Matcha and other green tea variants are obtained from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, but differ in quality and taste because of unique harvesting and processing techniques.
Regular green tea is clear, transparent, and comprises other leafy components, while matcha is a fine powder of the leaves, eliminating the veins and the stems.
Green Tea vs Matcha benefits: which one is good for my diet? If you are wondering about the same thing, here’s what you need to find out. Both matcha and green tea come from the plant Camellia sinensis. However, there is a significant difference between the two! While green tea is loose and often packed in bags, matcha has a fine powdery consistency. With a stronger concentration of nutrients, both kinds of teas are good for your health. However, the question arises: what sets them apart then?
With the significant benefits of both tea and matcha, it might be hard to decide which one you should pick. Let’s learn more about the flavor profile, nutrient concentration, and other properties to make the right choice.
What is Regular Green Tea?
Tea, for instance, like green tea, is acquired from the plant Camellia sinensis. It could be further categorized into different kinds of tea, like white tea, black oxidized tea, oolong tea, and more. In the case of regular green tea, the manufacturers engage in a quick heating process moments after harvesting is complete. This prevents the oxidation step from beginning, which can turn the leaves brown.
Depending on the kind of tea you consume, there are different methods of processing the leaves, like sun drying, pan firing, or even steaming. Finally, most of the tea variants are then rolled and dried. When you make the beverage at home, steep it in warm water. Green tea has an earthy essence. After brewing, the beverage turns from a clear yellowish green to light brown. You might even experience an astringent flavor when you sip a regular cup of green tea.
What is Matcha?
Matcha is a type of green tea crafted by manufacturers through a specialized growing and processing technique. This turns the leaves of Camelia sinensis into matcha. If a tea plant is grown in the shade towards the final few weeks of harvesting, it protects the leaves from intense sunlight. This consequently slows the growth process and gives it the characteristic Matcha profile.
Once harvesting is done, the tea producers dry the leaves quickly to minimize the chance of oxidation. Then, the stems are separated from the leaves along with the veins that trace the leaves’ surface. The remaining leaf material is then subjected to grinding. It turns the leaves into a powdery, bright-green substance.
To make matcha tea, dissolve the tea powder in warm water. Initially, bamboo whisks were used to remove the lumps in the liquid, giving the beverage its smooth and creamy consistency. In modern days, the use of electric milk frothers and metallic whisks is more prevalent.
With tea vs matcha benefits, there is one more thing to note! Matcha is vibrant green, and based on the preparation technique, it can be foamy and topped with a layer of froth. The grassy and earthy flavor is complemented by the bitter and sweet undertones. You can add milk or other artificial sweeteners to enhance the flavor and make it mellower.
Green Tea vs Matcha: What is the Difference?
We know that matcha and green tea come from the same plant. However, the production process varies, subsequently altering the taste of the beverages. Matcha goes through a more rigorous process. Further, protecting the leaves from the intense sunlight offers matcha a distinct taste. In case of any other tea, there are different processing techniques like drying, heating, and oxidation. Depending on the kind of tea under production, the process technique varies.
As a result, the end products are either regular green tea or matcha. While green tea is clear, light, and refreshing, matcha has a bold and strong grassy essence. Matcha contains an entire concentration of pulverized leaves, which sets it apart from a regular tea beverage. You can mellow down the flavor of matcha with any artificial sweetening agent, like sugar cubes or honey.
The boldness of matcha makes it even more popular among tea enthusiasts. People drinking matcha generally add dairy or plant-based milk to create a rich latte. The caffeine content of the drink might vary based on the preparation method.
The cost of matcha is higher than that of green tea. This is because matcha is a fine powder of green tea leaves, while the regular green tea comprises leaves, stems, and veins.
Green Tea vs Matcha Benefits
Health Benefits of Green Tea
Green tea holds medicinal value and has been known for its therapeutic effects for ages among different cultures. The following are the major benefits of drinking tea every day:
- Offers greater mental clarity and alertness: If you are tired and sleepy in the middle of the day, a cup of tea can give you the energy kick you need.
- Improve memory: Drinking tea every day has an impact on your memory. It helps you to activate your mind and learn things faster.
- Relief headache: Drinking tea during a headache is also helpful. Research suggests that a warm cup of tea can soothe migraine pain.
- Promotes weight loss: Consuming tea every day also helps with weight loss. Patients with obesity are often asked to have tea as a natural means to lose a couple of calories.
- Facilitates digestion: Having tea after a heavy meal helps with digestion. Often, symptoms of bloatedness are relieved through a cup of regular tea.
- Beneficial for the skin: Antioxidants present in the tea reduce cellular damage and may even minimize photoaging.
- Empowers autophagy: Certain forms of green tea induce autophagy, promoting rapid removal of old and damaged cells. It further helps reduce stress and slows down neurodegenerative disorders.
Health Benefits of Matcha
Several health benefits of matcha align with those of green tea. However, it is the harvesting, processing, and preparation techniques that intensify the strength of certain compounds in matcha. The following are the benefits of matcha:
- Enhances cognitive behavior: Matcha helps to enhance cognitive behavior and memory. Thiamine present in matcha boosts concentration and focus at work.
- Reduces oxidative stress: With the presence of catechins in Matcha, the oxidative stress leading to cell damage is minimized. Moreover, it helps to combat the level of toxin generation in the body.
- Controls blood sugar level: Matcha improves insulin sensitivity in our body and consequently regulates the overall blood sugar level.
- Impacts gut health: Matcha contains catechins, which are beneficial for gut health. It reduces inflammation in the gut lining and increases the rate of nutrient absorption.
Which is Better for You? Tea Vs Matcha
Some of the benefits of tea and matcha are quite similar since they are derived from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. However, investing in matcha can help you increase the consumption of certain compounds. For instance, catechins, l-theanine, and chlorophyll are present in greater concentration in matcha than in regular tea.
Further, the brewing process also plays a significant role in enhancing the benefits of such beverages. Some compounds in green tea may not always diffuse in hot water when preparing the beverage. However, matcha, a fine powdery substance, has a consistency that makes it easier for the compounds to dissolve fully in water. Hence, you can increase your nutrient intake significantly if you opt for matcha to replace the regular green tea options in the market.
Enriched with higher levels of antioxidants, matcha is considered a better pick over any other variant of tea for daily intake.
Conclusion
In the debate of tea vs. matcha benefits, we must consider the fact that matcha is always a better option. However, the bold, earthy flavors might not be your first choice. Adding artificial sweetening agents can help you acclimate to matcha and its bold, grassy undertones.
While obtained from the same plant, the harvesting and production techniques make the flavor and nutrient profiles unique.