These days, it seems like matcha is everywhere. You can find it in lattes, ice cream, cookies, and even smoothies. But what exactly is matcha, and what makes it so popular?
What Is Blue Matcha Powder?
Despite the misconception that blue matcha is just blue-tinted green matcha, it's actually a unique and rare tea in its own right.
So, what is blue matcha? (AKA "Blue Ninja")
Ground blue butterfly pea flowers from the Clitoria ternatea plant are used to make blue matcha powder.
The powder is mainly gaining in popularity because it is a natural way to dye foods and drinks a beautiful eye-catching blue color. It's also believed to have some health benefits I'll mention in just a bit.
What Is Green Matcha?
Green matcha is a type of green tea that is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Unlike other types of tea, which are brewed using only the leaves, traditional matcha is actually a powder that is made by grinding up the entire leaf.
This results in a drink that is packed with antioxidants and nutrients... even more than green tea made by steeping the tea leaves in water. In addition, matcha has a unique flavor that is both earthy and sweet. It's no wonder that this delicious and healthful drink has become so popular in recent years.
What Does Blue Matcha Taste Like?
Unlike green matcha, blue butterfly pea powder has a more neutral, sweet, and delicate flavor with floral notes. It has a far less earthy and vegetal taste than regular green matcha.
What Does Green Matcha Powder Taste Like?
Green matcha has a complex profile with grassy notes and a natural sweetness. There's also a touch of bitterness that's balanced out with a rich, savory finish that makes it kind of hard to resist.
Does Blue Matcha Contain Caffeine?
Blue matcha powder does NOT contain any caffeine, as the ground blue butterfly pea flowers it is made with come from an herbal plant called the Clitoria ternatea. Herbal teas as a whole do not have caffeine naturally occurring in them.
Does Green Matcha Contain Caffeine?
Green matcha DOES contain caffeine, as it is made from ground green tea leaves from the tea plant, Camellia Sinensis.
What Health Benefits Does Butterfly Pea Flower Powder (Blue Matcha) Have To Offer?
Blue matcha powder has become a popular health trend in recent years, and not just for its amazingly vibrant blue hue.
The benefits of blue matcha stem from its rich concentration of antioxidants like proanthocyanidin and anthocyanin, compounds that have been linked to a number of health benefits, including reduced inflammation, anti-aging effects, and cancer-fighting properties.
And while blue matcha makes for an herbal tea lacking in any caffeine, a more soothing experience than that which matcha green tea provides is inevitable, but it has also been shown to have nervous system calming properties... whilst enhancing cognitive function!
What Health Benefits Does Traditional Green Matcha Have To Offer?
When it comes to blue and green matcha, the health benefits of green matcha are much more studied and well-known. Green tea in itself is thought of as one of the healthiest beverages one can consume and that's just from tea leaves steeped in hot water.
Matcha, on the other hand, is the entire tea leaf crushed up into powder form, which means more of its nutrients remain intact!
Here's a list of some of the proven health benefits of green matcha:
- Antioxidant-Rich
- Promotes Liver Health
- May Help Fight Cancer
- May Improve Heart Health
- Improves Cognition
- May Assist W/ Weight Loss
What's not to love, right? It's no surprise that matcha green tea has made its way into the hearts (and bodies!) of so many!
Uses For Blue Matcha Powder
I think it's safe to assume that blue matcha has gained popularity mainly due to its bright blue color. It's become widely known for being a natural food dye since it has a mild, more neutral flavor than its earthy green counterpart.
That being said, blue matcha is used for its health benefits, it is also fun to use just for the sake of being able to turn things BLUE! Here are some common uses for it:
- Tea/Lattes/Frappuccinos
- Cocktails
- Smoothies/Milkshakes
- Desserts/Baked Goods
- Yogurt/Oatmeal
- Candy/Energy Balls
- Fabrics
Really, the options are endless as blue matcha will definitely lend its color enthusiastically to anything it comes in contact with... you have been warned. ;)
Uses For Green Matcha Powder
While blue matcha is a fan fav for its fun color, traditional green matcha powder is used mainly for its many health benefits. It has many of the same uses above, aside from being used to dye fabrics and add flare to cocktails.
