Brewed green tea leaves have that distinctive clean and earthy flavor and deliver antioxidants along with several vitamins and minerals. Matcha, on the other hand, is the powdered version of green tea leaves, which means it delivers a higher concentration of antioxidants and vital nutrients. Discover six key differences between matcha vs. green tea! Plus, learn how to prepare some delightful treats and drinks at home with each.
Matcha vs. Green Tea: 6 Key Differences
| Matcha | Green Tea | |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor | Rich and complex | Clean and earthy |
| Preparation | Matcha powder is mixed with hot water | Steeping tea leaves in hot water |
| Processing | Ground leaves result in a fine powder | Leaves are left intact for steeping |
| Texture | Creamy | Grassy |
| Caffeine | 38 to 176 milligrams per cup | 30 to 50 milligrams per cup |
| Nutritional Information | 3 calories per gram, 0.3 grams of protein per gram | 2 calories per 100 milliliters, 0.2 grams of protein per 100 ml |
Matcha vs. Green Tea: Flavor
The flavor of matcha is a more concentrated version of green tea, so you can expect that it’s going to be richer. Green tea incorporates leaves instead of concentrated powder, which makes for a cleaner, grassier finish.
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Matcha vs. Green Tea: Preparation
To prepare for serving, matcha powder is mixed with hot water until the mixture is smooth. Traditionally, it’s served alone despite its bitter taste. However, you can add milk to soften the flavor. Green tea may be served with tea bags that you remove before enjoying.
Matcha vs. Green Tea: Processing
With green tea, you steep whole or crushed leaves in a tea bag. They are not pulverized the way matcha is. With matcha, the leaves are ground down until they become a fine powder.
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Matcha vs. Green Tea: Texture
Once in a beverage, the texture of matcha can be described as creamy. With green tea, it’s a watery, grassy finish.
Matcha vs. Green Tea: Caffeine
Both matcha and green tea contain caffeine though matcha often has more. For example, matcha may contain as much as 176 milligrams of caffeine per cup whereas green tea may contain up to 50 milligrams per cup.
Matcha vs. Green Tea: Nutritional Information
With matcha, the serving size is typically one teaspoon or two grams of fine powder. With green tea, it’s a single tea bag in one cup of hot water. Matcha contains three calories per gram while green tea contains two calories per 100 milliliters (ml), making both great drink choices for those who are calorie-conscious. Both are low in carbs, with matcha coming in at 0.3 grams per gram and green tea having 0.2 grams per 100 ml.
Matcha contains 0.3 grams of protein per gram and green tea contains 0.2 grams of protein per 100 ml. Matcha has 0.05 grams of fat per gram while green tea doesn’t have any fat. Matcha also has 0.015 grams of saturated fat per gram while green tea remains at zero. Neither drink contains cholesterol. Matcha contains 0.17 milligrams of iron per gram and green tea contains 0.02 mg per 100 ml.
Matcha Recipes
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Matcha offers versatility, which means you can enjoy it in cookies as much as you can in beverages. There are plenty of recipes to try but below are two recipes you’re bound to love and that are relatively easy to prepare at home.
Matcha Cookies
To make these tasty, beautifully green, and moist cookies, you need the following ingredients:
- All purpose-flour (2 cups)
- Baking powder (2 teaspoons)
- Matcha tea powder (2 tablespoons)
- Pure vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon)
- Pure almond extract (1/4 teaspoon)
- Sugar, granulated (3/4 cup)
- Sugar, confectioner’s (1/4 cup)
- Large eggs (2)
- Canola oil (2/3 cup)
- Cardamom, ground (1/8 teaspoon)
Start by whisking the all-purpose flour, cardamom, salt, and baking powder. A medium-sized bowl works just fine for these initial ingredients, but you’ll need two other bowls to combine the other ingredients. Take bowl number two and whisk the eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and oil together.
In bowl number three, stir the matcha tea powder into two tablespoons of water. Once combined, pour into bowl number two with the other wet ingredients. Combine, then pour this mixture into the medium bowl with your dry ingredients. Combine well to form the green-tinted dough.
Scoop your dough balls (about two tablespoons each) and place them onto a baking sheet (don’t forget your parchment paper!). Put them into your refrigerator for 10 minutes while you preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Then, pop them into the oven and let them bake for 10 minutes. Once ready to serve, dust the confectioner’s sugar over the top along with a bit of your matcha powder. Enjoy!
Matcha Latte (With Rose!)
This delectable latte is easy to make and offers an unforgettable flavor experience you’ll want to keep revisiting. All you need are the following ingredients:
- Matcha powder (2 teaspoons)
- Hot water (1 tablespoon)
- Milk of choice (4 ounces)
- Honey (1 teaspoon)
- Dried, edible rose buds (for added flavor and garnish)
Pour your matcha powder into a mug and add your hot water. Mix it until it’s smooth. Then, pour in the milk of your choice and whisk until froth emerges. Add the honey and top with the edible rose buds. The result isn’t just tantalizing to your taste buds but also takes you on a sweet and subtle aromatic ride.
Green Tea Recipes
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Green tea is a simpler beverage, but you can enjoy a range of varieties, some that include lemon and honey and others that are served iced with mint. The more familiar you are with green tea varieties, the easier it is to pick out your favorite subtle flavors.
Hot Green Tea
You can spruce your typical hot green tea by adding a few extras. Try combining the following ingredients:
- Green tea bags (4)
- Boiling water (4 cups)
- Gingerroot (1/2 teaspoon)
- Cardamom, crushed (4 pods)
- Honey (2 tablespoons)
- Lemon zest (1/2 teaspoon)
Combine the green tea bags, gingerroot, lemon zest, and cardamom pods in a heat-safe bowl and add the boiling water. Place a cover on the bowl and let your tea steep for about five minutes. Strain your hot tea before serving and then stir the honey in for a perfectly spiced and sweet flavor experience.
Iced Green Tea
For those who prefer a cool beverage that has a sweet finish, try iced green tea with mint leaves and honey. You can also add a bit of lemon! You’ll need the following ingredients:
- Green tea bags (4)
- Water (6 cups)
- Ice (2 cups)
- Fresh mint (4 sprigs)
- Honey (1/4 cup)
- Lemon slices (once served)
To make this iced green tea, first bring four cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Once it reaches a boil, set it aside and add the green tea bags along with two springs of fresh mint. Cover it and let it steep for about 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes have passed, remove the tea bags and sprigs and stir in your honey. Then transfer to a pitcher, adding the ice along with two cups of cold water to keep the ice from melting too quickly. When you serve, add ice to the glass and place a lemon slice inside the glass for extra flavor.