Green Tea Extract VS Matcha – What is The Difference Between Them?

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Last Updated on October 19, 2024

Green tea and matcha are beverages consumed for their taste, nutrition, as well as their health benefits. Though alike in color, the two drinks can be told apart from each other. Thus in this article, we’ll be looking at the differences between matcha and green tea.

Source of Green Tea and Matcha

Even though Green tea originated in China, but is grown throughout the world, Matcha, is unique to Japan, and is used mostly in tea ceremonies, they both are products from the Camellia sinensis plant. Thus, you are most likely going to find the same compounds in the making of both products as a result of their common origin. 

Nevertheless, the main differences between this Matcha tea and any other Green tea are in the way they are grown and prepared.

For instance, Green tea leaves after being harvested are dried at high temperatures to prevent oxidation, either with steam heat or with dry heat. Matcha is grown in 90% shade, a difference from green teas usually grown in bright sunlight. 

As a result of this, the number of nutrients and other components like caffeine found in matcha is often different in levels, compared to other green teas because the sunlight affects the composition and concentrations of the compounds present in the tea leaves. 

How Green tea and Matcha Tea are prepared?

While Matcha leaves are processed and ground into a fine powder using a stone mill, green tea dried leaves are often rolled, packed into bags, and prepared differently as well. With more widely consumed green teas, the leaves are extracted with water and the extract is what we usually consume. Also in matcha, water is added to the finely powdered leaves and the leaves themselves are what we consume.

However, green tea preparation can vary, and it is never recommendable to prepare it with boiling water. Most green teas should be steeped at around 150 to 180 F, before steeping it for a couple of seconds to avoid a bitter taste.

If you’re very observant., from the look of things you’d know that matcha is more nutritious than green leaf extract since the entire leaf is consumed in all its nutritive content. This is because green leaf extract is never a full representation of the nutritional quality of the leaf as the whole leaf’s content can barely be extracted.

How to Make Matcha Tea Taste Good and Still Enjoy Its Benefits.

Physical Difference between Green Tea Extract and Matcha Tea

Because Matcha is grown in shadows, the number of amino acids and Chlorophyll in it is often greater than a normal green tea, thus giving Matcha tea a unique taste, astringent taste, followed by a lingering sweetness.

Some quality green teas taste descriptors are sweet, bittersweet, nutty, vegetal, buttery, floral, swampy, fruity, and oceanic. The taste may vary according to the kind of green tea and the way it was grown.

Also, matcha has a better body because of the way it is prepared and whisked with water. Another physical difference is that Green tea extract has a light greenish color, while matcha is of a thicker green color.

Nutritional Differences Between Green Tea Extract and Matcha

If you must know, there are about 200 polyphenol-containing compounds abound in green tea which includes, theogallin, and theanine, among others.  And in just a mug of green tea, there are five calories and 24-45mg of caffeine. Invariably, this will help in lowering your daily calorie intake.

Matcha, on the other hand, contains beneficial antioxidants that promote one’s health. L-theanine, for instance, helps you fight bacteria while the caffeine in matcha aids your relaxation upon consumption. Overall, matcha also helps you prevent obesity for its low caloric value.

The Main Difference in Nutritional Composition

Matcha is ranked higher than green tea on a nutritional scale. The reason for it is the chemical composition itself and the way both teas are prepared and consumed. The entire leaves are consumed in matcha green tea, unlike other types of green tea. Hence, the nutritional value of matcha is higher when compared with green tea.

Health Benefits of Green tea Extracts and Matcha

Green tea extracts have a lot of health benefits for your body when consumed. One of such benefits is that it helps to slow the aging process, by intensifying the body’s immunity to free radicals; hence leaving your skin fresh and young.

Matcha has the same medical uses as green tea extracts, but this time in a higher dimension. Matcha can treat obesity, boost heart health, and lower blood sugar levels, among others, because it has 147 times more antioxidants than Green tea.

How to Make Iced Green Tea With Matcha Powder?

Now that you have gotten to know these two well, let us show you how to make Matcha iced green tea.

Ingredients:

• ¾ teaspoon of Matcha green tea powder
• ¼ cup of water
• ¾ cup hot water (ideal temperature is somewhere between 175 to 180°F)
• 1 teaspoon of honey or maple syrup for sweetening
• Sugar (optional)
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Add the matcha to the liquid measuring cup, preferably a glass one as you will be using quite hot water.
2. Whisk in a little bit of cold water to make a matcha paste.
3. Add the remaining amount of cold water and whisk rapidly for 20 to 30 seconds, or until a thick frothy layer forms. Would you like some friendly advice? For the best foam, avoid circular whipping, rather opt for back and forth, the results are much better. If you have extra willpower and time, you can add matcha powder and cold water to the jar and shake vigorously until it foams.
4. Mix hot water and honey in a cup and stir well until the honey is completely dissolved.
5. Pour the frothy matcha into the mug, then slowly whisk in the sugar to taste.
6. Add ice to the glass, if desired.
7. Enjoy your iced green tea with Matcha powder.

