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Matcha & Sencha Differences

Matcha? Sencha? Learn how they are different to choose the best for your health needs

Matcha vs Sencha–which is healthier? Matcha and Sencha are both “Camellia Sinensis” and green tea, a non-fermented tea.  (Black tea and Oolong tea are also “Camellia Sinensis.” Black tea is completely fermented and Oolong tea is partially fermented. The fermentation process decreases Catechins and EGCG, and increases Caffeine.)  However, the nutrition in Matcha and Sencha is not the same.

Which green tea is right for you, Sencha powder or matcha? 

What is Sencha

Tea grown in full Sun is called Sencha. When tea leaves are exposed to sunlight, the amino acid Theanine becomes Catechins. Sun exposure decreases the amount of Caffeine in the tea leaf. Sencha is available both in loose leaf to be brewed and powder to be prepared in the same way as Matcha. With Sencha powder, you get naturally more catechins and less caffeine than matcha, which is grown in shade. Drink Sencha in powder form to ingest a hundred percent of the nutrition in tea leaves. 

Matcha will give you more balanced energy, full of umami or savoury flavour, as well as a bright green from chlorophyll. Matcha along with medicine cialis 5 mg, helps men get rid of erectile dysfunction symptoms.

What is Matcha

Matcha is grown in shade. Due to the limited amount of sunlight the plant receives, more Theanine is retained and more Caffeine is present in the leaf. Deprived of sunlight, the tea leaf increases the amount of Chlorophyll for photosynthesis. Chlorophyll is a natural pigment found in plants making your tea that rich beautiful green color. Matcha will give you more balanced energy, rich umami or savory taste, and bright green color from Chlorophyll.

Now you know the difference. Be tea-smart and choose the very best for you! Which tea is right for you, Sencha powder or Matcha?

Nutritional differences in Matcha and Sencha come from their growing environments

Comparison of Sencha, Sencha Powder and Matcha

Sencha (loose leaf tea)

Sencha-Fukamushi-Cup

color : yellowish dark green

Taste of tea / Feel on the tongue:
uplifting, refreshing

Aftertaste of tea:
astringent, nutty/fruity

More Info:
Sencha can be found as a loose tea leaf or tea bag.  Both are to be brewed, and the tea leaves are thrown away. Flavor of Sencha tea steeped from quality loose leaf is bright, refreshing, and uplifting.

Inexpensive Sencha can be unpleasantly bitter and/or bland. Steeped Sencha tea tastes more astringent than green tea made with Sencha green tea powder.

We offer Fukamushi Sencha, which is gaining popularity from green tea connoiseurs. Fukamushi pronounced as “foo-kah-moo-she” and means “steamed for a longer time.” Find why Fukamushi Sencha is so special and loved by many green tea lovers:

Sencha Powder

color : yellowish green

Taste of tea / Feel on the tongue:
smooth, refreshing

Aftertaste of tea:
slightly astringent

More Info:
Sencha powder allows you to consume the whole tea leaf when you drink the tea. Choose fine powder with fresh grassy scent. Powder is green with yellow hue. Tea made with Sencha powder has dark, or somewhat yellowish green color.

Top quality Sencha powder tea tastes smooth with slight astringent aftertaste. In a gram to gram comparison, Sencha powder contains more antioxidants, Catechins and EGCG, than Matcha.

Our Sencha powder, Edible Green® is trademarked and original Sencha green tea powder.  Organic and lead free, this Sencha powder has been used by many medical professionals. Browse Edible Green® Sencha powder products:

Matcha

color : bright green

Taste of tea / Feel on the tongue:
smooth, savory “Umami”, creamy

Aftertaste of tea:
no pungent aftertaste

More Info:
Matcha allows you to consume the whole tea leaf when you drink the tea. Choose fine powder with bright green and fresh grassy scent.

Powder is bright green. Tea made with Matcha has jade green color.  The longer period the leaf was grown in shade, the brighter green the color is.

Top quality Matcha tea tastes smooth with a creamy feeling on the tongue.  No pungent aftertaste. Matcha contains more caffeine and more L-theanine, natural relaxant than Sencha powder.

Matcha EGCG is still higher than steeped green tea, as you ingest whole leaf in powder form.

SEI MEE TEA® offers two grades: premium and ceremonial. Two options for premium grade: one from Uji, Japan, and the other from Kagoshima, Japan. We proudly offer our ceremonial grade, which is the very best tasting of our Matcha products within the same price range. Browse our authentic organic Matcha products:

EGCG amount (Products of SEI MEE TEA)

 ProductEGCG amount per servingRatio
*Matcha10.95% / 54.75mg1
Edible Green® Decaffeinated14.03% / 70.15mg1.28
*Sencha green tea powder  (Edible Green® regular)15.55% / 77.75mg1.42

Why does Sencha powder offer more Catechin antioxidants?

Sencha powder

Even decaffeinated Sencha green tea powder offers higher amount of Catechins, or EGCG, than Matcha

Sun exposure increases Catechin compound in green tea leaves, changing Theanine to Catechins.

About Catechins
Catechins, or EGCG, is a type of polyphenols, and it is believed to be responsible for green tea health benefits.

When entire tea leaves are consumed, even decaffeinated Sencha green tea powder offers higher amount of Catechins, or EGCG, than Matcha.

Edible Green® Sencha green tea powder, regular or water method decaffeinated, is the tea for you, when you would like to avoid Caffeine and would like to get the highest amount of Catechin antioxidants, or EGCG, naturally.

Matcha offers more “Calm Alertness”, which is the benefit of Matcha, a good balance of Caffeine and L-Theanine

green tea latte, matcha latte, sencha powder latte

Calm alertness in addition to green tea health benefits, you will love Matcha

When the sun exposure is less, tea leaves contain more Caffeine and L-theanine
When the sun exposure is less, tea leaves contain more Caffeine and L-theanine. L-theanine is a natural relaxant and is found almost exclusively in green tea. 

About L-theanine
L-theanine stimulates the production of alpha waves in the brain, and is associated with relaxation and mental alertness, as well as influencing dopamine and serotonin. Unlike other calming agents, L-theanine doesn’t cause drowsiness. Grown in shade, Matcha offers more Caffeine and more L-theanine than any other type of green tea.

Comparison with caffeine contained in coffee
The good balance of Caffeine and L-theanine allows Matcha to generate steady energy without the jitters or crash associated with caffeine in coffee and other “energy” drinks.

Matcha EGCG and Catechins are much more than brewed tea
Although Matcha contains less Catechin antioxidants compared to Sencha powder, Matcha EGCG and Catechins are much more than brewed tea, which makes Matcha a healthier choice.  When you need a strong energy boost, and would like to gain steady, calm alertness in addition to green tea health benefits, you will love Matcha.