

Does matcha have more caffeine than coffee?

Usually less per serving than a cup of brewed coffee, though it varies a lot with how much powder you use and the grade.

Why does matcha feel different from coffee?

Matcha contains L-theanine alongside its caffeine, and it usually delivers less caffeine per serving than coffee.

Is matcha or coffee better for focus?

Both contain caffeine. Matcha adds L-theanine, and the caffeine and L-theanine pairing is the one studied for attention and alertness.

Can I drink matcha with Caffeine 2.0 + L-Theanine?

Count the caffeine from both, keep the total modest and take both in the morning.

Deura9® is a registered trademark of Lennham Pharmaceuticals, Inc. under exclusive license to d9 Designs Inc.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.