Matcha vs Green Tea: Are They the Same Thing?
Matcha and green tea both come from the Camellia sinensis plant, however, they are not the same. Matcha has a unique taste and higher health benefits due to the way it is processed.
What is Matcha?
Matcha is a type of green tea, however, the entire tea leaf is ground into a fine powder, meaning you are ingesting the entire leaf, not just an infusion of it. This type of green tea contains higher levels of antioxidants because you are ingesting the entire leaf.
What’s the Difference Between Matcha and Green Tea?
- Flavor:
- Matcha is much more flavorful than green tea. Matcha has a unique, slightly sweet, grassy flavor. Green tea on the other hand, can be bitter if brewed too long.
- Matcha has much higher levels of antioxidants than green tea and it also contains high amounts of L-Theanine. The combination of these two components makes matcha have potential health benefits such as improved mental alertness and a boost in memory.
- Matcha is prepared differently than green tea. You scoop the powder into a cup, and then add hot water. It is then whisked with a bamboo whisk to create a frothy mixture. Green tea is usually brewed with hot water, allowed to steep, and then the leaves are removed.
Health Benefits:
Preparation:
Conclusion
Although both matcha and green tea come from the same plant, they are not the same. Matcha has a unique flavor and many health benefits due to the way it is processed. Matcha is prepared differently than green tea, which makes it distinct. If you are looking for a healthier option than traditional green tea, matcha could be the right choice for you.
