Matcha and green tea both come from the Camellia sinensis plant, but the similarities largely end there. From cultivation to preparation, these two teas offer distinctly different experiences.
How They're Grown
Green tea leaves are grown in full sunlight and harvested throughout the growing season.
Matcha bushes are shade-covered for 20-30 days before harvest. This shade-growing process boosts chlorophyll production (giving matcha its vivid green colour) and increases L-theanine content.
Processing
Green tea leaves are steamed, rolled, and dried. They retain their leaf shape and are meant to be steeped in water.
Matcha leaves (called tencha) are steamed, stems and veins removed, then stone-ground into a fine powder. When you drink matcha, you're consuming the entire leaf.
Nutritional Comparison
Because you consume the whole leaf with matcha, it delivers significantly more nutrients per serving:
- Antioxidants (EGCG): Matcha has roughly 137x more EGCG than standard green tea
- Caffeine: Matcha: ~70mg per serving vs. Green tea: ~30mg per serving
- L-theanine: Matcha has 5x more, promoting calm alertness
- Chlorophyll: Significantly higher in matcha
Flavour Profiles
Green tea offers a lighter, more delicate flavour that varies by variety. Our Sencha has grassy, slightly sweet notes, while our Dragonwell has a nutty, chestnut-like character.
Matcha is richer and more full-bodied, with a distinctive umami sweetness and a creamy mouthfeel when properly whisked.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose green tea if you prefer a lighter, everyday tea that's easy to prepare and enjoy throughout the day.
Choose matcha if you want maximum health benefits, a unique ceremonial experience, or a versatile ingredient for lattes, smoothies, and baking.
At HealThEA, we offer both premium Japanese Sencha green tea and ceremonial-grade Kyoto Matcha, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
