How does green tea differ from black tea: useful properties, features of collection and processing, brewing methods

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

What a variety of teas there are in the world! White tea, yellow, red, green, turquoise, black - a real rainbow! Another popular drink was less fortunate. There are only two varieties of coffee: Arabica and Robusta. But they are different types of plants. Tea, no matter what color it is, comes from one bush - Camellia sinensis. African rooibos (a plant from the legume family) and Latin American soursop ("soursop") do not count, as well as hibiscus. This is not tea, although steamed drinks taste like tea. Let's get back to the classic Camellia sinensis and its color variety. How can different products be obtained from the same leaf? What is the difference between green, white, yellow teas, as well as black and red with blue? Our article is devoted to this issue.

Subtleties of collecting and processing tea

Have you ever seen a bitten apple? The flesh is white at first. But over time, the cut surface darkens, becomes as if rusty. Oxidation occurs from the contact of the apple pulp with air. Similarprocesses occur with the tea leaf. In the language of a specialist, it is fermented. And the main difference between green and black tea is precisely the degree of drying in the sun. The white variety is not actually fermented. Yellow - quite a bit. Green tea is left in the sun only until the leaves look wilted. After that, they are subjected to heat treatment. High temperatures blunt the enzymes, causing the tea to stop oxidizing. But the black variety is dried in the sun the longest. Enzymes in it worked for glory. Thanks to them, black tea has a tart taste so beloved by many. But not only the degree of fermentation differs in the leaves of Camellia sinensis.

Harvesting

We have already explained the difference between green tea and black tea. What is the difference between non-fermented varieties? These include white, yellow and green teas. They differ in the way they are collected. White tea is the most expensive. For him, only half-blown upper leaves and buds are selected. A characteristic feature of high-quality white tea is the villi that cover the young leaf. Fermentation is stopped by drying in a special temperature regime in order to save valuable essential oils. Tea looks like a grayish-green scattering of leaves. The brewed drink has a pale yellow color with a subtle pinkish tint. Previously, only the emperor and the highest nobility had the right to eat white tea. This drink has a cooling effect on the body, so it is customary to drink it in the heat. But black tea, on the contrary, warms.

Storage

The less time the leaves are fermented, the more demanding they are on the conditions of transportation. The method of storage is another difference between green tea and black tea. Be especially careful with White Peony (Bai Mu Dan). In appearance, this tea resembles white flower buds, but in fact, these are unblown leaves. This variety is grown only in the Fujian province of China. Half-opened buds are dried immediately. So the fermentation process didn't even start. So that tea does not deteriorate, it is stored in hermetic packaging, away from any dampness. Its black counterpart is more tempered. Of course, he also does not like excessive dampness. But it does not absorb other foreign odors, retaining its aroma.

Color

Yellow tea tastes like no other. It cannot be confused with either white or green. The raw materials for yellow tea are dense buds. First, they are heated over coals so that the white fibers burn out, and then they are wrapped hot in parchment. This is how the tea turns yellow. When brewed, a pale amber drink is obtained. Only a person who does not distinguish colors needs to be explained how green tea differs from black. The dark red infusion is very different from the light green-straw drink. But to distinguish yellow tea from green, you need to look at its reflection on the wall of a porcelain cup. The precious drink casts a slightly pinkish glow. And green tea is distinguished by a light green-straw rim. Yellow tea has a soft, caressing taste with a subtle astringency. His fragranceamazingly sophisticated. The aftertaste is slightly sweet. Until the middle of the nineteenth century, yellow tea was forbidden to be exported under threat of execution. Even now this variety is very difficult to obtain in Europe.

Country of origin

The relative unpretentiousness of the Camellia sinensis species allowed its cultivation to spread far beyond the borders of its historical homeland - China. Now the tea bush is grown in the tropics (India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia), and in the northern regions (in the Transcaucasus and even in the Kuban). But in the new homeland, Camellia sinensis acquires unexpected taste and aromatic qualities. To eliminate them, the sheet is subjected to a longer processing. Therefore, we can name another marker that allows you to determine how green tea differs from black. Unfermented varieties are produced in China and Japan. It is very rare to find quality green tea in India. But in a tropical climate, the leaves gain a lot of aromatic resins in a hot climate. This flavor is what connoisseurs love about black tea. But the Chinese prefer unfermented varieties.

