9 Green Tea Varieties That Compete with Matcha!

Several green tea varieties in the market are often compared to or compete with the Matcha variety of green tea in terms of popularity, health benefits, and unique characteristics. If you want to know why a popular Matcha green tea variety, just read 7 things to know about Matcha Green Tea

10 Best Green Tea Varieties in the World

Here are nine notable green tea varieties competing with Matcha green tea.

1. Sencha

Sencha is the most popular and widely consumed green tea in Japan. Unlike matcha, sencha is made from whole tea leaves that are steamed, rolled, and dried. It offers a more grassy and slightly astringent flavor than Matcha’s smooth and creamy taste.

2. Gyokuro

Known for its high quality, Gyokuro is shaded for a few weeks before harvesting, similar to matcha. This process increases chlorophyll and L-Theanine levels, giving it a rich umami flavor. Gyokuro is more expensive than most other green teas and offers a flavor profile somewhat closer to matcha but is steeped as whole leaves.

3. Dragon Well (Longjing)

A famous Chinese green tea, Longjing is known for its high quality, delicate flavor, and flat, pan-roasted tea leaves. It has a mellow, slightly sweet taste, and it’s less grassy than Japanese green teas.

4. Biluochun

Also from China, Biluochun is renowned for its delicate, spirally shaped leaves and a light, fruity, and floral taste. It’s another premium green tea, appreciated for its complexity and subtlety.

5. Hojicha

This Japanese green tea is roasted over charcoal, unlike matcha, which is ground into a powder. Hojicha has a reddish-brown colour and a toasty, slightly caramel-like flavour. It’s lower in caffeine compared to matcha and other green teas.

7. Genmaicha

A blend of green tea and roasted brown rice, Genmaicha has a unique, nutty flavour and a refreshing finish.

8. Mao Feng 

This green tea is a high-grade green tea that is a bit sweet with a floral aroma. This type of tea plant is characterized by its slender, wiry leaves.

9. Pi Lo Chun 

This variety of tea is also known as “Green Snail Spring,” it’s known for its spiral-shaped leaves, gentle aroma, and fruity, floral taste.

10. Tamaryokucha 

A curled, pan-fired green tea offering a tangy, slightly citrusy with a hint of smokiness.

Each of these teas has its unique preparation methods, flavor profiles, and cultural significance. While they may not be as globally recognized as matcha for their versatility in culinary uses, they hold significant places in the tea markets of their respective regions and among tea enthusiasts worldwide. The choice between these teas often comes down to personal flavor preference, desired health benefits, and the experience of preparing and enjoying the tea.