Key Facts
- Matcha is powdered green tea that is drunk whole.
- Contains more caffeine and L-theanine than classic green tea.
- Effect: longer lasting, more focused, less jittery
- Taste: more intense, creamier, more umami
- Ideal for: Focus, morning rituals, mental performance
What is matcha – and how does it differ from green tea?
Matcha is ground green tea – traditionally from Japan. Instead of steeping and then discarding the leaves, with matcha you drink the whole leaf. This makes it more intense in effect and taste.
Green tea, on the other hand (e.g., Sencha, Lung Ching), is steeped and then strained. You only drink the extract from the leaves.
In short:
- Green tea: infusion, clear taste, easy to start with
- Matcha: Whole leaf powder, creamy & intense, more effective
Comparison: Matcha vs. Green Tea
| criterion | Matcha | Classic green tea |
|---|---|---|
| processing | The leaf is dried and ground. | The leaves are steamed and dried. |
| Consumption style | Foamed powder | infusion |
| caffeine | 30–40 mg/cup (high) | 15–25 mg/cup (medium) |
| Effect | Awake, clear, focused | Gently invigorating, light |
| The taste | Umami, creamy, slightly bitter | Fresh, grassy, partly nutty |
| preparation | With chasen (bamboo broom) | Pay attention to steeping time and water temperature. |
Effect: Caffeine & L-theanine in combination
The crucial difference lies not only in the amount of caffeine, but in the interaction with L-theanine – an amino acid that has a calming effect and balances the effect of the caffeine.
Matcha therefore has the following effects:
- clearer
- prolonged (up to 6 hours)
- without nervousness or caffeine crash
Green tea: gentler, shorter, ideal for light focus and breaks.
Taste: Umami meets creaminess
Matcha tea has a higher chlorophyll and amino acid content due to the shading of the tea plants. This gives it its typical umami flavor, slightly sweet and rich.
Green teas like Sencha or Silver Pearl are fresher, grassier, sometimes slightly nutty – and less creamy in the mouthfeel.
Which variety suits you best?
Matcha (e.g., Ujicha):
- If you are seeking mental clarity
- For morning rituals or rituals before meetings
- As a coffee alternative
Green tea (e.g. Moonlit Sencha, Lung Ching):
- If you prefer a milder effect
- Ideal for beginners & tea breaks
- For mindful afternoons or meditative routines
