MATCHA Vs GREEN TEA: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN?

Today, millions of people are addicted to tea. It is regarded as the most consumed beverage following water. If we look at the statistics of people drinking tea, 2 billion people start their day with a cup of tea. Approximately 3 billion tons of tea is manufactured annually for consumption worldwide. In Pakistan, there is a 35.8 percent increase in tea consumption per capita in recent times. Tea imports have been increased by 2-3% a couple of years ago. Given this scenario, Pakistan is in the 7th position of high tea consumption countries. So, it is not erroneous to say that now tea is running in the veins rather than blood. 

Types and History of Tea

There exist a diversity in tea such as black tea, green tea, matcha tea, white tea, herbal tea, oolong, and fermented tea. If we Talking about green tea and matcha tea, both are extracted from the same plant Camellia Sinensis bush. If we trace back the roots of Camellia Sinensis, we realized that it was obtained approximately 5000 years ago in China. A Chinese Emperor discovered it. In ancient times, green tea was treated as a valuable medicine accessible only to the cotton club of the society then. The famous book ‘The Classic of Tea’ was the pioneer describing green tea’s art and culture in China. Green tea comes in a teabag while the matcha is available in powdered form.

Green Tea

It overall has many health benefits. Green tea includes anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that improve the overall appearance and minimize the chances of getting cancer. Because it has anti-mutagenic properties that reverse the process of mutagenesis. Meanwhile, scientists are still working to counter the effects of mutagens that cause various illnesses. Additionally, green tea helps in reducing body pain and aches. Regular consumption of green tea results in a loss of body fats and keep individuals healthy.

Green tea has some anti-aging components that reactivate dying skin cells and prevent an individual from getting older. It involves catechin, which prevents the cells from damaging.

Moreover, it has some in-built antioxidants called epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG to detoxify the liver and enhance the immune system’s activity to fight against invaders. Green tea has a crucial role in treating heart diseases, kidney diseases, liver malfunction, and various skin diseases. An interesting fact about green tea is that it also facilitates normal dental health. Flavonoids present in the oral cavity are balancing with the help of green tea. It also prevents the chances of inflammation. You can also review when to drink green tea before or after the meal

Matcha Tea

Matcha has the same advantages as green tea. But the reason why matcha is superior to the latter is that it enhances the merits ten times than green tea. All the benefits are its skin properties, health benefits, anti-aging properties, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties; matcha gives a more intense and enhanced response than green tea in less consumption. Ten cups of green tea are equivalent to one cup of matcha tea. An intake of matcha tea gives a sound mind in a sound body. In a nut-shell, whatever benefits green tea provides, matcha tea does it way better! 

The difference between Matcha and Green Tea

There lies a distinction in a way in which both green tea and matcha are manufactured. Green tea is more in a dried form and designates a much prolonged period. Its leaves are left open in the sun. Comparatively, matcha leaves are appropriately covered and kept under shade to elevate the levels of chlorophyll. Meanwhile, amino acid level increases as well. As a result, green tea is present in a tea bag and matcha in powder.

In terms of taste, it depends on the addition of various herbs or botanicals in green tea. So, it may taste like sweet, savory, and fruity. It may exist in different flavors such as peach, jasmine, citrus, ginger, and honey. At the same time, matcha tea has a vibrant, sweet, and concentrated taste. Sometimes, it also a buttery flavor. 

The cultivation of both green tea and matcha is different. More than half of green tea originally comes from China, while the latter is cultivated from Japan. Green tea is exposed to sun, and matcha is shade-oriented. Moreover, green tea can be produced by various methods, including pan-firing, sun-drying, and basket-firing. Secondly, it can also be made via modern methods: over-drying, steaming and tumbling. The primary purpose of this vigorous preparation is to remove all the bitter components and to maintain the original natural tea flavor. Compared with matcha, the leaves of matcha are taken out of roots, deveined, and exposed to the sun in a covered form to curb and halt the oxidation process. This step permits the bright color to matcha to retain along with taste. 

Health benefits of green tea and matcha

Though green tea and matcha are derived from the same plant Camellia Sinensis, therefore, they have somehow similar interests. Still, the difference lies because of varying methods of processing and cultivation. It has been said that matcha is ten times healthier and nutritious than green tea. 

Conclusion

Both green tea and matcha tea have tremendous benefits. Green tea serves its purpose while matcha serves its own. The only differences that appear between them lie in cultivation, processing, and to some extent, in health benefits. Moreover, there is a clear distinction in the presentation of both teams as well as in taste. Green tea has a light and delicate flavor. Comparatively, matcha has an intense feeling. The benefits mentioned above and differences are for the people to choose which tea suits them better. Some people prefer green tea may be because of its taste, while others prioritize matcha tea. And there comes a chunk of people who do not distinguish between them. They welcome both matcha and green tea. So, let your taste buds do the talking! 

Medical Disclaimer: All the content available on the website is just for informational purposes. It’s not a substitute for any Professional advice. Don’t take it personally. As a medical student, I’m just trying to use my information through my content, and please keep in mind it’s not written by a professional doctor. Use the data just for educational purposes.