Matcha Vs Black Tea Comparison – Taste, Benefits & Caffeine Content
There’s nothing cozier than a mug of hot tea in the autumn and winter. However, tea is so much more than a soothing beverage. Tea contains a ton of nutrients and antioxidants that offer a long list of health benefits.
Matcha and black tea are at the top of the list of nutrient-dense teas. But while they come from the same plant, their different production methods produce quite a different taste and nutritional content.
This article will explore the differences between matcha and black tea, so you can decide which one is a better fit for you and your health goals.
Matcha Vs. Black Tea at a Glance
Short on time? Here are the main differences between these two teas:
Matcha Tea Advantages:
- High in caffeine which can boost your metabolism, mental alertness, mood, and exercise performance
- Provides long-lasting energy due to the special combination of L-Theanine and caffeine
- Contains higher levels of antioxidants than black tea
- Lowers blood pressure
- Clinically proven to fight cancer [1]
- Tastes sweeter than black tea
Matcha Tea Disadvantages:
- Higher price point than most teas
- Excessive caffeine consumption can cause digestive issues, anxiety, heart palpitations, and insomnia in some people
Black Tea Advantages:
- More affordable than matcha tea
- Contains theaflavins, an antioxidant that can support your body in breaking down fats in addition to protecting your heart
- Contains moderate levels of caffeine which can boost your metabolism, mental alertness, mood, and exercise performance
Black Tea Disadvantages:
- Excessive caffeine consumption can cause digestive issues, anxiety, heart palpitations, and insomnia in some people
- Can taste bitter if steeped too long
Winner: Don’t want to read the full article? The editor’s choice is matcha tea due to its higher antioxidant levels and the long-lasting energy it gives. However, both are great low-calorie, caffeinated options that can freshen and energize you. Both of these teas have different health benefits that could make either a better fit depending on your goals.
What’s the Difference Between Them?
Production Method
While both matcha and black tea come from the camellia sinensis plant, they are grown and prepared quite differently. This changes their nutritional components and flavor.
Black tea is fermented, unlike matcha tea. Once the black tea leaves are harvested, they are left out to try. Then they are rolled up and crushed, which ignites the oxidation. The leaves turn black, at which point they are fried or lightly dried in the oven to halt the fermentation.
Matcha tea, on the other hand, is grown in the shade. After harvesting, the leaves are steamed to maintain their bright green color. Then the leaves are cooled and dried, and the stalks and veins are removed. It is broken into smaller pieces and then slowly ground using granite grindstones. The result is a bright green powder with a soft, fine texture.
Verdict: Matcha tea’s production method is more labor-intensive and time-consuming, and may preserve more of certain nutrients. However, both production methods are excellent and result in nutritious, high-quality tea; the best one for you depends on your individual goals.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are bioactive compounds that fight oxidative stress in the body. This is important because oxidative stress leads to numerous non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, type 2 diabetes, different types of cancer, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Antioxidants are considered health superheroes because they fight free radicals in the body, which prevents cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease, and reduces overall inflammation.
Matcha tea has a high concentration of antioxidants, containing polyphenols and the antioxidant amino acid L-Theanine. This antioxidant has a calming effect on the body, and as a result, matcha tea can reduce anxiety. [2]
Black tea also contains antioxidants, namely catechins and theaflavins which are great for supporting heart health. Theaflavins also help your body break down fats and may support weight loss.
Verdict: So both matcha and black tea contain healthy antioxidants. However, matcha tea’s higher levels make it the winner here!
Caffeine Content
Matcha is relatively high in caffeine, containing about 70 mg of caffeine per 2 grams. Black tea has around 40 mg of caffeine per 2 grams.
However, the caffeine in matcha tea has a different effect than the caffeine in black tea due to the addition of L-Theanine. This combination slows down caffeine absorption and stretches it throughout your day. With matcha, instead of having a caffeine high and then an energy crash, you get prolonged, smooth energy throughout your day. L-Theanine supports calm and focus, helping you be more productive. [3]
Of course, caffeine can cause problems in some people like anxiety, insomnia, and digestive distress. To avoid problems from caffeine consumption, we suggest drinking caffeine before noon and in moderation.
Verdict: both are great, and it depends on your goals! If you want a quick energy boost, black tea is the way to go. If you want slow-burning energy that lasts all day, matcha tea is your best bet.
Brewing Matcha Tea and Black Tea
The brewing process of matcha tea and black tea differ as well.
Similar to making instant coffee, matcha tea is quite easy to make. Once your matcha powder is in your mug, pour a small amount of hot water on top and whisk vigorously until it’s fully combined and a pleasant foam forms. It’s best to use a bamboo whisk rather than metal because it imparts no flavor and gives you more control over foam.
Then, you can add the remainder of your hot water (or steamed milk of your choice). The trick is to use water at around 80°C/176°C, rather than boiling water, so you don’t burn the matcha and make it bitter.
Black tea, on the other hand, is steeped in hot water like most other teas. It’s best to use filtered water boiled to 212°F. If you are using loose leaf tea, use one teaspoon for every 250 ml or eight ounces of water. Let it steep for between 4 to 5 minutes. Make sure you don’t brew it too long, or the tea will become bitter and unpleasant. To learn more about brewing black, click here.
Buying Matcha Tea and Black Tea
When purchasing matcha tea, you want to ensure it is bright green and fresh. We love the Jade Leaf Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder because it’s certified organic, is grown in quality conditions in Japan, comes with a product guarantee, and is highly reviewed on Amazon.
MAJU’s Organic Moringa Powder is also great because of its pure ingredients and top-notch production methods. Plus, both of these matcha teas are Climate Pledge friendly.
For black tea, PG Tips is a classic favorite. We also love the Organic Positively Tea Company’s Assam TGFOP Black Tea as a loose-leaf, high-quality tea.
Conclusion
Ultimately, while our favorite is matcha tea, you can’t go wrong with either matcha tea or black tea. Both offer caffeine and healthy antioxidants. On one hand, matcha tea is typically more expensive than black tea.
However, the caffeine in matcha is less likely to give you anxiety and a caffeine crash. So the next time you brew up a cozy mug of matcha or black tea, you can sip easy knowing you’ve made a great choice for your health!
Written by Stephanie Moore
Stephanie is a professional writer who is a ‘SIBO survivor’ herself with broad experience writing in the health field. She is a regular writer for SIBO Survivor and calls Berlin, Germany home.
