Most people who’ve been brewing teas for longer than they can remember to know that the only difference between green, black, oolong and white tea is in how the leaves are processed. All these teas come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, so they belong to a single plant species.
Of course, there are environmental elements that contribute to how the tea will ultimately taste. The weather and the quality of the soil will always determine to some extent the taste of the tea, but the main difference remains the processing of the leaves.
The process by which tea leaves are produced is called oxidation or fermentation, and this is essentially what makes tea black, green or white. After the leaves are plucked from the plant, they go through several processing stages. They are initially dried or withered, then rolled and finally heat treated for a lesser or an extended time to obtain the various tea types.
Black Tea
Of all tea types, black tea is the most oxidized. It is a very popular tea, known for brewing an intense dark color, from reddish brown to dark brown, color intensity depending on the fermentation of the leaves. It is commonly believed that well fermented black tea brews reddish color, while poorly fermented black tea produces darker tones.
Green Tea
Compared to black tea, green tea has a much subtle taste, this due to the fact that the leaves have not undergone the same oxidation as black tea. Also, this is the type of tea that is closest to that plant’s natural color, and in addition the tea that retains most of the nutrients: green tea is rich in vitamin C, minerals and tannins, which is why many researchers render it as one of the healthiest beverages.
Oolong Tea
Semi-fermented, Oolong tea can be placed somewhere between black and green tea, its flavor boosting the complexity of black tea, yet at the same time retaining the fresh taste of green tea. It is another tea with incredible health benefits that include weight loss, reduced cholesterol levels, strong bones and healthy skin.
White Tea
Least fermented, white tea contains the lowest caffeine levels of all tea types, so it is recommended to people who have sensitivity towards tea with higher caffeine levels. It has a very subtle flavor that gets more pronounced after a while.
Best Times to Drink The Tea
Because they contain caffeine, the teas are best enjoyed at particular times and moments during the day, as is the case with black, green, white and oolong. People sensitive to caffeine should refrain from drinking any of these four teas in the evening.
Green tea is best taken in between meals or at least one hour after meals to rip the benefits of the antioxidants.
Black tea can substitute the morning coffee due to the higher caffeine content, but shouldn’t be taken on an empty stomach.
Oolong tea can be taken with meals, especially during weight loss programs as it will aid digestion and speed up metabolism.
White tea can be consumed several times a day in between meals, and it is highly recommended to green tea not only for caffeine-sensitive people but also for people who are seeking to add more antioxidants into their diet. White tea contains more antioxidants than green tea.