Green tea is famous for the health benefits it provides and a lot of people around the globe consume it. Matcha is prepared in standard, thin or thick consistency. Initially enjoyed only by the nobles and monks, matcha tea soon gained recognition and became an integral part of the famed Japanese tea ceremony for many centuries. Weight management is stubbornly difficult and involves multiple factors, one of them being the inclusion of healthy foods. Matcha tea powder appears brighter green than ordinary green tea, which can look brown and dull. (7), Studies on matcha tea have indicated that matcha extracts lowered TC, LDL, and triglycerides while elevating the good cholesterol (HDL). Yet, matcha powder is emerald green, naturally sweet and savory, and a totally different chemical composition than regular green tea. However, as of lately, the rest of the world has recognized the outstanding worth of this tea. Green tea is light, delicate and fresh. Owing to the differences in cultivation and processing methods, green tea and matcha tea tend to differ in terms of color and flavor too. While green tea has a light but slightly bitter flavor, matcha is richer and sweeter which makes it more pleasant. Tea sommeliers then blend the matcha to suit their different purposes – culinary or ceremonial - creating the different grades. (15). © 2020 Best for Nutrition. This amino acid apart from boosting taste in green teas also enhances the alpha brain waves that lower stress, aid relaxation, and increase mental alertness. But the clearest winner is Matcha, because it’s pure green tea, which you ingest entirely, not just a brew. Conversely, low-quality matcha has a powdery and granular taste. What is matcha. Only the top leaves are handpicked during spring. Green tea today is grown in several countries such as Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and India, but the majority still comes from China. Matcha tea is found to have 3 times higher antioxidant levels than other green tea varieties. The biggest difference between these four teas is how they are processed and produced from the plant’s leaves. But the one that stands out significantly above the rest of the green tea varieties is the Matcha tea. Though matcha is a type of green tea introduced from China, it plays an important role in the traditional tea ceremony exclusive to Japan. The general method involves taking a teaspoon of matcha powder in a bowl to which 2-4 ounces of hot water with a temperature of under 175 degrees is added, The entire mixture is then whisked using a bamboo whisk until a smooth, frothy layer forms on top. The vibrant color comes from the high levels of chlorophyll, a powerful polyphenol. (17). Green tea and matcha mostly offer the same health benefits but with variations. Drinking green tea or matcha tea can provide various health benefits such as improved cognitive performance, higher antioxidants to protect against diseases, improved heart health, and significant weight loss. Matcha contains higher levels of L-theanine than all other varieties of green tea. Green tea is well known for being one of the healthiest drinks in existence, and has been used historically for both its great taste and many health benefits. Green tea polyphenols are known to be beneficial to health and are used in treating a variety of ailments such as cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular issues, and diabetes. About the product: The smell is like green tea but a tad more earthy. Depending on how it has been processed and any herbs or botanicals that have been added, green tea … The shade-grown cultivation and minimal processing methods ensure more antioxidant content than regular green tea. Summary: Green tea and matcha tea differ in flavor and texture too. Matcha green tea is a traditional Japanese tea. dont think sweetness of a high mtn oolong nor the sweetness of huigan from a sheng. As we all know that both the super-drinks come from the green tea leaves though they have different-different colors, textures, tastes, nutritional values and preparation process. However, you know that green tea and matcha do not really have differences in some aspects: 1. To spot high-quality matcha, the website Epicurious recommends looking for varieties that are bright green and fragrant, and taste "a little sweet, ... A Final Word on Green Tea vs. Matcha. Summary: The L-theanine amino acid is responsible for the relaxing effects and mental alertness that one experiences on consuming green tea. This long and tedious process is the reason why matcha is expensive compared to regular green tea. Since you drink down the actual tea leaves with matcha, though, it … It is the L-Theanine which gives matcha that nice, clean-drinking, green tea taste. But the taste is among the most important characteristics to consider and this is why it is important to look at the taste as one of the most important