What are the differences between the superfoods matcha powder and barley grass powder?
Matcha powder focuses on "antioxidant and energizing/soothing effects," leveraging the synergistic benefits of tea polyphenols and L-theanine; barley grass powder focuses on "comprehensive nutritional supplementation and metabolic regulation," with chlorophyll, dietary fiber, and SOD active enzymes as its core competitive advantages.
Release time:
2026-01-16
Source:
一、Overview of Key Differences
Comparison dimensions | Matcha Powder | Barley grass powder |
|---|---|---|
Source of raw materials | The young leaves of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis), harvested in early spring, are preferably from varieties such as Longjing 43 and Fuding Dabai, and are cultivated under shade. | Young barley seedlings (Hordeum vulgare) 25-40 cm tall after overwintering, preferably the tender leaves from pesticide-free cultivation in authentic producing regions. |
Core processing technology | Shading cultivation → Steaming and de-enzyming (120-150℃, 30-60 seconds) → Cooling and dehydration → Stone mill grinding (2000 mesh or finer) → Low-temperature drying (≤60℃), with oxygen control throughout the process to preserve color. | Low-temperature harvesting → Washing with clean water at 8-15℃ → Hot air drying at 50-60℃ → Colloidal mill cell disruption → Vacuum concentration (46-55℃) → Spray drying (inlet air 130-160℃), with lactose/dextrin added as a disintegrant to improve solubility. |
Core active ingredients | Tea polyphenols (15%-25%), EGCG (5%-8%), theanine (1%-2%), caffeine (1%-2%), lutein | Chlorophyll (542-940 mg/100g), total dietary fiber (30-51 g/100g), SOD (42400-64800 units/100g), β-glucan, potassium (1600-3840 mg/100g), iron (20-146 mg/100g) |
The core functions focus on... | 1. Strong antioxidant properties (its ability to scavenge free radicals is 20 times greater than that of vitamin C); 2. Synergistic effects of invigoration and relaxation (caffeine + L-theanine); 3. Helps regulate blood sugar (tea polyphenols inhibit α-amylase). | 1. Complete nutritional supplementation (17 amino acids + various vitamins and minerals); 2. Metabolic regulation (lowers blood lipids, combats obesity); 3. Intestinal health maintenance (high dietary fiber promotes peristalsis); 4. Damage repair (accelerates DNA damage repair, improves endurance). |
Target audience | Urban professionals (seeking anti-fatigue and antioxidant benefits), people managing blood sugar levels, those seeking ingredients for cosmetics and skincare products, and those looking for functional upgrades in baking ingredients. | Sub-healthy individuals (with nutritional imbalances), individuals with high blood lipids/obesity, those with intestinal dysfunction, athletes (for improved endurance), and middle-aged and elderly individuals requiring metabolic regulation. |
Application Scenarios | Premium tea beverages, functional baked goods (bread/cakes), antioxidant health supplements, beauty masks/serums, and sugar-control meal replacement aids. | Green juice meal replacements, intestinal health supplements, sports nutrition supplements, multi-vitamins for middle-aged and elderly people, and hangover relief and liver protection products (formulations). |
Key quality control indicators | Tea polyphenols ≥18%, EGCG ≥6%, moisture content ≤5%, heavy metal lead ≤0.5 ppm, caffeine content indicated, no pesticide residues detected. | Chlorophyll ≥ 500 mg/100g, dietary fiber ≥ 30 g/100g, SOD ≥ 40000 units/100g, ash content ≤ 8%, total microbial count ≤ 1000 CFU/g |
二、The interconnected logic of ingredients, manufacturing process, and efficacy.
1. Matcha powder: Advanced processing locks in freshness, activating the dual benefits of "polyphenols + L-theanine."

Synergistic Freshness Preservation through Raw Materials and Processing:
Raw Materials: Young tea leaves from early spring tea plants are cultivated under shade for 20-30 days, resulting in a 30% increase in chlorophyll and amino acid content compared to ordinary tea leaves, laying the foundation for subsequent efficacy;
Processing: Short-term steaming and de-enzyming at 120-150℃ quickly inactivates polyphenol oxidase activity, preventing the oxidation and degradation of tea polyphenols; grinding with a stone mill of over 2000 mesh ensures a delicate texture while avoiding high-temperature grinding that could damage active ingredients; low-temperature drying in an oxygen-controlled environment further minimizes ingredient loss.
Scientific Support for Ingredients and Efficacy:
Core Antioxidant: EGCG in tea polyphenols is a powerful natural antioxidant that precisely eliminates free radicals and slows down cell aging. Its antioxidant capacity far surpasses that of SOD enzymes in barley grass powder, making it suitable for high-end antioxidant applications;
Energizing and Soothing Synergy: Caffeine provides quick energy and relieves fatigue, while L-theanine neutralizes the stimulating effects of caffeine, preventing anxiety and palpitations, achieving an "energizing without overstimulation" effect, suitable for the daily needs of urban professionals;
Blood Sugar Control Support: Tea polyphenols can inhibit the activity of intestinal α-amylase, delaying carbohydrate absorption. It is suitable as a complementary ingredient in blood sugar control products. Daily intake of 5g of high-purity matcha powder can help reduce postprandial blood sugar fluctuations.
2. Barley Grass Powder: Comprehensive Nutritional Coverage, Focusing on Dual Regulation of Metabolism and Gut Health
The core value of barley grass powder lies in "using natural plant sprouts as a carrier to achieve both comprehensive nutritional supplementation and metabolic regulation." Its ingredient system emphasizes basic nutrition and functional regulation, making it suitable for general health purposes:
Nutrient Preservation in Raw Materials and Processing:
Raw Materials: We select barley sprouts that are 25-40 cm in length. At this stage, the barley sprouts have a low degree of fiber development, and the chlorophyll and SOD enzyme content reach their peak. After 40 cm, the crude fiber increases, and the nutrient density decreases.
Processing: Low-temperature washing at 8-15℃ prevents chlorophyll loss. Vacuum concentration and spray drying at 46-55℃ (inlet air temperature 130-160℃, drying time 0.2-0.4 seconds) rapidly dehydrate the sprouts while preserving heat-sensitive components. The addition of lactose as a disintegrant not only improves solubility in cold water but also makes it suitable for various dosage forms such as tablets and powders.

Experimental Evidence of Ingredients and Efficacy:
Metabolic Regulation: Clinical studies show that daily intake of 10g of barley grass powder for 4 consecutive weeks can reduce serum total cholesterol by 12% and triglycerides by 15% in people with high blood lipids, while also delaying LDL oxidation and reducing lipid peroxide content;
Intestinal Health: The high dietary fiber content of 30-51g/100g promotes intestinal peristalsis and increases stool volume. Beta-glucan regulates the balance of intestinal flora, improving constipation and intestinal dysfunction;
Complete Nutritional Supplementation: Contains 17 amino acids, B vitamins, and minerals such as iron (20-146mg/100g) and potassium (1600-3840mg/100g), which can quickly replenish nutritional deficiencies in people with sub-optimal health. It is also caffeine-free, making it suitable for sensitive individuals.
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