Translation result.
[Point Economy] A new report shows that some tea drinks people choose to skip coffee — including milk tea and matcha lattes — can actually contain more caffeine than an Americano.
On May 28, the Korea Consumer Agency released test results after evaluating the quality and safety of 12 tea drinks sold at franchise cafes: six matcha/green tea lattes and six milk teas. Caffeine content varied widely, ranging from 45 mg to 172 mg per cup — nearly a fourfold difference between products.
Notably, Starbucks’ Classic Milk Tea and Twosome Place’s Royal Milk Tea had more caffeine per cup than a typical Americano (132 mg). Those amounts equal roughly 11%–43% of an adult’s recommended daily limit (400 mg). Pregnant people who drink two cups could approach or exceed the pregnancy guideline of 300 mg per day, so extra caution is advised.
The tests also flagged high sugar and fat levels. Sugar per cup accounted for 26%–55% of the daily reference value (100 g). Ediya Coffee’s Matcha Latte topped the list with 55 g of sugar, while Starbucks’ Jeju Matcha Latte had the least at 26 g. Saturated fat ranged from 33% to 79% of the daily reference — meaning drinking multiple cups could push you past recommended limits.
The Consumer Agency recommended that Mega MGC Coffee, Paik’s Coffee (Baekdabang), and Compose Coffee — which didn’t offer sugar-adjustment options — voluntarily add customization. Compose Coffee said it has already added that option, and Paik’s Coffee plans to let customers adjust syrup amounts soon.
On quality control, the agency pointed out inconsistent serving sizes. The same product from the same brand showed volume differences ranging from 36 mL to 119 mL, suggesting cafes need tighter controls to deliver consistent taste and portions.
All products cleared safety tests: no pesticide residues or metallic foreign matter were detected. Prices ranged from 3,500 KRW to 6,100 KRW per cup (approximately $2.63–$4.58) — a difference of up to 1.7 times. Mega MGC Coffee’s and Compose Coffee’s green tea lattes and Paik’s Coffee’s milk tea were among the most affordable, while Starbucks’ drinks were on the pricier side.
A Korea Consumer Agency official noted that because tea drinks are made to order, volumes can vary, so companies should strengthen quality control. And because many of these drinks are high in sugar, consumers should check nutrition information and make use of customization options when ordering.
Most Commented