Matcha vs. Green Tea: What’s the Difference?

Taste, color, and nutritional composition vary between matcha and green tea. Read on to learn more about the differences between these two popular teas.

What is Matcha?

Matcha is a type of powdered green tea made from Camellia sinensis leaves. It is green in color and has a sweet, grassy taste. The leaves used in creating this powdered tea are more mature and grown over shade for weeks before harvest, which gives it its vibrant green color. Unlike regular tea, the leaves are stone-grounded into powdered form.

What is Green Tea?

Green tea is made from Camellia sinensis leaves and is created by steaming the leaves before they are dried. Green tea leaves are not subjected to any oxidation process before they are dried, which gives them their lighter color. Green tea is traditionally brewed, but matcha is whisked with hot water like a latte.

Why Matcha is Preferred to Green Tea

The complexity in flavor can be attributed to the ceremonial preparation of matcha tea and specialized production techniques that set it apart from regular green tea. The great attention to detail during the entire production process makes this tea a special ingredient for Japanese tea ceremonies. Through special methods of cultivation, it ends up being more concentrated in nutrients like antioxidants and caffeine, giving it more health benefits than regular green tea.

Nutritional Differences

While there is no significant difference between matcha and green tea in terms of nutrient content, matcha contains more catechins, which are also known as antioxidant compounds. In particular, matcha contains EGCG or epigallocatechin gallate which is considered to be the most active catechin and has many positive effects on health. It has been said to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and many other conditions. Green teas contain the same amount of caffeine as matcha tea, but because of the way the matcha is brewed, you get much more tea in one cup, which corresponds to more caffeine per cup.

Macha and green tea both offer a wide range of health benefits and distinctive flavors. Matcha usually has a sweeter, more intense flavor than green tea, whereas green tea has a more subtle flavor. While nutrition content is similar, one major difference lies in the preparations and the type of caffeine content and antioxidants present in each tea. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which type of tea suits you better.