Why Is Matcha So Trendy? Exploring the Types of Green Tea

In recent years, green tea has experienced a renaissance across Europe. While once reserved for health food stores or niche cafes, today it’s become a symbol of wellness, mindfulness, and elevated living. Leading this transformation is matcha—a vibrant green tea powder that has captivated everyone from tea connoisseurs to wellness influencers.

But matcha is just one expression of green tea’s incredible diversity. From grassy sencha to roasted hōjicha, each variety offers its own story, flavor, and benefit. In this article, we’ll explore why matcha is the star of the green tea movement, and how it compares to other beloved types like gyokuro, bancha, and hōjicha. By the end, you’ll have a clear sense of which green tea is right for your lifestyle, taste, and wellness goals.

The Rise of Matcha and the Green Tea Renaissance

Matcha’s popularity in Europe and beyond can be traced to a blend of tradition and trend. On one hand, it carries centuries of cultural heritage from Japanese tea ceremonies. On the other, it has found a new identity in modern wellness routines—shared over sleek café counters, glowing on social media feeds, or blended into frothy oat milk lattes.

Why now? As more people seek moments of calm, natural energy, and mindful rituals in their day, matcha offers something more than just a caffeine fix. It’s a sensory experience, a source of antioxidants, and a daily practice that feels both nourishing and refined.

At the same time, this green tea revival has opened up curiosity for other Japanese teas. From the everyday simplicity of bancha to the delicate luxury of gyokuro, tea drinkers are embracing the beauty of variety.

What Makes Matcha the Trendiest Green Tea?

Matcha stands out—visually, nutritionally, and experientially.

First, there’s its striking color. The rich emerald hue of ceremonial-grade matcha isn’t just for show—it’s a signal of quality. This color comes from how the tea is grown. A few weeks before harvest, the tea plants are shaded from direct sunlight. This boosts chlorophyll levels and L-theanine, an amino acid known for promoting calm focus.

Then, there’s how it’s made. Unlike most teas, which are steeped and discarded, matcha is a fine powder made by stone-grinding whole tea leaves. When you drink matcha, you consume the entire leaf, unlocking its full nutrient potential.

This includes:

• A higher concentration of antioxidants (especially EGCG, a powerful catechin)
• A balanced dose of caffeine for alertness
• L-theanine for mental clarity and relaxation

Finally, there’s its versatility. Matcha isn’t limited to a traditional bowl. It’s become a canvas for creativity—used in lattes, smoothies, desserts, and even savory dishes. It seamlessly blends indulgence with nourishment, ancient ritual with modern taste.

Understanding the Different Types of Green Tea

Beyond matcha, there’s a wide world of green tea, especially within Japanese traditions. Here’s a look at the most popular varieties:

Matcha

• Processing: Shade-grown leaves (tencha) are steamed, dried, and stone-ground into a fine powder.
• Form: Powdered (whisked, not steeped)
• Known for: Full-leaf nutrition, rich umami flavor, vibrant color.

Sencha

• Processing: Grown in full sunlight, then steamed to stop oxidation and rolled into needle-like leaves.
• Form: Loose-leaf (steeped)
• Known for: Everyday green tea in Japan; fresh, grassy flavor and moderate caffeine.

Gyokuro

• Processing: Like matcha, gyokuro is shade-grown for a few weeks, enhancing its L-theanine and chlorophyll.
• Form: Loose-leaf (steeped)
• Known for: Delicate, sweet flavor with deep umami. Considered a luxury tea.

Bancha

• Processing: Made from the same plant as sencha, but harvested later in the season from more mature leaves.
• Form: Loose-leaf (steeped)
• Known for: Mild, earthy flavor with lower caffeine. A family-friendly, daily tea.

Hōjicha

• Processing: Made by roasting bancha or sencha leaves, which lowers caffeine and adds a toasty flavor.
• Form: Loose-leaf or powdered
• Known for: Gentle, warming taste. Ideal for evenings or those sensitive to caffeine.

Taste Profiles: Comparing Flavors of Green Teas

Each type of green tea has its own unique taste, shaped by how it’s grown, processed, and brewed. Here's a side-by-side comparison:

• Matcha: Rich and creamy, with deep umami and a hint of natural bitterness. The mouthfeel is full-bodied and velvety.
• Sencha: Bright, grassy, and slightly astringent. Clean and refreshing, especially when brewed properly.
• Gyokuro: Elegant, sweet, and mellow with layers of umami. Best enjoyed slowly, like a fine wine.
• Bancha: Earthy and robust with a soft body and minimal bitterness. Ideal with food or as an everyday drink.
• Hōjicha: Toasty, nutty, and smooth, often with caramel-like undertones. Its low bitterness and low caffeine make it perfect for evenings.