*Keep in mind that traditional Japanese tea ceremonies involve a more complex process of preparing and serving Matcha, but if you consider the fact that sometimes we simply don’t have time for long preparation and want to enjoy the drink in just a few minutes, the above steps will allow you to enjoy this super-delicious tea in a somewhat casual setting.

How Do You Drink Matcha Green Tea?

What most people especially like is the fact that Matcha Green Tea is meant to be sipped directly from the bowl using both hands. If you want to respect and appreciate the culture from which it originates, all you have to do is put your left hand beneath the bowl and your right hand around the side and enjoy.

Here is one more interesting thing for the end. Did you know that traditional Matcha in a bowl is meant to be finished in just three sips, no more and no less? There is no better way to celebrate ceremonies and special events than with a cup of this herbal, slightly bitter, and full-bodied beverage, right?

How Old is Matcha Green Tea?

Matcha is all the rage now and can be found literally everywhere from coffee shops to stores that offer plenty of healthy food. However, did you know that it is nothing new but dates back thousands of years?

Matcha green tea has a long and storied history that dates back to the Tang Dynasty in China (618-907). Warriors drank it before going into battle to reap its energizing properties, and the monks were able to meditate while staying alert. Be that as it may, one thing is certain, it was consumed as a drink and used for medicinal purposes.

Over time, it became more widely available and was accepted by the general population as a beverage and as a way to participate in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, and luckily, today we are all blessed to be able to enjoy this delicious and healthy beverage.

How Much Iron is in Matcha Green Tea?

When you look at its nutritional value, Matcha green tea is rich in potassium, magnesium, and dietary fiber. Moreover, not only, it is an excellent source of iron, with about 0.6 milligrams of iron per just one serving.

It is crucial to note, however, that the quantity of iron in this tea varies depending on the product and how it is made. Namely, the fact is that the quantity can be regularly affected by many factors such as the age of the tea leaves, growing conditions, and the method of processing.

It is well known that this essential mineral plays a crucial role in the production of red blood cells and the transportation of oxygen throughout the body, but it would be preferable not to overdo its intake. On the contrary, moderation is always better than exaggeration as getting too much can be quite harmful to our health.

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FINAL NOTE – Green Tea Extract VS Matcha

I’d want you always to remember that:

•       Matcha and Green tea extracts have a common origin.
•       Matcha is a premium green tea and is rich in amino acids, antioxidants, fiber, and chlorophyll.
•       Matcha has more health and nutritional benefits than green tea.

Feel free to post your questions or contributions in the comment section as your feedback would get to me with a reply following.

I sign off by recommending the UMAMI matcha tea set for you to prepare your matcha and enjoy its benefit.

FAQ’s

Why is Matcha so expensive?

You’d find that compared to other tea types, Matcha is on the expensive side. This may make you wonder why Matcha is so expensive. The reason behind the high price of Matcha tea is as a result of the manufacturing process. It is more tedious to prepare Matcha than other leafy greens. The process that grounds the stones into powder is slow and time-consuming, and you’d expect that it would influence the price of the finished goods. In the end, you’d always find quality Matcha to be worth every penny spent.

Do you put milk in Matcha tea?

Yes, it is safe to add milk to your Matcha. It also depends on your preference. If you want a milky, creamy effect with your cup of green tea, you can add liquid or powdered milk to spice things up. This could increase the nutritional value of your cup of tea. But you should know that if you want to get the benefit from your Matcha, adding in too much milk will alter the therapeutic benefits. The catechin levels will reduce, plus you’d likely not get the strong taste that Matcha is popular for.

Does Matcha have the same health benefits as green tea?

Many people wonder if Matcha and green tea are the same or if they differ from one another. But the truth remains that Matcha is a type of green tea and does have some health benefits for the body. 

You’d find Matcha to be as equally beneficial if not more than regular green tea. It has a higher amount of catechins, plus you’d notice it has a stronger grassy aroma and taste than the regular ones. It does have high caffeine content as well, so you’d find the same serving of Matcha to be stronger than that of green tea. You’d indeed find Matcha to have many health benefits just like any other green tea.

What is the best Matcha green tea to buy?

If you are in the market for Matcha, you will find many options to choose from. But there is an approach to buying the right green tea. And for Matcha, the best option is the one that is made with the best safety practices. The Japanese hold the aces for quality Matcha, so it may be best to consider options that are made in Asia.

Can I substitute green tea for Matcha?

Yes, green tea could be a good substitute for Matcha. But you should know that the taste would be a little off for someone who is used to taking Matcha. You will, however, find it to pack a good punch but not as much as Matcha.

Is Matcha or green tea better for weight loss?

When it comes to weight loss, which is the better option, Matcha or green tea? Simply put, Matcha is a far superior quality option compared to green tea. And this is due to the many compounds such as polyphenol and catechin that you’d find in the mix. But if you are serious about losing weight quickly, you should consider using green tea with other weight loss techniques such as exercising and a proper diet.

Read more about How To Make Plantain Tea

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