Tea is the name of happiness around the world. There are many types of tea we consume. Among them, green tea is becoming famous around the world at present. Matcha is also considered a healthy beverage. Matcha and green tea are both popular for tons of antioxidants. Both have several health benefits; even both are derived from Camellia sinensis plants.
However, they have plenty of health benefits but have some differences also. Are you curious to know the difference between green tea and matcha? We will try to explain some of the basic differences. Though they are much in common in differences in cultivation and process, matcha and green tea are different.
What is Green Tea?
Green tea is becoming a popular beverage nowadays. It is processed and made from unoxidized leaves. In China, green tea is used as traditional medicine. Because researchers found many potential health benefits from green tea, it is fully loaded with antioxidants and contains bioactive compounds.
What is Matcha?
Matcha is one kind of green tea. This bright green powder is quite different from other regular green tea. It is high in EGCG, which can fight cancer. Matcha is now popping up everywhere because it is colorful and delicious. Though it is slightly bitter, matcha is getting popular for its natural antioxidant.
Fundamental Difference Between Green Tea and Matcha
Cultivation
The research found that 80%of green tea is produced in China, but matcha originated in Japan. Many people call matcha Japanese green tea. Though green tea is famous around the world, matcha was invented in the twelve century. The cultivation of green tea and matcha is different. Nowadays, green tea is being cultivated in other places of the world besides China. Matcha is only produced in Japan. Matcha is a Japanese word; Ma means powder, and cha means tea. For making matcha, they take tea leaves and grind them as powder. And this plant is harder to grow.
Health Benefits
Both matcha and green tea have numerous health benefits. Green tea is considered the healthiest beverage in the world. L-theanine, this amino acid, is higher in matcha. Matcha contains 45miligram L-Theanine, whereas green tea contains 3 grams. Also, matcha contains EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallates), the more powerful oxygen. Altogether, matcha has more antioxidants rather than green tea. Japanese are healthier; studies show that by consuming matcha, they can maintain a proper diet. Antioxidants can boost immune systems and regulate body temperature and help to boost energy. So, for antioxidants, matcha is three times potent than regular green tea.
Process
Though green tea and matcha have come from similar tea plants, the process of production is quite different. For matcha, it is prepared under the shield to boost a more nutritious composition. Covering heavy shield matcha is a more concentrated amount of antioxidant than green tea. For best quality matcha, farmers use fresh, healthy leaves, then dry them to make powder. Green tea allows taking the extract of the green leaf, where matcha allows to take the whole leaf as powder.
Color and Texture
Matcha tea powder appears more vivid green than regular green tea, which can look brownish and muted. The lively color originates from the significant levels of chlorophyll, a potent polyphenol. Matcha powder is a delicate, velvety powder that feels smooth and creamy, like talc. Green tea seems rough, like crushed-up leaves.
Flavor
Green tea is fresh and light. It tastes vegetal and grassy. When other flavors have been added to green tea, they can get different flavors such as jasmine, peach, or other fruity or floral effects. On the other hand, matcha has a strong and natural flavor. Sometimes it is blended with sweetener for sweet texture and taste.
Preparation
For matcha, it is prepared with matcha powder in hot water. Japanese use a bamboo whisk to blend. You may use an electric frother to whisk. Green tea is easy to make. You just need to boil the water, then soak the tea bag; after a while, you can enjoy a sip. For preparation, check the instructions on the package.
Caffeine
Green tea carries about half the caffeine content of black tea and a quarter of the caffeine of coffee. Matcha green tea carries a little more caffeine, as the study shows around half the quantity per cup compared to coffee.
Purposes
The Japanese tea ceremony, chanoyu that means “hot water for tea,” includes making and drinking matcha in a ritualistic manner. Zen Buddhist monks started the tradition in Japan from China throughout the ninth century. Green tea powder is not connected with a ceremony but is frequently used in restaurants. “It is usually utilized for cooking and baking purposes or sprayed on top of various foods.
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Safety And Possible Side Effects of Matcha and Green Tea
Green tea and matcha both are usually safe for most individuals. However, possible side effects may appear due to the caffeine of these beverages. As previously remarked, green tea has a significantly lower caffeine content than matcha. So it can be a more appropriate option for somebody aiming to reduce their caffeine consumption. Extreme caffeine consumption symptoms include sleeplessness, agitation, headaches, irritation, repeated urination, a fast pulse, and tissue tremors. Nursing and pregnant women should try to restrict their caffeine consumption to 200 mg per day. Children and teens should not intake caffeine if not necessary.
How to Pick Between Matcha Tea or Green tea?
Matcha is a drink for quiet, lazy enjoyment. It requires persistence and experience to make a perfect bowl. Contrary, green tea may be more straightforward to brew, but it still demands patience. If you want to prepare tea, go for matcha. Also, you can combine it with smoothies, cakes, frappes, lattes, shakes, desserts, and even mix it with other beverages, for example, sencha and genmaicha. It produces a potent flavor that will add freshness and a unique tone to desserts. However, matcha may not be the most suitable tea for making large amounts of iced tea. Traditional loose leaf green tea is excellent for that purpose.
Final Words
Matcha and Green tea both have healing influences on the body. Both the teas are pretty alike when it becomes a matter of health benefits. A hot steaming cup of both can energize your sensations and heighten your physical and mental processes. Matcha provides you more of everything because of the higher nutrient consistency and the fact that the whole leaves are used. It is also better fitted for use as a cooking element, granting you many more choices for taking the help of tea’s health benefits. But that doesn’t conclude which is better for you, and we have tried to discuss which tea provides you with what, now the decision is yours to take.