Matcha vs Sencha : What is the Difference?

Matcha and sencha are beloved both in Japan and around the world as iconic Japanese teas.

Though both teas come from the same tea plant, did you know they differ significantly in flavor, preparation, and even how they’re cultivated?

For instance, matcha stands out for its vibrant green color and smooth umami flavor, enjoyed in various settings such as traditional tea ceremonies and in desserts. On the other hand, sencha has a more astringent, refreshing flavor and is commonly served in households and alongside meals.

This article will explore the cultivation, processing, ingredients, and flavors of matcha and sencha in detail, delving into the unique appeal of each.

Differences in Cultivation Methods

Matcha is grown using a technique called “shading cultivation,” where the tea plants are shielded from sunlight for at least 20 days before harvest.

Blocking sunlight increases chlorophyll levels, giving the tea leaves a bright green color and creating a unique aroma known as “covered fragrance,” along with a richer umami taste.

In contrast, sencha is grown through “open-field cultivation,” where the tea plants receive ample sunlight.

This exposure gives sencha leaves a slightly yellowish-green color and results in a refreshing, mildly astringent flavor with a clean aftertaste.

Differences in Processing Methods

After harvesting, matcha tea leaves are steamed immediately to prevent oxidation, then dried while keeping their shape. These dried leaves, called tencha, are stripped of leaf veins, stems, and impurities to produce refined tencha (shiage-tencha), which consists only of soft leaf matter. After being finely cut, the refined tencha is ground into powder, creating matcha.

Matcha allows for the complete intake of the tea’s nutritional components because whole matcha is ground into a fine powder.

Sencha, meanwhile, undergoes a kneading process after steaming and then drying. This kneading step is a key difference from matcha production. This process shapes sencha leaves into thin needle-like forms, allowing for gradual infusion and slow release of tea flavors when brewed.

https://matchadirect.kyoto/blogs/matcha-101/what-is-matcha-made-of

Differences in Flavor and Taste

The shading method used for matcha production helps retain theanine, an amino acid that enhances the tea’s umami flavor. This theanine gives matcha its signature depth of flavor. If tea leaves are exposed to sunlight, theanine converts into catechins, which is why matcha contains a high amount of theanine and relatively less catechin.

High-quality matcha has a strong mellow sweetness and umami taste, with a creamy, smooth texture that fills the mouth, making it ideal for savoring. Matcha is also appreciated as a part of the Japanese tea ceremony, making it both a sensory and cultural experience.

In contrast, sencha’s catechins provide moderate astringency, and it has a light, refreshing aftertaste. Sencha’s flavor varies with brewing temperature, offering a sweeter, umami-rich taste when brewed at low temperatures and a more pronounced bitterness at higher temperatures.

Sencha can thus offer a range of flavors depending on brewing temperature or time, allowing customization to individual tastes.

Differences in Nutritional Components

Since matcha and sencha come from the same tea plant, they share many basic components, with catechin and caffeine being particularly notable.

Catechins are known for their bitterness and astringency but are also valued for their antioxidant properties, which contribute to health benefits. Since catechins increase with sunlight exposure, sencha contains a higher catechin level at the leaf stage. However, the actual catechin intake per serving is lower than the amount contained in the leaves, because sencha is steeped and the leaves are discarded after brewing.

In matcha, all the catechins are ingested since the entire powdered leaf is consumed. Additionally, matcha contains a high level of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a catechin known for its potent antioxidant effects.

Caffeine, which enhances refreshment and concentration, acts differently in matcha and sencha, showing distinctive characteristics.

Caffeine in matcha is also moderated by the presence of theanine, which tempers the stimulating effects of caffeine and allows for a gentler, longer-lasting alertness.

Sencha, with its lower theanine content, provides a more direct caffeine boost than matcha, making it a preferable choice for immediate refreshment.

By understanding these component differences, you can enjoy each tea’s flavor profile more effectively.

Price Differences

There is a significant price difference between matcha and sencha.

Matcha requires a more time-intensive and labor-intensive production process: the tea leaves are grown under shade to block sunlight, selected after drying, and then ground. Because of these steps, matcha tends to be more expensive than sencha. Additionally, as matcha quality improves, it offers a richer taste and a deeper umami flavor, leading to higher prices for premium-grade matcha.

On the other hand, sencha has a simpler production process, making it more affordable. This accessibility means that sencha is widely enjoyed in daily life in Japan at a price point that makes it easy to drink regularly.

https://matchadirect.kyoto/blogs/matcha-101/why-is-matcha-so-expensive

Differences in Usage

Matcha is used not only for drinking but also in cooking and desserts. Matcha lattes, in particular, are a popular drink worldwide. Matcha sweets, which balance bitterness with sweetness, are also widely enjoyed. Additionally, in today’s health-conscious society, matcha’s nutritional richness has made it popular in smoothies and drinks, appealing to people across all generations.

Sencha, by contrast, is often enjoyed daily at home or in offices and is typically paired with meals. The refreshing taste of sencha provides a pleasant finish after meals, and in many Japanese households, brewing sencha in a teapot is a long-standing habit. Sencha tea bags are also widely available, making them easy to enjoy at an affordable price.

Experience High-Quality Matcha with MATCHA DIRECT

While matcha and sencha differ significantly in flavor and enjoyment due to their distinct cultivation and processing methods, both have a unique charm characteristic of Japanese tea.

For instance, when you want to relax, a mellow and rich matcha is ideal; when you want a refreshing finish, sencha is a great choice. By selecting your tea according to the occasion, you can fully appreciate the diverse flavors of Japanese tea.

MATCHA DIRECT, which specializes in authentic matcha from Kyoto, Japan, offers carefully crafted, high-quality matcha at an affordable price. Enjoy the deep, complex taste of matcha from the comfort of your home.

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