Antioxidant Levels and Health Benefits

All green teas contain antioxidants, but not in equal amounts. The biggest influencer? How much of the leaf you consume.

Because matcha is consumed as a whole-leaf powder, it delivers the most concentrated dose of antioxidants—especially EGCG, known for its anti-inflammatory, heart-protective, and metabolism-supporting properties.

Gyokuro and sencha also provide significant antioxidant benefits, especially when brewed carefully at the right temperature. Bancha and hōjicha have lower catechin content (because of leaf maturity and roasting), but they still support digestion, hydration, and daily wellness.

Across the board, green teas have been linked to:

• Improved metabolism and fat oxidation
• Cardiovascular support
• Stress reduction (especially those high in L-theanine)
• Cellular protection from free radicals

Brewing Techniques: How Preparation Affects Flavor and Benefits

How you brew your green tea makes a major difference—not just in taste, but in how many nutrients are released. Here’s a quick guide:

Matcha

• How to brew: Sift 1–2 grams (1 tsp) into a bowl. Add 60 ml hot water (about 80°C). Whisk vigorously in a zigzag motion until frothy. Add more water or milk to taste.
• Pro tip: Always use water below boiling to preserve flavor and avoid bitterness.

Sencha

• How to brew: Steep 2–3 grams in 200 ml water at 70–80°C for 1–2 minutes.
• Pro tip: Too-hot water can burn the leaves and create bitterness.

Gyokuro

• How to brew: Use cooler water (50–60°C) and steep for 2–3 minutes to draw out the sweet, umami notes.
• Pro tip: Use more leaf and less water for a thicker, richer brew.

Bancha

• How to brew: Steep at 80–90°C for 1–2 minutes.
• Pro tip: Bancha is forgiving. It's great for newcomers or those brewing on the go.

Hōjicha

• How to brew: Steep in 90–95°C water for 30–60 seconds.
• Pro tip: The roasted flavor intensifies with hotter water, but won't turn bitter.

Proper brewing enhances not only taste but also the availability of beneficial compounds like L-theanine and catechins.

Green Tea and Weight Loss: Which Tea Supports Slimming?

Many turn to green tea for its role in weight management, and for good reason. Green teas can increase energy expenditure, stimulate fat burning, and support blood sugar balance—all without artificial ingredients.

Here's how they compare:

• Matcha: The best for metabolism support. Thanks to its high EGCG and caffeine content, it can boost fat oxidation and thermogenesis. Many people find it an ideal pre-workout or mid-morning pick-me-up.
• Sencha: A good everyday option. Moderate catechins and gentle caffeine levels make it supportive of digestion and sustainable energy.
• Gyokuro: Offers slimming benefits, too, with a smoother flavor that encourages regular drinking.
• Bancha & Hōjicha: Lower in catechins, but helpful for hydration and digestion. They complement a slimming routine, especially in the evening.

Remember, no tea is a magic solution. But regular green tea consumption, when paired with balanced eating and movement, can enhance your wellness and weight goals naturally.

Choosing the Right Green Tea for Your Lifestyle

The beauty of green tea lies in its diversity. You don’t have to choose just one—you can explore, experiment, and let your mood or moment guide you.

Here’s a quick guide to finding your match:

• Go for Matcha if: You want focus, energy, antioxidants, and a rich, ritualistic experience.
• Go for Sencha if: You’re after a fresh, classic green tea that works any time of day.
• Go for Gyokuro if: You enjoy smooth, sweet teas and special moments.
• Go for Bancha if: You want a mellow, everyday brew that supports digestion.
• Go for Hōjicha if: You’re looking for a cozy, caffeine-light tea that calms and comforts.

At Ritua Tea, we believe tea is more than a drink—it’s a moment of transformation. A time to connect with yourself, to slow down, and to nourish your body with intention.

Explore our curated collection of organic green teas, hand-selected for purity, flavor, and experience. Each blend is crafted to elevate your daily ritual—turning any moment into a mindful passage to something more beautiful.

Visit rituatea.com and find your next cup of calm.