Difference Between Green, White and Black Tea.

Tea is not new to us as humans. As a matter of fact, tea has been a big part of the human diet for over 5000 years. For starters, this fantastic beverage which originated from China is considered a necessity for good health as well as a key to wisdom, and happiness for thousands of years. Moreover, it is the most consumed beverage in the world and offers a lot of health benefits to the body.

Next, we’re going to explore the primary categories of tea as well as their differences so you can freely choose the one that best suites your taste buds and health goals. The big secret is that these teas come from the same plant (Camellia sinensis), but the difference lies in how the leaves are processed.

So what are the major types of tea? Well, just as you guessed, there are three main types of tea including:

  • Green tea
  • Black tea
  • White tea

Note: There are many other types of tea, but these three are the ones that tea purists consider to be the real deal.

Green Tea

Green tea is derived from the leaves that have been processed with minimal oxidation. The tea originates from China and Japan but has since been one of the most consumed drink in the world. The brewing time for this kind of tea typically vary from thirty seconds to three minutes, and the temperature of the water should be between 142 to 189°F (this solely depends on the quality of the tea).

Green tea is high in antioxidants including catechins which helps prevent cell damage. It’s recommended to add a little lemon to your tea especially if you want to enhance the absorption of catechin.

If you do not enjoy the taste of the tea, finding it too bitter, opt for honey instead of sugar. Honey will add additional health benefits instead of just extra calories.

Green tea offers quite some health benefits that you shouldn’t ignore; it helps cut down the risk of stroke and aid in reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Moreover, the tea can reduce blood sugar and bad cholesterol levels. It’s important to note that green tea is not safe for pregnant women because it contains both caffeine and tannins.

In addition, there are many flavored version of this drink which contains several healthy herbs and plants including ginger, Jasmin, cinnamon, etc. The best part is that these herbs can alter the taste of the tea making it excellent for those who cannot keep up with the bitter taste.

Black tea

Black tea is the most popular type of tea, being made from fully oxidized leaves. One good thing about black tea is that it can retain its flavor for a very long time as opposed to green tea which typically loses its flavor in a year. Also, production of black tea occurs throughout the world, and it happens to be the hot beverage of choice in the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia, and Russia, as well as some other parts of Europe.

Some blends of this tea are made to go well with milk and sugar. However, adding milk to it decreases its health benefits. Unlike green tea whose taste becomes incredibly bitter when brewed at higher temperatures, brew black tea should in boiling water for about three to five minutes.

Black tea also contains antioxidants but not as many as green tea. In addition,  the antioxidants present in black tea are significantly reduced at higher temperatures.

Black tea can improve your oral health as it plays a role in reducing the formation of plaque and also limits the growth of bacteria. This tea may also reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in women, reduce diastolic and systolic blood pressure, and can also minimize the possibility of stroke. Moreover, consuming black tea on a regular basis can lower LDL cholesterol thanks to its high caffeine content.

You should also know that the caffeine content can pose a health risk if you drink more than five cups a day. It’s also an excellent idea to consult your physician before making it a big part of your diet.

White Tea

White tea is yet another variety that’s gaining following thanks to its high level of antioxidants and low level of caffeine. This tea originated from Fujian province of China, but places like India, Taiwan, and Sri Lanka are also producing it. It is, however, important to mention that the plant used for white tea in these areas differ from those in Fujian province.

The unopened buds of the tea plant create the white tea, which could also be complemented with mature leaves. The buds get exposed to a little amount of warmth after being plucked to reduce water content and then dried by the sun. This process makes the tea slightly oxidized.

The caffeine content may increase, to the point where it will be higher than the one in black tea, if the tea brews at a higher than recommended temperature. Always keep this in mind, especially if you’re sensitive to caffeine. White tea should be heated from 158 to 176°F and brewed for about two to five minutes.

As mentioned earlier, all types of tea originate from the same plant, as such, there are several overlapping benefits. White tea is the least processed in the pack, so it contains the highest level of antioxidants (Referring to the white teas produced in Fujian Province, China). White tea eliminates bacteria that cause plaque, bad breath, and tooth decay. It also protects against heart disease, cancer, and stroke, and helps reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. This tea also has extremely low caffeine content making it perfect for the caffeine sensitive among us.

Summary

We have explored and compared the three main varieties of tea and what each has to offer. All in all, tea is one of the best drinks you can consume at any time of the day, and the best part is all three varieties provide the body with amazing health benefits. It’s now up to you to sample the one that suits your taste and preferences!