Difference Between Green Tea and Black Tea

Green Tea vs Black Tea

Green tea and black tea are two of the well known types of tea that a lot of people believe are beneficial to one’s health. Green or black tea, they both come from the same plant Camellia Senesis. However, their taste, color, and their impact on health may vary through the way each of them is processed.

Green tea

Green tea is produced by slightly allowing the tea leaves to oxidize and then immediately stop it by pan-firing or steaming. Oxidation is the process in which oxygen is absorbed by the leaves allowing it to wither and become dry. By steaming or firing, the green color of the leaves is preserved giving it a subtler, milder, grassy taste than black tea.

Black tea

Black tea is produced by allowing the leaves to wither and oxidize completely, leaving them brown, dry and withered. That is why black teas are richer, stronger and bitter in taste than green tea. Because the tea leaves are 100% oxidized, black tea contains more tannins than green tea, making the tea black in color. Seventy five percent of the teas harvested are made into black tea.

Difference between Green Tea and Black Tea

Tea is a great source of antioxidants. Antioxidants help our body get rid of the free radicals that cause damage to our cells. Both green and black teas contain antioxidants which are really beneficial to us. Tea also contains caffeine, but the amount of caffeine varies between the two teas. Black tea has higher caffeine content than green tea. It is mostly because of the different process tea leaves underwent for each of them.

Drinking tea has been part of the Chinese lifestyle, and the increase in number of tea drinkers outside China proves that tea can bring about significant changes in health. Tea also contains amino acids which help boost our immune system. Tea drinkers also prove to have lower risk of having diabetes. All these are reason enough for us to start drinking tea so our body can benefit from it.

In brief: • Green and black teas come from the same plant but are processed differently. Green tea, while partially oxidized, undergoes steaming or firing and retains its green color. Black tea is allowed to wither and oxidize completely making its leaves dry, brown and withered. • Black tea contains tannins which contributes to the tea’s color. • Both teas contain antioxidants, amino acids and caffeine. However, black tea has higher caffeine content than green tea. • Green tea has grassy, milder taste. Black tea has bitter, stronger flavor.