Green tea powder on a wooden spoon

Green tea extract powder vs matcha powder: differences for food and supplement producers

Short answer: matcha powder is the whole green tea leaf, shade-grown and ground into a fine powder. Green tea extract powder is made by extracting compounds from green tea leaves, then concentrating and drying the extract. Matcha is mainly used in drinks and food for its colour and taste, while the extract is used where a formula needs a concentrated green tea ingredient in a small volume, such as capsules. For food supplements, green tea extracts that contain EGCG are subject to specific EU rules in Regulation (EU) 2022/2340, with a daily limit and mandatory warnings on the label.

What is matcha powder?

Matcha is green tea from shade-grown leaves of Camellia sinensis that are dried and ground into a fine powder. Nothing is removed from the leaf: when matcha is used in a drink or recipe, the whole leaf ends up in the product. That is why matcha is suspended in liquid rather than dissolved, and why it gives drinks and food a green colour and a typical tea flavour.

Matcha is sold in grades such as culinary (classic), premium and ceremonial. Those grade names are trade terms and are explained in our guide to matcha grades for wholesale buyers.

What is green tea extract powder?

Green tea extract powder is a concentrated extract of green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) with naturally occurring catechins and polyphenols. To make it, the leaves are extracted with a solvent, and the extract is concentrated and dried into a powder. Depending on the product, a carrier may be added during drying.

Extracts are described in the specification, for example by extraction ratio or by standardisation on certain compounds, and by the solvent and any carrier used. Two green tea extracts can differ a lot, so the specification matters more than the product name.

How do green tea extract powder and matcha powder compare?

Aspect Matcha powder Green tea extract powder
What it is Whole shade-grown tea leaf, ground Concentrated extract of green tea leaves
Processing Drying and grinding Extraction, concentration and drying
Behaviour in liquid Suspends, does not dissolve Often dissolves more easily, depending on the extract and carrier
Amount per serving Gram amounts in drinks and food Small amounts, often milligrams per capsule or portion
Colour and taste Green colour and tea flavour are part of the product Colour and taste vary by extract; bitterness is common
Typical applications Lattes, smoothies, bakery, ice cream, drink mixes Capsules, tablets, drink and food formulations
Key documents Specification, CoA, organic certificate if sold as organic Specification with solvent and carrier, CoA, data on EGCG content for supplement labelling

Which one fits capsules, drinks or food?

  • Capsules and tablets: an extract gives a concentrated green tea ingredient in a small volume, which suits capsules. Matcha can also be filled into capsules, but the amount per capsule is limited by the capsule size.
  • Drinks: matcha is the standard choice for lattes, iced matcha and drink mixes where the green colour and tea taste are what the customer expects. Extracts are used in drink formulations where a powdery texture is not wanted.
  • Food: matcha is used in bakery, ice cream, chocolate and bars for its colour and flavour. Extracts appear in food formulations that need green tea in a small amount, within the legal limits that apply to the product.

Whatever you choose, test the ingredient in your own formula. Dosing, mixing behaviour, taste and colour stability differ between products and batches.

What EU rules apply to green tea extract in food supplements?

In 2022 the European Commission adopted Regulation (EU) 2022/2340, which amends Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 for green tea extracts containing (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). It followed a 2018 scientific opinion of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on the safety of green tea catechins. In short:

  • Green tea extracts containing EGCG are listed as restricted substances (Annex III, Part B) and are under Union scrutiny (Part C).
  • A daily portion of the food must contain less than 800 mg of EGCG.
  • The label must state the EGCG content per portion and the maximum number of portions for daily consumption.
  • The label must carry warnings that the product should not be consumed if you are consuming other products containing green tea on the same day, should not be consumed by pregnant or lactating women and children below 18 years old, and should not be consumed on an empty stomach.
  • Aqueous green tea extracts that, after reconstitution in beverages, have a composition comparable to traditional green tea infusions are excluded.

For a supplement brand this means you need reliable data on the EGCG content of the extract and of your finished product before you design the label. Matcha is ground whole leaf rather than an extract. If you combine matcha and extract in one product, or are unsure how your product is classified, check with the competent authority in your country.

The general rules still apply as well: Directive 2002/46/EC for food supplements, Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 for food information, and Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 for nutrition and health claims. Only use claims that are authorised in the EU Register of nutrition and health claims, under the conditions set for them.

What should you ask your supplier for?

  1. A specification with the botanical name, plant part, extraction solvent, carrier (if any) and extraction ratio or standardisation for an extract.
  2. A certificate of analysis for each batch, with a batch number that matches your delivery.
  3. Data on the EGCG content of the extract, so you can calculate the content per portion for your label.
  4. An organic certificate if you buy and sell the product as organic.
  5. An allergen statement and storage conditions with shelf life.
  6. The HS code for customs, standard package sizes and lead time.

Green tea extract and matcha from GOA Supply

We supply both ingredients in bulk for food and supplement producers. Our green tea extract powder and our organic matcha green tea powder come in standard packages of 10, 50 and 100 kg. Our green tea extract capsules come in vegetarian HPMC capsules in packages of 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 capsules. Orders are usually shipped within 1–2 weeks, depending on stock. Smaller quantities are possible on request, prices exclude shipping and we can arrange transport. See all grades in our matcha wholesale collection or read how ordering works on our wholesale page.

FAQ

Is matcha the same as green tea extract?

No. Matcha is the whole tea leaf ground into powder. Green tea extract is made by extracting compounds from the leaves and concentrating them, so its composition depends on how it is produced.

Does Regulation (EU) 2022/2340 apply to matcha?

The regulation covers green tea extracts containing EGCG. Matcha is ground whole leaf, not an extract. If your product combines matcha with an extract, or you are unsure about its classification, ask the competent authority in your country.

Can I put matcha in capsules?

Yes. Matcha can be filled into capsules like other powders. The amount per capsule depends on the capsule size and the density of the powder.

What do I need for the label of a green tea extract supplement?

Besides the general information required by Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 and Directive 2002/46/EC, you need the EGCG content per portion, the maximum number of portions per day and the warnings set out in Regulation (EU) 2022/2340.

Can I order both ingredients as private label?

Yes. Green tea extract capsules, green tea extract powder and all matcha grades are available as private label. Private label production usually takes 5 to 12 weeks.

Sources

Written by Florian Fermin, co-owner of GOA Supply.

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