How is Matcha different from green tea?

The health benefits of green tea have been known since ancient times . It is appreciated on all continents, but there is another type of this tea called matcha , which is gaining even more attention for its beneficial properties. If you are wondering what is special about it and how it differs from traditional green tea, you will find all the answers below.

Same plant – different production process

Both matcha and green tea are derived from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant, but these teas differ due to their special cultivation and production methods.

Regular green tea is made from all the tea leaves grown, regardless of their age or cultivation. The production process uses heat and then the leaves are crushed.

The method of making matcha is much more refined, using only young green tea leaves, which are steamed and ground into powder.

When we drink regular green tea, we taste the entire harvest, while a cup of matcha contains only the leaves from the first harvest. The first harvest is always considered the best and highest quality harvest.

What's more, matcha leaves are grown under cover for two to four weeks before harvest to avoid direct sunlight, a protection from the hot sun that regular green tea can only dream of.

So, the process of making matcha is much more complicated and expensive than green tea. The question is, does the cost of this process mean that the product itself is better? In this case, it definitely is!

Taste: milder and richer

Since matcha leaves are protected from the sun for the last two to four weeks of cultivation, this reduces the production of catechins, which cause bitterness. As a result, matcha tastes mild, slightly sweet, and leaves a richer green tea aftertaste. These nuances are appreciated in traditional tea ceremonies.

Nutritional value and health benefits

Due to its unique growing and manufacturing process, matcha tea has a much higher nutritional value than regular green tea, which means its health benefits are also much greater.

The secret is that the young leaves used for matcha powder retain a higher level of vitamins and antioxidants. Their unique growing process also increases the chlorophyll and amino acid content, creating a darker green color.

What's more, when you drink matcha , you swallow the entire tea leaf, so you get the full nutritional value of the green tea plant. Studies show that matcha tea contains at least 3 times more EGCG than popular types of green tea (and up to 137 times more EGCG than certain brands of green tea).

Due to its high nutritional value , matcha is considered a superfood that can:

• improve mental performance;
• provide an anticancer effect;
• help protect heart function;
• help protect the liver;
• help lose weight.

Caffeine differences

• Green tea: ~28 mg of caffeine.
• Matcha per cup: ~35–70 mg of caffeine.
• In coffee: ~100 mg.

Matcha caffeine combines with L-theanine to provide calmer, more even energy. Read more: How much caffeine is in matcha tea?

Why choose matcha?

Not only is matcha higher in nutrients and antioxidants, it also has a milder, more pleasant flavor. It's perfect for classic tea, lattes, cocktails, or desserts.

Want to try it? Order our matcha tea online.