Green tea vs matcha: Is green tea matcha?

Green tea vs matcha

Let’s explore how matcha is different from green tea.

Both matcha and conventional green tea originate from the same Camellia sinensis plant. This is a species of evergreen wood plant shrub, with its leaves used for making tea. Although both have root origins from the same plant, the usage, taste, farming and nutrition all have broad differences.

What makes matcha so special compared to traditional green tea?

A big part of matcha’s magic is how it’s prepared.

Preparation is very different to the more general green tea. It’s been developed through experiments over hundreds of years. As a result, some Japanese & Chinese providers have mastered and passed on the skills needed to attain the finest quality and highest-grade ceremonial matcha. For more on their methods, find out how is matcha made?

Green tea leaves are usually brewed in hot water and then discarded, while pre-ground tea leaves are blended into the drink with matcha. This ensures you consume the whole leaf, along with all the wonderful nutrients, so you keep all the health benefits of matcha.

Consuming the whole leaf means you maximise the intake of naturally occurring properties in the green leaves. These include L-theanine, caffeine, and EGCG. With other teas, you only take the liquid, minus the plant. So it’d be like making a vegetable soup, only to then throw away the vegetables and only drink the liquid.

Here’s another reason matcha is so special. The tea leaves are shaded for a few weeks before being harvested.

This means the plant produces more L-theanine and caffeine during this shaded growth period, along with a bunch of similarly useful compounds and properties.

Where to use matcha tea powder?

The matcha has many varied functions. You can use matcha in cooking, for example when making lattes, pancakes, and macarons.

In terms of texture, matcha powder has a “fluffier” touch. Traditional green tea tends to give a granular feel – just like the grinded and even full leaves.

Weight loss

Matcha helps increase the metabolism of the body, a key feature for reducing your weight. The L-theanine present adds a calming effect, making this the perfect drink when you want to relax.

137 times

Catechins are natural oxidants, helping reduce damage to your cells and skin.

While many teas have catechins present, some have more than others. And some, like matcha, have up to 137X as much ECGC (the main catechin present in green tea) as China Green Tips green tea, and at least three times as much as regular green teas¹.

Digestion

When it comes to the gut and digestive systems, matcha has many benefits when compared to green tea. The high quantity of vitamins A and C in matcha is great for detoxification and renewing body cells.

Memory boosting

We all function better when we have a calm, focused mind.

That’s why the mood-stabilising properties from matcha’s L-theanine can help you in so many ways. After all, the more settled and organised you feel, the more productive you will be.

Green tea vs matcha – who wins?

Both traditional green tea and matcha green tea are both excellent products, with different flavours and different usage.

It’s fair to say matcha tea is more versatile, given how you can use the tea for different purposes, from drinking to food preparation. Also the fact that you consume the tea rather than just the water means matcha is generally more nutritious.