Exploring The Difference Between Matcha & Green Tea

You might just love the taste of matcha or green tea, or you stomach it because of its health benefits. There's more to green tea and matcha than just their unique flavor, here's all you need to know!

Green tea and matcha have been around for a while now, and with growing popularity, they’ve become a staple on menus everywhere you go. They pack excellent benefits for your health and even aid in weight loss!

If you don’t know, these teas both come from the same plant, the Camellis Sinensis plant, but they don’t look or even taste the same. So what is the difference between matcha and green tea?

How They’re Prepared

Tea leaves are usually picked from the trees and then allowed to ferment, which is how they get their rich black color that provides us with the antioxidants in our tea. Green tea, however, has to be steamed in order to release those antioxidants when making the tea.

Matcha has to be prepared from the Camellis Sinensis trees that are grown in the shade rather than the sun. The leaves are then ground into a powder through which you can get all the antioxidants and nutrition, so you’re not just drinking the water!

Caffeine Content

Matcha has a whopping 70mg of caffeine in it compared to green tea’s 28mg. It’s still significantly less than a cup of coffee, but it’s a high caffeine content for a tea!

Matcha also has an amino acid called L-theanine,e which has soothing properties, unlike your regular cup of coffee. So if you’ve got stress-induced anxiety, this might be more calming than your regular cup of coffee!

Price

Green tea is a lot less expensive than matcha, especially if you’re opting for high-quality matcha powder. The high-quality matcha is sourced straight out of Japan and should be brighter in color with a fragrant taste, which is why it’s favored over green tea.

The cost of processing those leaves and it’s better health benefits are why the price is much higher. And when you’re opting to have it at a coffee shop, you’re going to be spending much more!

Flavor

Green tea is lighter and has a slightly fresher taste because of its processing, and it may even be blended with other teas like jasmine or mint for flavor or benefits. One thing you never want to do is stir some milk into your green tea!

On the other hand, Matcha has a slightly richer flavor that is more intense because the entire leaf is used. What makes matcha distinguishable from green tea is that it’s actually preferable to mix it with milk to create a velvety texture!

Health Benefits

Both matcha and green tea are filled with antioxidants, and one specific antioxidant catechins, which offer benefits against heart disease, cancer, and even inflammation. The anti-inflammatory properties can influence your acne breakouts.

So the next time you have a choice between matcha and green tea, you’ll be equipped with all the information you need. Enjoy your next cuppa, and happy sipping!