​A Battle Between Black Tea and Green Tea

A battle is brewing between the two most popular teas, black tea versus green tea. Both types of tea taste great, but only one can win when it comes to flavour and health benefits. In this article, we're going to compare green tea versus black tea to see which one comes out on top. We'll be looking at the differences between the two teas, comparing the caffeine in green tea versus black tea, and finally seeing why green tea is healthier than black tea once and for all.

Understanding the Different Types of Tea

To understand the difference between green tea and black tea, you have to first understand that there are actually six different types of teas: white tea, yellow tea, green tea, oolong tea, black tea, and post-fermented tea. These teas all come from the same plant, but they are processed differently. This results in different teas, such as the Giddapahar Marvel oolong tea or the Chabessey Silvery Elegance white tea.

The difference between green tea and black tea comes down to not only the plant, but also to the processing. Keep this in mind when choosing between different types of tea when you buy organic tea online.

Processing and Oxidation

The difference between green tea versus black tea comes down to the processing of the teas, specifically the oxidation. The main difference is that black tea is oxidized and green tea is unoxidized.

Oxidation is what happens when a plant is exposed to the oxygen in the air, and it changes forms. In the case of green tea versus black tea, the oxidation causes the tea leaf to convert its polyphenols into theaflavins and thearubigins. This causes differences in the colour, flavour, and health benefits of black tea versus green tea.

If the tea leaves are simply picked and set aside, they will begin to oxidize naturally and eventually take on the characteristics of a black tea. For this reason, if the farmer wants to produce an unoxidized green tea, he will need to deactivate the enzymes that cause oxidation. This is accomplished by applying intense heat to the tea leaves almost immediately after the harvest. This heating is the main difference between green tea and black tea when it comes to production

Appearance of Green Tea Versus Black Tea

Another striking difference between green tea and black tea is the colour of the two teas. Green tea takes on the colour of yellow or green, whereas black tea is typically a reddish brown. This comes from the oxidation, during which the colour of the leaf fades from vibrant green to a dull brown colour.

For example, the Cherry Rose Organic Green Tea features leaves of a nice green colour, with some fruity notes of cherries and roses. On the other hand, the Dublin Dawn Black Tea features dark colored tea leaves, producing a strong malty flavour. 

 

Caffeine Content in Green Tea and Black Tea

One of the big differences between the two teas is the caffeine. When you compare green tea versus black tea caffeine, you'll see that the average cup of black tea has 47 mg of caffeine per cup. For instance, the Lavender Infused Earl Grey Aromatic Black Tea has a medium level of caffeine. Whereas, a premium Japanese green tea like Gyokuro can have as much as 120 to 140 mg of caffeine per cup.

The reason why there's more caffeine in green tea has to do with the picking, the shading, and the processing. Unlike black tea, high-caffeine Japanese green teas like Gyokuro are shaded before the harvest, which boosts the levels of caffeine. Also, this tea is made from only the top three sprouts of the tea plant, which boosts the caffeine content even further. For example, the Vitality Organic Matcha is a Japanese green tea with a high level of caffeine.

While not all Japanese green teas will have as high of a caffeine content as Gyokuro, quite a few of them are shaded and also made from these younger leaves. A more common Japanese green tea will contain around 60 mg of caffeine per serving.

One advantage that black tea might actually have over green tea in the caffeine department is the fact that it's often brewed with hotter water. Hot water extracts more bitterness in a green tea, but can also extract more caffeine. Black tea, on the other hand, doesn't get quite as bitter when you boil it, so this might lead to an upset in the caffeine battle.

Which Tea Is Healthier?

The question on everyone's mind: which is healthier, green tea or black tea?

Green tea is generally considered to be healthier than black tea, and it comes down to a few different factors. First, we have the picking. Black tea is often, although not always, made from the older leaves of the tea plant, and Japanese green teas like Sencha, Gyokuro, and Matcha are made from the younger tea leaves. The younger leaves of the tea plant are higher in nutrients, which is why green teas get their reputation for being nutritional powerhouses.

Another difference comes down to the antioxidants. During the oxidation process, the polyphenols are converted into theaflavins and thearubigins. This produces a delicious flavour, but the polyphenols are actually antioxidants. For this reason, green teas will maintain higher levels of antioxidants compared to their oxidized counterparts. When trying to buy green tea online, you might often see that the antioxidant level is high, such as in the Verdant Berry Organic Green Tea.

Flavour and Brewing Advantages of Green Tea

Another advantage that green tea has over black tea is that green tea works very well as a cold brew. You can simply infuse the tea leaves in cold or room-temperature water for 3 to 8 hours and strain out the tea leaves. The cold water releases more of the sweet and fruity components from the leaves and less of the bitterness. For example, the Jogijhora Jade Delight Green Tea is from India, and it is only brewed to 80 degrees Celsius.

This method can also work with black tea, but not nearly as well. Another advantage of green tea versus black tea is the flavour profile. During the steaming process, the farmer can lock in a lot of the natural, fresh vegetable flavours of the leaf. This creates a tea experience unlike any other.

 

Final Thoughts

So, who won the battle of black tea versus green tea? Overall, green tea seems to be the better option. When comparing caffeine, health benefits, and flavour, green tea comes out on top.

Thanks for checking out the article. You can easily buy tea leaves online. It’s a great way to find great deals on Inasbay marketplace and explore a vast selection.

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