How is green tea different from black?

In addition to the obvious difference in taste, infusion color and aroma, black and green tea have completely different chemical composition, useful properties, effects on the psychoemotional state of a person.

Many people think that black and green tea are some different varieties of tea plants. This is actually not the case. Black and green tea are produced from the same plant - Caméllia sinénsis, Chinese camellia. The only difference is in the method of processing the tea leaf.

Why is it that such a different tea is made from the same plant?

After collection, black tea undergoes a fermentation process (natural oxidation). The tea leaf is getting dark, its chemical composition is changing. It is due to fermentation that black tea acquires a strong taste, a sweet thick aroma and a beautiful infusion color from amber to dark brown. Depending on the variety, the degree of fermentation of black tea can range from 70 to 100%.
Green tea undergoes the process of stopping fermentation by roasting or steaming. Under the influence of high temperature, the tea leaf ceases to oxidize and remains green, retaining most of the vitamins and trace elements that were in the freshly picked tea leaf. The aroma of green tea is delicate, grassy - floral, the color of the infusion is from light yellow to emerald green. The degree of fermentation of green tea is -2-5%, depending on the variety and processing method.

Does this mean that green tea is healthier than black?

Yes and no. Each tea group has its own special “trump card” in the utility deck. If you compare by certain criteria, you can draw a comparison plate, for example, more vitamins in green tea. But in black there are more minerals. Caffeine is more in green tea - but not for everyone this is a positive feature. Green tea tones, but black perfectly relieves fatigue. Everything is relative.

In addition, it is very difficult to talk about clear numbers of the contents of certain substances in both black and green tea, since the qualitative characteristics of different varieties of a representative of one group can vary greatly depending on the quality of the raw materials, the content of the tea bud, the height of growth and even seasonality.

For example, Kimon black tea from Yunnan consists of 50% tea buds, while in budget green tea from second-rate raw materials it is almost absent.

We will not bore you with numbers. Just decide what useful properties are priority for you - based on these considerations and choose YOUR tea.

Which tea is the most healthy?

Why do the Chinese drink more green tea and the Europeans drink black?

A hasty conclusion can be made that Asians prefer green tea, because it is healthier. But, judge for yourself, is a person always disposed to choose the most useful, and not what is more like or more familiar? ;-)

The history of tea originates in ancient times. In China, the cradle of tea, this beautiful drink has been drunk for more than 5,000 years. Tea came to Europe only in 1517, that is, a little over 500 years ago. Agree, the experience of Europeans as consumers of tea is negligible.

The caravan delivering tea from China to Europe moved for 300 days! Three hundred, can you imagine? Almost a year! How can green tea be kept fresh in a year under conditions of variable heat and cold, high humidity and drought? No way. The conclusion suggests itself: the Europeans ultimately received a completely different tea, looking more like black than green.

That is why Europeans are accustomed to black tea. Because we learned about green tea recently when it became possible to transport it quickly, avoiding fermentation.

How to store green and black tea?

Both black and green tea are stored in a tightly closed container, away from sunlight and extraneous odors. The only difference is that green will say thank you for the cool room, but rather the freezer (of course, while it is in a vacuum package). Black is not so demanding on temperature - he has already passed his fermentation.

Shelf life of green tea, subject to the above rules - up to six months. Black can be stored for up to two years.

How to brew black and green tea?

Soft purified water is needed for any quality tea to make it tasty. Green tea can not be brewed with boiling water, the water temperature should be 60-80 degrees. The infusion time should not exceed 5 minutes - otherwise bitterness will appear in the taste and an excessive amount of caffeine will be released into the infusion.

Black tea does not put forward such strict requirements for water temperature, but it is better not to insist it for more than 5 minutes, so that it does not become too strong and astringent.

Types of raw materials for black and green tea

For the best varieties of green tea, such as Bi Lo Chun, the topmost leaves and small buds are selected - the youngest, freshest, most beautiful. True, there are exceptions - a special kind of tea bush Tai Ping Hou Kui has giant leaves, which does not prevent it from entering the top ten Chinese teas. One thing can definitely be said - the best green teaonly in spring. The sooner the better. The first crop is always the most valuable.

Black tea of elite quality is harvested both in spring and autumn, some varieties all year round. Raw materials are more mature and larger leaves, but small-leaved black tea, for example, some varieties of Jin Jun Mei, is also very much appreciated for its delicious aroma and noble taste. And, of course, the abundance of tea buds in black tea is always an indicator of high quality.

The impact of black and green tea on the mood and emotional state of a person.

Green tea brightly tones, gives a powerful tone and energy to the whole body, encourages action and physical activity, pleases, improves mood.

Black tea usually tones softer, it evens out the emotional state, relieves fatigue, directs thoughts in the right direction, pacifies and calms, encourages creativity, warms and balances.

Summary

Black and green tea are two completely different drinks from the same plant. They differ not only in taste and aroma, but also in healing properties, effects on the body and emotional state.

Do not give up black in favor of green or vice versa. For each time of day, for each mood, for each person - their tea.

Choose tea depending on your needs here and now, at this particular moment, alternate black and green, experiment - and you will discover the endless world of tea pleasures!

Drink good tea and be healthy and happy!

Enjoy your tea with i-tea.club!