What Is Matcha Made Of? From Leaf to Cup | Zenergy Tea
A Simple Question With a Deep Story
People often ask: what is matcha made of? Some think it is just ground green tea. Others wonder if sugar or flavor is added. The real answer is much simpler. Matcha comes only from tea leaves, but leaves grown and treated in a very special way.
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What Is Matcha Made Of?
Matcha is made from shade-grown green tea called tencha. Farmers cover the plants for about three weeks before harvest. This gives the leaves more chlorophyll and amino acids. After picking, the leaves are steamed, dried, and cleaned of stems. What remains is flat, soft leaf matter ready for grinding.
Stone mills then turn tencha into fine powder. So when you ask, what is matcha made of, the reply is clear: it is made of nothing but tender, shaded tea leaves, prepared with care.
The Plant Behind Matcha
Like other teas, matcha comes from Camellia sinensis. But only certain cultivars work well for shading. The most common is Yabukita, famous in Shizuoka for its fresh, balanced taste.
If you want to dive deeper into this cultivar, read our blog: The Role of Yabukita in Shizuoka’s Matcha Production.
Other cultivars, like Okumidori or Samidori, bring softer or sweeter flavors. This is why no two matcha bowls taste exactly the same.
How Is Matcha Processed?
The steps are simple but exact:
Shade – tea bushes are covered 20–30 days before harvest.
Harvest – only young spring leaves are picked.
Steam – leaves are quickly steamed to stop oxidation.
Dry – leaves are laid flat and dried into tencha.
Grind – stone mills crush tencha into powder, only a little at a time.
This slow grinding protects the flavor and keeps the powder cool. The result is a fine, silky matcha that foams when whisked.
Matcha Powder vs Green Tea Powder
Many people ask, is matcha just green tea powder? The answer is no.
| Feature | Matcha Powder | Green Tea Powder |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf type | Shade-grown tencha | Any green tea leaf |
| Processing | Steamed, dried, stone-milled | Often pan-fired |
| Texture | Very fine, silky | More coarse |
| Taste | Umami, smooth, sweet | More bitter |
| Use | Tea ceremony, lattes | Cooking, blends |
The difference comes from both farming and grinding. Matcha is not just ground tea. It is a specific craft.
What Ingredients Are in Matcha?
Pure matcha has no extras. It is 100% tea leaves. But those leaves carry natural compounds:
L-theanine for calm focus
Caffeine for energy
Chlorophyll for bright color
Catechins for antioxidants
So if you ask is matcha natural, the answer is yes. It is simply shaded leaves, steamed and ground.
Why Matcha Feels Different
Drinking matcha feels different because you take in the whole leaf, not just an infusion. The effect is calm but alert. The taste is green yet smooth, with a hint of sweetness.
This is why matcha became part of Japanese tea ritual. Today, you can enjoy it in a simple bowl or as a modern latte. If you want to try for yourself, explore our Premium Matcha Powder Collection.
Summary
So, what is matcha made of? It is made from shaded green tea leaves, steamed, dried, and stone-milled into fine powder. Unlike other green tea powders, matcha is natural, smooth, and full of nutrients.
To explore real matcha, see our Premium Matcha Powder for Daily Rituals. To learn more about cultivars, check our blog on Yabukita and Shizuoka’s Matcha Production.
Matcha is simple, yet rich with history and meaning. A single leaf, turned into powder, offering calm focus in every sip.
Is matcha just ground green tea?
No. Matcha is made from shaded tea leaves called tencha, which are steamed and stone-milled. Regular green tea powder often uses any leaf, with less care in growing and grinding.
What is matcha made of besides tea leaves?
Nothing else. Pure matcha is only made of shaded tea leaves. No sugar, milk powder, or additives are included.
What plant is matcha made from?
Matcha comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, the same plant used for all true tea. The difference lies in how it is grown, shaded, and processed.
What ingredients are in matcha powder?
Matcha contains natural compounds found in the tea leaf itself, such as caffeine, L-theanine, chlorophyll, and antioxidants. There are no added ingredients.
How is matcha processed?
The leaves are shaded before harvest, steamed, dried into tencha, and then stone-milled into fine powder. This slow process protects flavor and nutrients.
Does matcha have additives or sugar?
No. Traditional matcha has nothing added. Any sweet or flavored matcha powder on the market is a mix, not pure matcha.
Is matcha natural or processed?
It is natural, but carefully processed. Shading, steaming, and stone-grinding are all part of traditional preparation, not chemical processing.
Is matcha vegan and gluten free?
Yes. Pure matcha is simply tea leaves. It is naturally vegan, gluten free, and dairy free.
What kind of tea is used for matcha?
Matcha is made from cultivars of Camellia sinensis, such as Yabukita, Okumidori, or Samidori. Each has a unique taste and balance.
Aileen Gong is a food creator, sommelier, and graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
She shares quiet, beautiful recipes that celebrate simple rituals and mindful flavors.
She grows blueberries in pots, hand-whisks her matcha, and believes every drink can be a small moment of peace.
