You already know the benefits of green tea. To say the least, it is one of the most popular drinks in the world. 

It benefits its drinkers in numerous ways - including improved heart health, protects your skin from sun damage, and more.  

Now, there is another variant of green tea that people around the world are going gaga over. 

It’s none other than matcha tea!

Matcha is marketed as a healthier option compared to all other tea options in the market. Also, it is grown and prepared differently from other green teas. In fact, in matcha, the whole tea leaves are consumed.

Today, we are going to dig deep and ponder the hype behind matcha tea. Also, we are going to uncover whether matcha tea is truly better than green tea or not.

NOTE: If you’re already a fan of matcha tea and the benefits it adds to your well-being, then don’t wait a single minute. Order to buy matcha in bulk from Aki Matcha. Aki Matcha is a Japanese family-owned business dedicated to the art and craft of matcha. Their legacy continues from 1933, and they are deeply rooted in the essence of matcha tradition and authenticity.

Coming back to the basics…….

What Is Matcha?

Matcha is a variety of green tea composed of whole, powdered green leaves. Both matcha and green tea are made from the Camellia sinensis plant, which is native to China.

Though matcha, green, white, green, black, and oolong teas come from the same plant, matcha tea leaves are grown and processed differently compared to green tea. 

The matcha tea leaves are protected from the sunlight for a period of 20 - 30 days before harvesting.

This shade gives rise to the chlorophyll levels in the leaves, which in turn makes the leaves grow darker in shade and also increases the production of amino acids.

Tip: Amino acids are the molecules that form the basis of proteins and are crucial for the optimal functioning of the human body. 

After harvest, the veins and the stems of the leaves are extracted from the trees - which is the stone ground into fine, green matcha powder.

In the process of matcha tea harvest, since the whole leaf powder is ingested, it contains more caffeine and antioxidants - compared to green tea.

Obviously, this is higher than a cup ( 237 mL) of regular green tea, which provides only 35g of caffeine. 

Health Benefits of Matcha and Green Tea

Since matcha is a grade of green tea, the health benefits are more or less the same.

However, matcha has a higher concentration of antioxidants - which means a single cup (237ml) of matcha is the same as 3 cups of green tea.

These are some of the benefits of matcha tea:

Abundant in Antioxidants 

Dietary antioxidants normalize free radicals in the body, safeguarding the cells and tissues from damage.

Green Tea

Regular consumption of green tea supplies the body with ample antioxidants - which aids in protecting the body from oxidative stress at the cellular level. 

However, since green tea leaves are soaked and then discarded, so half of the nutrients are lost in this process. 

Matcha Tea 

Matcha is considered to have 3 times higher antioxidant levels compared to other green tea varieties. 

It is brimming with powerful catechin epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).

EGCG aids in reducing body inflammation, helps maintain healthy arteries, and promotes cell repair.

Its shade-grown cultivation and minimal handling methods ensure that the antioxidant level remains intact compared to green tea.

Minimizes the Risk of Heart Disease and Promotes Heart Health 

Heart disease is one of the major causes of death worldwide. 

Green Tea 

Studies show that regularly drinking green tea lowers the chances of heart disease. Alongside, it is also believed to help reduce total cholesterol (TC) and bad cholesterol (LDL) - which are both major contributors to heart diseases. 

Matcha Tea 

Matcha tea contains a combination of high antioxidants, amino acids, caffeine, and heart-disease-fighting vitamins and minerals - which makes it excellent for boosting heart health.

It also has a significant impact on reducing glucose levels - which is another cause of diabetes.

Promotes Weight Loss and Higher Calorie Burn

Weight management is a significant issue in many of our daily lives. It involves several factors - and one of them is the inclusion of healthy food.

Green Tea

Green tea is associated with weight loss. In fact, it is one of the most common ingredients in weight loss supplements.

Having said that, you must remember that green tea is only a small piece of the weight loss puzzle - however, not all studies agree on that.

Studies show that green tea elevates the rate of your total calorie burned by boosting your metabolic rate - but the evidence has not been consistent. 

Matcha Tea

Matcha helps decrease your body fat composition and melt away stubborn belly fat by increasing your body’s thermogenesis - the degree to which your body burns calories. It also promotes fat oxidation in women who participate in some kind of regular physical activity like brisk walking.

Also, matcha tea ranks high nutrition-wise, and it can perform as a fat burner.

According to studies, just 1 -2 cups of matcha daily can help an average person lose 3 lbs within 3 months.

Boosts Short-Term Focus And Memory 

Green Tea

In tandem with being a great source of antioxidants, green tea contains unique amino acids called L-theanine, which does fantastic things to the brain.

It also acts as a neurotransmitter and provides relaxation without drowsiness.

Matcha Tea

Matcha contains much higher levels of L-theanine compared to green tea and other healthy teas. 

L-theanine increases the alpha waves in your brain - which are directly linked to mental relaxation and help fight against stress signals. 

Compared to coffee, which often leads to drowsiness, L-theanine modifies the effect of caffeine in the body, increasing alertness and shortening your reaction time.

Thus, if you want a light and long-lasting buzz, then coffee - matcha is the way to go!

Also, drinking matcha helps sharpen memory and improve focus, mood, and concentration - by increasing the number of feel-good chemicals in the brain.

Its benefits are not only restricted to these!

L-theanine also increases glutathione, which is an antioxidant that fights against free radicals and helps protect neurons and other cells.

Preparation: Green Tea Vs Matcha Tea

The preparation process of green tea and matcha tea are different from each other, which gives each of them a unique flavor.

Green Tea 

Based on the type of green tea, it is prepared through the method of infusion.

In this method, green tea leaves are infused in a cup of hot water or pot for 1 to 4 minutes. The temperature should be between 140-175 degrees, contributing to green tea's light, refreshing, unique flavor. 

Matcha Tea 

Owing to its powdered form, matcha tea is prepared using a swift whisking method. This matcha tea preparation method has been handed down from traditional Japanese matcha tea ceremonies.

In this method, a teaspoon of matcha is added to a bowl of 2-4 ounces of hot water at a temperature under 175 degrees. The mixture is whisked using a bamboo whisk - which gives it a smooth, frothy layer on the top.

Verdict

Matcha is Much Healthier Than Green Tea!

Yes, they both are cultivated from the leaves of the same plant, but matcha goes through a more careful extraction process compared to green tea. Also, green tea is not grown in the shade and is not protected from oxidation.

However, matcha leaves go through these processes, which gives matcha their unique characteristics and flavor. Additionally, since matcha leaves are ground into powder, you end up consuming the whole leaf - which brings more benefits compared to green tea.

Also, green tea may feel light and refreshing, but matcha tea offers many more benefits. In tandem, matcha tea has the advantage of being more appetizing- because of its sweetness and ease of consumption through lattes and baked goods. 

TIP: Matcha tea is healthy, but over-consumption can be harmful. Make sure not to consume more than 2 cups (237 mL) per day.

What’s Next?

 So now that you know why matcha is more effective than green tea, why wait? Visit Aki Matcha and buy matcha in bulk from an authentic seller. They source matcha directly from the lush tea fields of Shizuoka, blending traditional methods with modern techniques to harvest leaves brimming with flavor and nutrients.

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