Brewing Method

Want to know the difference between green tea and black tea? A leaf hardened by long processing does not so easily give the drink its taste and aromatic qualities. To remove them, you need to pour black tea leaves with boiling water. And then also steam in heat for five minutes. Only after that we will get a tart and fragrant drink. Green tea is too gentle for such harsh treatment. If abrew it with boiling water, all the aroma will evaporate from it, and at the exit you will get a boring smell of hay. Green tea should be steamed simply with hot (sixty degrees) water. After two minutes, gourmets are advised to pour a little tea leaves into a cup, and then pour it back into the teapot. Reviews claim that after such a simple procedure, the drink acquires a special flavor.

What is the main difference between black tea and green tea

We clarified this issue only in general. It's time to tell in more detail how black tea is produced. We will do this using the example of the legendary Chinese variety Puer. This tea can be stored for years. Moreover, like a good wine, it gets even better with time. When a girl is born in a Chinese family, parents begin to store a tile of pu-erh in order to sell it by the age of the bride and provide her daughter with a dowry. This variety is made in Yunnan province. Under the southern sun, the leaf acquires a special aroma and taste. So, we already know how green tea differs from black - the degree of fermentation. Pu-erh goes through all stages of processing. What?

Black tea production

Leaves are raked into a heap and sprinkled with water so that they remain fresh as long as possible, but at the same time wither. When the tea has absorbed additional moisture, it is leveled in a thin layer and left to ferment. After a month, the leaves turn brown, but do not lose their gloss. They are again raked into a heap and kept for another forty-five days, from time to time turning and turning. After this periodtea has a special aroma. After that, the leaves are again laid out in the sun, dried, in some cases crushed and sorted. But Chinese Pu-erh, unlike other black teas, is not packaged at this stage. The leaves are twisted in a special way, which changes their structure. The key feature of the product is the subsequent fermentation, which lasts for several years. Over the years, all the bitterness leaves the leaves. Twenty years later, an elite drink with an unsurpassed taste is obtained. But the price of such tea reaches several thousand dollars per hundred grams. This variety is usually stored in pressed tiles, on which various patterns and good luck wishes are engraved.

Taste

It is enough to take a sip of both drinks to understand the difference between green tea and black tea. Of course, taste! Green teas are very gentle. They have a light herbal flavor that pairs well with jasmine flowers. In order not to extinguish it, green teas are very responsibly added to the mixture. Black tea has a characteristic balsamic flavor. Astringency is his calling card. However, in some varieties it may be barely audible. The aroma of black tea is more resinous. It may have a pronounced floral scent. In general, red, turquoise and black varieties that have undergone medium or full fermentation are very characteristic. Their taste and aroma are memorable. And green - "elusive". They are difficult to describe. Black teas work well in blends. They get along well with citrus fruits, flowers, berries andherbs.

Effect on the body

We have already explained how green tea tastes different from black tea. But even in terms of the effect on our body, non-fermented and processed varieties differ radically. The tea leaf contains tannins and caffeine. The first substances give the drink bitterness. And caffeine, of course, awakens. But he invigorates in a special way. By the way, there is much more of this substance in the tea leaf than in the notorious coffee, which is traditionally considered a morning drink. Fermentation allows the tannins to emerge. But the level of caffeine at the same time decreases. Green teas (white, yellow, partially turquoise oolong) invigorate imperceptibly, but have a lasting effect. Coffee, on the other hand, first activates the work of the brain, but very soon it is replaced by the phase of inhibition. A cup of green tea will give you energy for the whole day. But his black counterpart, on the contrary, calms the central nervous system. This tea is good to drink at night. Especially when mixed with herbs that have sedative properties.

Tea benefits: green and black tea

In China, at the beginning of our era, this drink was called the elixir of immortality. It is believed that the most useful is white tea. After all, these are, in fact, fresh leaves in which vitamins (B1, C, P) have been preserved. Scientists have proven the anti-cancer properties of white tea. It strengthens the walls of blood vessels, the immune and cardiovascular systems. All varieties of non-fermented teas have a rejuvenating effect, because they remove free radicals from the body. If regularlydrink this drink, you can ensure the prevention of atherosclerosis. The most important feature of green tea is its ability to remove radioactive substances from the body, especially dangerous strontium. But at the same time, this drink has a number of contraindications. You need to know the difference between green tea and black tea. And his harm, by the way, is not a myth at all. Since this drink is too invigorating, it should be avoided by people suffering from insomnia. It is also contraindicated in ulcers, as it can provoke heartburn. Black tea is good for hypotensive patients as it increases blood pressure.