Are you comparing black tea vs green tea and looking to know more about what makes these iconic styles unique?

In this article, we’ll be getting to know what defines these two tea styles and sharing what makes for the best green tea and black tea in the world.

Here’s a big question:
is black or green tea
better for you?

The question might seem simple, but it’s hiding a more important point. 

When it comes to health benefits and flavor, there’s far too much hype out there working to create anxiety about making the right choice. There’s not nearly enough consideration about where and how these teas are grown.

Let’s take a look at the big picture. Both green tea and black tea can be sweet, beautiful, healthy and aromatic, but only when craft, agriculture and sourcing are done right.

Differences Between Green Tea and Black Tea (and Similarities)

A tea’s quality is defined by the environment where it grows and the craft of the producer. While a region making green tea can also make black tea, in the real world, regions tend to specialize. Much of the flavor we associate with green tea vs black tea comes from the specific regions where these teas are most popular.

In China, for example, these regions are famous for producing certain types of tea:

Green Tea:

• • Shi Feng, Dragonwell

• • Laoshan Green Tea

Black Tea:

• • Yunnan Black Tea

• • Wuyishan Black Tea

The difference between green tea and black tea is all about processing. You can taste the same tea leaves picked on the same day by the same family but try one green tea and one black tea. A good example of this is the He Family in Laoshan that produces Laoshan Green and Laoshan Black every year. So how is green tea made compared to black tea?

• • Green tea is heat-fixed after a short withering step to prevent oxidation

• • Black tea is allowed to oxidize fully in higher heat and moisture conditions before heat-fixing

• • Black tea is often fired after heat fixing for a more roasted quality while green tea is dried using much lower heat to preserve its delicate aroma.

The great thing about fine tea is that all the hard work is done in the fields and in the workshop. Brewing green tea and black tea is flexible, and your tea should taste good no matter what.

The biggest difference between green tea and black tea brewing? Green tea is usually infused at a lower temperature to protect its sweet delicate qualities, and black tea is usually brewed with water at full boil for big flavor. There is no hard and fast rule, but if you want to explore all the options, we’ve got a full brewing guide here.

One of our favorite techniques is the simple “leaves in water challenge.” Any good tea should taste great simply by adding leaves to a mug and topping it off with boiling water throughout the day.

Distinctive craft and growing regions means that green tea vs black tea taste very different from each other. You can spot the difference at a glance, and confirm your guess from the aroma alone. No matter the growing region or precise finishing style, all green tea and black tea can be distinguished by some easy “tells”:

• • Green tea leaves are green in color. Black tea is dark red-brown in color. The only ‘trick’ is if you look at very old green tea, it can be closer to black as it oxidizes over time. 

• • Green tea smells vegetal, while black tea smells sweet and malty. Any green tea should have a ‘fresh’ smell like sweet grass, and herbaceous complexity. Black tea smells more chocolatey and dark.

• • What does black tea taste like? Black tea should be malty sweet and rich, with a reddish color. Green tea should be aromatic and vegetal with a light green color.

Does Green Tea or Black Tea Have More Caffeine?

It turns out that caffeine depends on a lot more than finishing style. Caffeine is going to be tied to how fresh the tea is, when it was picked, and exactly how you brew it.

Looking for non caffeinated green tea or black tea options? Learn about tisanes made using tea finishing techniques.

Benefits of Black Tea vs Green Tea

But what’s the healthiest tea? The one you like to drink the most!

Any tiny differences in benefits are outweighed by the fact that you have found a tea you want to drink more often.

The difference between green tea and black tea is all about processing. You can taste the same tea leaves picked on the same day by the same family but try one green tea and one black tea. A good example of this is the He Family in Laoshan that produces Laoshan Green and Laoshan Black every year. So how is green tea made compared to black tea?

• • Black tea has a longer shelf life than green tea. Black tea stays flavorful for several years while green tea fades much faster.

• • Black tea flavor stands up to milk. Black tea is the most popular base for spiced chai and milk tea thanks to its robust flavor.

• • Black tea is easier to brew. Because they are less delicate, black tea leaves are harder to oversteep.

Is green tea healthier than black tea? It all depends on whether it is fresher, grown more responsibly, and made from more tender leaves and buds. Green tea is all about fresh seasonal harvests- the excitement around fresh harvests feels like a festival every year in China. What’s the big deal?

• • Green tea is heat-fixed after a short withering step to prevent oxidation

• • Black tea is allowed to oxidize fully in higher heat and moisture conditions before heat-fixing

• • Black tea is often fired after heat fixing for a more roasted quality while green tea is dried using much lower heat to preserve its delicate aroma.

Shop High Quality, Responsibly Sourced Black and Green Teas from Verdant Tea