characteristics when you want to make a choice for yourself. Green tea preparation depends on the type of green tea used but in general, follows the method of infusion. Evidence-based nutrition tips, straight to your inbox. Matcha, on the other hand, is powdered tea obtained from green tea leaves, cultivated, harvested, and processed at a particular stage. It is made from finely ground green tea leaves and is known worldwide for its numerous health benefits and outstanding aroma. Matcha has a powder-like texture and a soft taste when touched, while green tea has a rough leaf-like texture. Matcha possesses a rich, earthy flavor full of umami that can vary slightly depending on soil composition. Culinary grade matcha is also made from young tea leaves, but they are just a bit older. According to the studies, Matcha tea is the premium version of green tea. Green tea has been favored for centuries in China and Japan as both traditional and health-benefiting drinks. Conversely, matcha is a ground, powdered form of high-grade green tea. This shading boosts the chlorophyll, giving it the more intense green color than other green … Studies indicate that matcha with higher quantities of l-theanine may improve cognitive speed and attention in some tasks than other teas. The vibrant color of matcha powder is because of its high levels of chlorophyll, a powerful polyphenol. The Japanese terms ‘ma’ meaning powder and ‘cha’ meaning tea define matcha as ‘powdered tea’. Back to green tea and black tea, the difference is there but it’s not 10 times less. Green tea is high in antioxidants which are in the form of flavanols or catechins. The taste of both will depend on the way you brew it. With Matcha, I have replaced coffee completely with one cup (two of the day is crazy) and only a tiny little scoop out of this huge supply. After harvesting, the leaves go through a grinding process that turns them into a fine powder. Matcha, a particular variety of green tea, is marketed as even healthier than other types. This translates into Matcha as well, since the taste is also described as very powerful, flavorful – you can really taste the green in Macha, but it’s not really like green tea. (5), Research indicates that green tea consumption may effectively help lower the risks of getting heart disease. While green tea has a light but slightly bitter flavor, matcha is richer and sweeter which makes it more pleasant. Evidence-based Articles, Written by Experts. All rights reserved. Summary: Green tea is sun-grown while matcha is shade-grown for the final month before harvest. (2). Though it also made from the same plant but the process of growing and preparing is totally different. Blue Ninja is subtle, light and more floral tasting. Summary: Green tea and matcha tea have deep-rooted histories in different countries. However, the similarities end there. Matcha tea taste. For some, matcha can have more of an acquired taste that you grow to enjoy more and more over time. (10), Studies indicate that matcha tea may be effective in burning fat or promoting fat oxidation in women who engage in regular physical activity such as brisk walking. Matcha typically has 68 mg of caffeine per cup, whereas green tea has about 32 mg. Somewhre the taste of red wine or dark chocolat can be compared with the taste of Matcha Tea. What makes matcha unique is a balance of sweetness, astringency and umami. Only the top two leaves and buds are picked and the shrub regrows fresh leaves for the next harvest. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Green tea is an immensely popular health drink consumed worldwide. There are innumerable varieties of green tea available in the market. The fresh whole leaves are then quickly steamed lightly to prevent the oxidation process from setting in. (14), Some studies show consumption of green tea or extracts can help improve cognitive performances. (6), Intake of green tea has shown to reduce total cholesterol (TC) and bad cholesterol (LDL), both significant biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases. The fine matcha powder is used to create vibrant-colored smoothies and often added to flour during baking. Three weeks before harvest, farmers choose the highest-quality green tea leaves and shade them for slower growth. Both green tea and matcha powder may be described as having a grassy, earthy, or vegetal taste. The remarkable EGCG compound, which is present in Matcha in a significantly higher levels, than regular green tea, increasing its metabolism boosting and thermogenic effects in the body. Black tea can have anywhere between 40 to 120 mg of caffeine in 226 g of tea. Matcha can be served with a sweetener or as a latte. Cultivation:Matcha tea and green tea are cultivated differently. (8). Green tea is generally loose leaf tea which is infused to make green tea. Matcha tea may score higher in terms of nutrition and a much more palatable flavor.