While you’re likely familiar with green tea, you might not know as much about matcha, which is a variety growing in popularity. Although both teas are derived from the Camellia sinensis plant and enjoyed all over the world, they differ in a few ways. 

Preparation

The two teas are prepared differently. You can make green tea just by steeping the leaves in hot water. Matcha, on the other hand, requires grinding the tea leaves into a fine powder and mixing it with hot water.

Caffeine Content

Because matcha is made from whole tea leaves, it contains much more caffeine. A standard cup of matcha features about 280 mg of caffeine, while regular green tea contains about 35 mg. Due to its high caffeine content, most people only drink 2 to 4 ounces of matcha rather than a full cup. 

Health Benefits 

Green tea is frequently praised as one of the healthiest beverages in the world due to its abundance of antioxidants and nutrients. For example, it can enhance brain function and physical performance, improve dental health by killing oral bacteria, and reduce your risk of illnesses like heart disease, certain cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.

Since matcha is made of whole tea leaves, it has three times more antioxidants, so it provides the same health benefits as green tea but boosted.

Flavor

Although both teas tend to have a grassy, bitter taste, many people find matcha tea smoother because it’s powdered. It’s also often served with a sweetener and milk.

If you’re craving some delicious, health-boosting matcha or green tea, head to Wave Tea in Honolulu, HI. With more than 10 years of industry experience, this local boba tea shop uses all-natural ingredients and real sugars to prepare a wide variety of mouthwatering beverages, including fruit and cheese teas. Explore their full menu online, and call (808) 591-8668 to ask about their current specials.