Tea, like coffee, is a universally loved beverage. If you are a tea aficionado, then chances are you have tasted many different categories of teas. Two of the most common categories are black and green tea. But have you ever wondered what is the difference between black and green tea?
Explore the differences (and similarities) of black and green tea so you can choose the right one for your next tea session.
What Is the Difference Between Black Tea and Green Tea?
Black and green tea share many properties and benefits. They are both good for the heart since they are a source of the antioxidant polyphenols, particularly flavonoids. The presence of caffeine also makes them essential for boosting brain function (although black tea contains more caffeine).
Given the similar benefits of both types of tea, it makes you wonder how you can choose from the two. Check out below the properties and characteristics that mark the difference between black tea and green tea.
Where The Tea is Grown
The origin of black and green tea tends to overlap. They are most grown in some areas of Asia and India. Black teas are produced from China and India. The varieties of black teas currently sold in the market hint at where they are grown since they are named after the specific regions where they are from.
Other countries in Asia such as Vietnam and Nepal also produce black tea. On the other hand, green tea originates from China and Japan.
How They Are Processed
Black and green tea go through different processing and they also vary in terms of the level of oxidation. Oxidation refers to the process of exposing the tea leaves to oxygen over a specific amount of time. This process explains why sliced apples turn brown after it is exposed to air.
Once harvested, the tea leaves go through a heating process in order to stop the oxidation process (either by pan frying or steaming). The goal is to reduce the level of oxidation so that the leaves can retain their bright green color. In the case of black tea, they are allowed to fully oxidize upon harvesting, causing the leaves to turn black (thus the name black tea).
Green and Black Tea Varieties
As mentioned above, there are different varieties of black and green tea in the market depending on which region they are grown. Both green and black tea are derived from the camellia sinensis plant. However, they differ in terms of the specific variety of the tea plant that is used for processing them into black or green tea.
As the popularity of the tea growing market spread throughout the world, there are many regional varieties that were cultivated over time. Now, you can find different varieties of black or green tea to suit your taste.
The Brewing Process for Green and Black Tea
The difference between black tea and green tea is also in how they are brewed. The ideal temperature to brew black tea is at 212 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes. Depending on the variety of black tea, however, this could require more brewing time.
Green tea must be brewed at a slightly lower temperature of 175 degrees. There are certain varieties of green tea like Kabusecha and Gyokuro that must be brewed at a temperature of 140 degrees. Using extremely high temperature for brewing green tea can cause the leaves to burn leaving your tea with a bitter taste. Hence, it must be steeped for a shorter amount of time than black tea.
The Differences in Appearance and Taste
The two most obvious areas of difference between black tea and green tea is in terms of their appearance and taste.
Black tea looks rich and has a reddish-brown brew. In terms of flavor, black teas are robust and more full-bodied. Certain varieties of black tea provide a hint of honey, malt, and spice.
Green tea has a lighter colored brew and offers a more delicate flavor. Its color will range from pale gold to a rich, mossy green. The flavor is much lighter, too. Some varieties offer hints of nutty and oceanic flavors. In terms of variety, Japanese green teas have more depth in flavor and also darker in color.
Caffeine Level
Black tea has more caffeine content than green tea. Green tea contains an average of 9 to 50 mg of caffeine per cup. On the other hand, black tea contains an average of 42 to 72 mg of caffeine per cup.
There are a few exceptions to this, however. Shade-grown green teas have much higher caffeine content than your typical green tea. On the other hand, there are also specialty black tea varieties that are low in caffeine.
If consuming high amounts of caffeine is a special concern, it is important to check the specific variety of tea you are consuming to ensure that you have the right amount of caffeine as desired.