Black Tea Vs. Green Tea
Black Tea Vs. Green Tea
The main difference between black tea and green tea is that green tea contains catechin, as the main type of polyphenols, while in black tea these are converted to theaflavin and thearubigins. This might just sound Greek to you but the good news is, regardless of what compounds dominate each of these brews – all other components are similar in both teas, and what’s best? Both brews are similarly beneficial to your mental and physical well-being!
The absence of awareness that black and green tea contain similar benefits is due to the amount of research studies on green tea being far greater than that of black tea. The reason being, most of the research studies on tea have been carried out in Japan and China, which produce green tea. Green tea has been used for these studies resulting in a greater number of publications on the beneficial effects of green tea, than the number of publications on the beneficial effects of black tea. The general perception therefore, is that green tea has better health than black tea for human health. However, relatively recently, a large amount of research studies have been carried out on the health benefits of both black and green tea in non-tea producing countries. The results of these studies indicate that both black and green tea have similar health benefits.
What Differentiates the Teas?
Apart from its taste, black tea is a brew to which you can add milk, while that’s not advisable with Green Tea. What makes these teas significantly different in taste, texture and strength is their manufacturing style; At Dilmah, Green Tea is unfermented, maintaining a generally mild and light and sometimes astringent characteristics; the leaf is picked, withered, heated and then rolled before drying and sifting. On the other hand, black teas are fully fermented; first handpicked, withered to reduce moisture and made pliable, then rolled, fermented and dried before sifting.
The Health Benefits of Black and Green Tea
Scientific research confirms what Asians have believed for centuries – that green and black tea contain powerful natural antioxidants which can protect regular tea drinkers from many degenerative diseases. The main degenerative diseases of concern today are heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, cancer and diabetes. Studies have shown that the antioxidant activity of flavonoids in green and black tea reduces the risk of many degenerative diseases and helps maintain good oral health. In better news, Tea Polyphenols and Theanine can enhance immunity by enhancing the body’s immune response. So, it’s not a matter of which tea is better – it’s a matter of which of the teas you prefer, because regardless, regular consumption of either can benefit your body., but the fresher your tea is, the higher the number of antioxidants. Dilmah ensures antioxidant goodness because all our teas, whether it’s our Premium Ceylon Black Tea or Ceylon Green Teas are packed where it is grown.
How to Brew Black and Green Tea?
For Dilmah Black tea, use boiling water and steep the tea for 3-5 Minutes (5min for a strong cup). For Dilmah Green tea, use water slightly cooler than boiling water, and steep the tea for not more than 2 minutes.