Picture this: it’s bright and earl-y in the morning and you’re making your first cup of tea. You check your tea options and see your favorite green tea, and your favorite black tea. You know you want the caffeine from the black tea, but the health benefits from the green tea sound great too…. so what do you do?
We find ourselves in this debate pretty much every morning – so what’s the answer? Keep reading about the key differences so you can make the best choice for you!
As we know, black teas and green teas are both derived from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. However, they differ in terms of how they are processed, which gives them their distinct flavors, aromas, and health benefits.
Black Tea vs Green Tea Processing
Black teas are made by withering the tea leaves, rolling them to release the enzymes, and allowing them to oxidize and ferment. This process results in a dark, strong-flavored tea with a high caffeine content. The oxidation process also creates complex flavors and aromas, such as earthy, malty, or fruity notes.
On the other hand, green teas are made by steaming or pan-frying the tea leaves immediately after they are harvested to stop the oxidation process. This results in a light-colored, delicate-tasting tea with a low caffeine content. Green tea also contains high levels of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds such as catechins and flavonoids, which have been shown to have various health benefits. To learn all about green tea, check out this post!
Different Brewing Methods
Another key difference between black and green teas is brewing methods. Black teas are usually brewed with boiling water and steeped for several minutes, while green teas are brewed with cooler water, around 175°F to 185°F and steeped for a shorter time, usually between 1-3 minutes, to prevent it from becoming bitter.
Health Benefits of Black Tea
Black teas have a number of potential health benefits. Here are a few of the most common ones:
- Improved heart health: Studies have shown that drinking black teas can improve cardiovascular health by reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. The antioxidants in black tea may help to reduce inflammation and improve the health of blood vessels.
- Lowered cholesterol levels: Drinking black teas may also help to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in the blood. This could help to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Increased mental alertness: Black teas contains caffeine (an average of 55mg per cup), which can help to improve mental alertness and concentration. It may also help to improve mood and reduce stress.
- Improved gut health: The polyphenols in black teas may also have a positive effect on gut health by promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
- Reduced risk of cancer: Some studies have suggested that drinking black teas may be associated with a reduced risk of certain types of cancer, including breast, ovarian, and lung cancer.
- Better bone health: Drinking black teas may also help to improve bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis, especially in postmenopausal women.
It’s worth noting that while these potential health benefits are promising, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of black teas on human health. Additionally, consuming large amounts of black tea (more than 5 cups per day) may have negative side effects, such as increased risk of kidney stones or disrupted iron absorption. As with any food or beverage, moderation is key.
Health Benefits of Green Tea
Green tea has also been associated with a bunch of potential health benefits. Here are some of the most notable:
- Improved brain function: Green teas contains caffeine (around 35mg on average) and the amino acid L-theanine, which together can improve cognitive function, including memory and reaction time.
- Increased fat burning: Some studies have suggested that green teas can increase metabolic rate and fat oxidation, which could help to promote weight loss.
- Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease: Drinking green teas may help to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke by improving blood lipid levels and reducing blood pressure.
- Lowered risk of type 2 diabetes: Some studies have shown that green tea consumption may be associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Lowered risk of certain cancers: The antioxidants in green tea may help to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, such as breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer.
- Improved dental health: Green teas may also help to improve dental health by reducing plaque and the risk of gum disease.
- Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases: The polyphenols in green tea may also have neuroprotective effects, reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
Similarly to black teas, it’s important to remember that while these potential health benefits are promising, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of green teas on human health. Additionally, consuming large amounts of green tea (more than 5 cups per day) may have negative side effects, such as increased risk of liver or kidney damage due to its high content of catechins. As with any food or beverage, moderation is key.
So What Should I Drink?
So, black teas are strong, dark teas with high caffeine content and complex flavors, while green teas are typically more delicate, lighter teas with lower caffeine content and high levels of antioxidants. If you’re struggling to make this choice in the morning, we totally get it. Personally, we like to start with a black tea and then move on the green. If you’re leaning towards green but want the additional caffeine, you could always drink a larger cup of green tea. We recommend trying a couple different methods to see what suites you, but either way you can enjoy a delicious, healthy cup of tea!