Matcha and Green Tea Powder Difference

by Vorst Canada May 03, 2022

matcha green tea difference

DISCLAIMER: This article has been written for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment

Although matcha and green tea powder come from the same plant known as Camellia sinensis and green tea is considered one of the healthiest drinks in the world, the health benefits of green tea become pale when it comes in comparison to matcha powder. It is said that consuming one cup of matcha provides the benefits of ten cups of green tea. So, what is the difference between matcha and green tea powder?

The answer lies primarily in the growing process. Here we’ll discuss the difference between matcha and green tea powder in a little bit more detail along with the comparison of health benefits. So, let’s get started.

What is green tea?
What is matcha?
Difference between matcha and green tea powder
Matcha benefits over green tea benefits
How to use matcha
Precautions and side effects
Final words

What is green tea?

Green tea is a famous type of tea that is derived from the plant known as Camellia sinensis. This is the same plant used for producing other types of tea as well including black tea, oolong tea, and white tea.

Producers of green tea harvest the tea leaves after maturation and immediately heat them for preventing oxidization that can make them brown. There are a number of methods that are used to process the tea leaves such as sun drying, pan firing, and steaming. Then the leaves are rolled and dried again to prepare the final form of green tea.

Steeping these tea leaves into hot water may produce a grassy, earthy, and vegetable-like astringent flavor with an array of health benefits. When brewed they leave behind a yellowish or light brown liquid which is famously known as one of the most popular health drinks in the world mainly due to its antioxidant properties.

What is matcha?

Matcha is a special form of green tea. Producers of matcha use a specialized technique in the growing and processing to turn the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant into matcha powder.

While regular green tea powder is made from any part of the plant bush that is left in the sunlight for a long period of time, matcha is grown under shade meticulously and systematically at least prior to the last few weeks of harvest. This process helps slow down the growth of the leaves and provides certain distinct characteristics.

Growing under the shade toward the last stage of harvest increases the amino acid and chlorophyll compounds in the tea leaves which exponentially multiplies its health benefits in comparison to normal green tea leaves. Furthermore, matcha powder is generally prepared using the traditional stone-ground process with no artificial colors and flavorings, making it rich in natural nutrients intact.

Difference between matcha and green tea powder

Matcha and green tea powder are derived from the same plant family Camellia sinensis as other varieties of tea. The key differences are in their growing and manufacturing processes and their nutritional ingredients remaining in the final products.

Matcha gets special meticulous care through its growing and extracting processes and thus, the extra steps taken for matcha give it unique properties with higher nutrients and richer flavor compared to the green tea powder.

Matcha powder contains more nutrients than green tea powder with higher amounts of polyphenols, antioxidants, and a unique type of amino acid known as L-theanine therefore, matcha powder has been found to have more beneficial effects on the human body compared to green tea powder. Let’s have a look at the health benefits of matcha powder.

Matcha benefits over green tea benefits

The tea plant (Camellia sinensis) is popular for its myriad health benefits. Since both matcha powder and green tea come from the same plant, they show many similarities in terms of health benefits. But, because of their unique growing and extracting processes, their health benefits are slightly different from each other.

Matcha powder contains three to ten times more antioxidants than regularly grown green tea powder. Besides, due to the shade-grown cultivation and extraction techniques, matcha contains excess levels of EGCG or catechin, one of the most potent antioxidants responsible for various positive impacts on health such as supporting weight loss, reducing inflammation, and preventing a range of heart and brain diseases.

Furthermore, both matcha and green tea powder contain caffeine. But due to higher levels of L-theanine contained in matcha powder, caffeine compounds of matcha are absorbed in the body in a slower way and thus, don’t develop any risks of caffeine that are often associated with green tea powder.

Matcha powder contains more nutrients than green tea powder, such as:

Antioxidant catechins (EGCGs)
Chlorophyll
L-theanine
Caffeine

Therefore, matcha powder has been found to have more beneficial effects on the human body compared to green tea powder.

How to use matcha

Servings of matcha powder may vary depending on the health conditions and aims of taking. However, two to three servings of ten grams of matcha powder per day are often recommended by clinicians. Always maintain a few hours gap between matcha consumption and meals or other medications.

Precautions and side effects

Though matcha powder is generally safe and doesn’t produce any adverse effects within recommended doses, always consult with your healthcare practitioner before taking matcha especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications for any underlying health issues.

Final words

Matcha and green tea powder both come from the same plant Camellia sinensis. A special shade-grown cultivation and processing method of matcha sets it apart from regular green tea along with a higher concentration of nutrients and thus, can deliver more health benefits compared to regular green tea powder.

Matcha powder contains more nutrients such as antioxidants, chlorophyll, and caffeine than green tea powder and therefore, produces more positive effects to the human body.

Here you can see Vorst’s natural and sugar free Matcha + Organic Spirulina and Chlorella Powder 600 G.

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