Green tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. In fact, other types of tea, such as black and oolong, also come from the same plant, so it’s commonly referred to as the tea plant. But what makes the various tea types different if they all come from the same place? The main differences are whether the leaves are fermented and oxidized, which refers to the amount of air and heat the leaves are exposed to....READ ORIGINAL & FULL CONTENT FROM SOURCE |
The degrees of fermentation and oxidation affect the color, flavor, aroma, and strength of the tea, differentiating one type of tea from the others.
Green tea is unfermented and unoxidized. All tea leaves start out green, but oxidation darkens them. Since green tea isn’t oxidized, it retains its green hue—hence the name. And since it’s not fermented, it also tends to taste more bitter than other teas, such as black tea. Once the leaves are plucked, they’re usually steamed, pan-fried, and dried.
BREAKING NEWS: “Fornication Is Not A Sin In My Religion” Popular Artist Insisted. See The Face of The Artist Who Said It Here.
The dried leaves are sold loosely or in bags or sachets. Steeping them in hot water yields the beverage millions of people know as green tea.
The taste of green tea is often described as earthy or grassy, but it can also have a floweriness or sweetness to it. Many people enjoy the flavor, while others drink it for the purported health benefits. Green tea generally contains more antioxidants than other types of tea, which could be due to the lack of oxidation, researchers suggest2.
“The antioxidants in green tea have been found to support brain and heart health, while its polyphenols support gut health,” says Maggie Moon, RD, Los Angeles-based dietitian and author of The MIND Diet: 2nd Edition. Green tea, unless decaffeinated, is also a source of caffeine, Moon notes.
Green tea isn’t a significant source of calories and macronutrients, however. According to USDA data3, a cup of green tea contains fewer than 3 calories, 29.4 milligrams (mg) of caffeine, and small amounts of minerals, such as manganese.
Matcha is a type of green tea, so it comes from the same plant. “However, it’s grown and processed in a specific way that sets it apart from regular green tea,” Moon says. “The plants are shaded from the sun prior to harvesting to boost color and reduce bitterness, then the tea leaves are de-stemmed, steamed, and ground into a fine powder,” Moon explains. This labor-intensive process means matcha is generally more expensive than green tea.
While green tea is made by steeping the dried leaves in hot water, matcha is made by whisking the powder in hot water. So, when you drink matcha, you’re actually ingesting the finely milled tea leaves rather than an infusion of them. Because of this, matcha has a more intense flavor than green tea. “Matcha also provides a stronger concentration of beneficial compounds, such as antioxidant-rich polyphenols, compared to green tea,” Moon says, aligning with 2020 research.
The nutritional breakdown of matcha can vary depending on the brand and how it’s prepared, but an April 2024 study found that every 100 grams of matcha powder contains about 56 grams of fiber, 17 grams of protein, and 7 grams of fat4. A typical serving size of matcha powder is about 1–2 grams per cup, so it’s not a significant source of calories or macronutrients. Other research found that matcha powder contains about 11.3–24.67 mg of caffeine per gram5.
Matcha also has cultural significance. It originated in China, but is now mainly consumed in Japan. It’s even used in some Japanese tea ceremonies.
Is Matcha Healthier Than Green Tea?
Both green tea and matcha provide antioxidants and other beneficial compounds. “Since they come from the same plant, they may also have similar benefits,” Moon says. While there is research on the potential health effects of green tea, much of it is inconclusive.
For example, a 2020 meta-analysis found limited evidence that drinking green tea can reduce the risk of certain cancers6. Preliminary research has found that matcha may protect against cognitive decline7, improve attention8, and reduce the viability of breast cancer cells9.
BREAKING NEWS: “Fornication Is Not A Sin In My Religion” Popular Artist Insisted. See The Face of The Artist Who Said It Here.