Green matcha can be added to any drink or dish to give it a nutritional boost but here are some ideas if you're not sure what to experiment with first:
- Tea/Lattes/Frappuccinos
- Smoothies/Milkshakes
- Baked Goods
- Noodles/Soups/Salads
- Dusted on Popcorn
- Oatmeal/Granola
As with blue matcha, green matcha also has MANY uses! Once you've tried green matcha and have a feel for its flavor you'll be better able to pair it with your favorite foods.
The Picking Process
Now that you know that blue and green matcha is completely different teas each toting its own slew of benefits for one to enjoy, my guess is that you just might be ready to proceed toward trying one (or both!) for yourself!
If so, you're in luck because I have searched Amazon far and wide for you to find the brands that are tickling the most tastebuds and read TONS of the reviews before adding them to my list. So without further ado, here are the 2 BEST blue and green matcha powders.
The Goods
Best Green And Blue Matcha Powders
Full Disclosure: WholisticHealthJunkie.com is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs, meaning that any links you click below may result in commissions at no extra cost to you. And now that THAT'S out of the way...Happy Scrolling! ;)
Blue Matcha Powder
Ancient Choice - Butterfly Pea Flower Powder (4 ounce) | Blue Matcha Tea | Ceremonial (Highest) Grade | Adaptogenic Raw Culinary | Natural Food Coloring | Thai Non-GMO | Vegan
Officially "Hooked"
"Love This Powder! Blue-To-Purple...Everything: LOVE this butterfly pea powder! The first thing I did was make Blue Vietnamese Rice Noodles, by soaking the noodles in water with the butterfly pea flour, and when you top them with a Nuoc Cham Sauce (lime juice, rice vinegar, fish sauce, hot peppers, garlic) the lime juice makes the noodles turn bright purple! How fun is that?! Will be making ALL sort of things with this that will be blue, and then get to turn purple- starting with Vietnam Spring Rolls! :-) Blue ice cubes for cocktails, blue pasta, blue milk... the culinary world will be my Blue Oyster! LOL" -Amazon Reviewer
ORGANIC Blue Matcha Powder
Orgnisulmte Organic Blue Butterfly Pea Powder Premium Blue Matcha Tea Powder, Natural Food Coloring, Butterfly Pea Flower Powder (4.32Oz)
Officially "Hooked"
"Love The Color: Used it to make fun colored bread & it came out beautifully! Haven’t tried it as tea, just as a food coloring & really enjoyed it and can t wait to use it again." -Amazon Reviewer
Green Matcha Powder
MATCHA DNA Certified Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder (16 oz TIN CAN)
Officially "Hooked"
"Tastes Great, Lots Of Energy: I have been using this to get through my 12-14 hour nursing shifts because I was drinking so much coffee. I add 4-5 scoops in my matcha with oatmilk and a dash of simple syrup and it's so good! I think it has somehow helped me to loose weight because I haven't changed anything else about my lifestyle, but it could be something else. Either way, it tastesgreat and gives me just as much energy as coffee (or more) without me consuming as much caffeine. I definitely recommend. :)" -Amazon Reviewer
Green Matcha Powder
Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder | Baking, Lattes, Smoothies | Japanese Culinary Grade | 4oz
Officially "Hooked"
"OBSESSED: I almost forgot how much I love matcha! I LOVE this powder. I make myself an iced matcha latte with almond milk and a little blue agave syrup almost every day - I also feel like it has had a lot of benefits on my health - I noticed I wasn't retaining water as much, especially around the time of month, among other things, and I researched a little, and I didn't realize it can help balance hormones. So that's an added PLUS for me!" -Amazon Reviewer
3 Fun Matcha Latte Recipes
Here's a fun video with recipes using blue matcha tea, green matcha tea, and DRAGONFRUIT Matcha... which I'd never heard of until now! ;)
Final Thoughts
So that's a wrap on blue matcha vs green matcha! I do hope that this article has helped introduce you to the many benefits of both blue and green matcha powders, as well as shown you how to use them in your everyday life.
Now that you know all there is to know about these two super teas, it's time for you to choose your favorite and get ta brewing! Thanks for reading!
