Matcha and green tea are made from the same leaves but are grown and processed differently. Learn about their health benefits ...

Reviewed by Dietitian Brierley Horton, M.S., RD. Matcha, a finely ground powder made from specially cultivated green tea leaves called tencha, has deep roots in both Japanese and Chinese cultures.

Matcha powder similarly has more catechins than green tea. They are strong antioxidants, which have been shown to have protective effects against bacteria, viruses, allergies, inflammation and cancer.

Wang Y, Yu Y, Ding L, Xu P, Zhou J. Matcha green tea targets the gut-liver axis to alleviate obesity and metabolic disorders induced by a high-fat diet. Front Nutr. 2022 Aug 1; ...

Matcha mavens tout it as a healthier alternative to coffee. Some studies suggest that green tea’s antioxidants can help stave off cardiovascular disease, improve gut health and speed up metabolism.