Matcha vs. Green Tea... They seem similar, but how do their health benefits differ?

Cafe beverages, cakes, ice cream, and other desserts always feature the flavors of green tea (綠茶) and matcha (抹茶). Green tea and matcha taste similar and have similar colors, making it difficult to tell the difference. At first glance, they are hard to distinguish, but their manufacturing methods are different.

The raw materials for both green tea and matcha are 'Camellia sinensis' (tea plant). Green tea is made by steeping the tea leaves directly in water or grinding them into a powder form called 'powdered green tea'. Since powdered green tea is ground down to include the veins of the leaves, its particles are coarser than matcha powder. Its color is a clear light green. Matcha is cultivated through a process called 'shade cultivation', where the tea plants are grown in the shade for 15 to 20 days. Thanks to shade cultivation, matcha has a relatively less astringent taste compared to green tea. Additionally, its particles are finer than green tea. The color is a deep green, and it has a more bitter taste compared to green tea.

Green tea and matcha differ in their nutritional components. One cup of green tea contains about 2 kcal, while matcha has approximately 4 kcal. Unlike green tea brewed in water, which is consumed as a liquid, matcha involves ingesting powdered tea leaves directly, resulting in a higher amount of polyphenols, which are antioxidants. Polyphenols help prevent heart disease, certain cancers, and delay aging. According to a study from the University of Colorado, the EGCG content in matcha is about three times higher than in green tea. EGCG, a type of polyphenol, reduces inflammation and prevents cell damage. Additionally, matcha contains higher levels of L-theanine compared to green tea. L-theanine is an amino acid that has a calming effect on stress. A study from Shizuoka University in Japan found that participants who drank matcha experienced a greater reduction in stress compared to those who did not drink matcha.

However, matcha contains a high amount of caffeine. According to the American health media 'Everyday Health,' a cup of brewed green tea contains about 30-50mg of caffeine, while matcha has about 70mg, similar to a shot of espresso. Unlike green tea, which is made by steeping tea leaves in water, matcha involves consuming the entire ground leaf. Both teas are healthy, but drinking 2-3 cups a day is recommended. Drinking too much or consuming it immediately after a meal can interfere with iron absorption due to the tannin content in the tea.

<Source: Health Chosun>