The Difference Between Green and Black Tea

Whether you’re drinking green tea or black tea, you have access to a bevy of health benefits. In fact, green tea and black tea come from the same plant, camellia sinensis. You may be wondering, “What’s the difference between green and black tea?” Luckily, there’s a simple explanation as to what makes these two types of tea so similar, yet so unique.

Black Tea

The differences between the two teas begin with the harvesting process. After harvesting the camellia sinensis leaves, allowing them to ferment and oxidize will produce black tea. At this stage in the process, both green and black tea require withering, but black tea must undergo crushing, tearing, and rolling before being exposed to air. This oxidation process is where black tea gets its bold color, as well as its equally bold flavor and aroma.

Green Tea

Black tea requires oxidation before drying, but green tea does not. After withering, the leaves must undergo a specific process to produce green tea. Teamakers steam or pan-fire the leaves after withering to combat the oxidation process. Because oxidation doesn’t take place, the tea retains its light color and the light, fresh flavor that green tea fans know and love.

As you can see, the difference between green and black tea is quite small. However, those small changes during production create the unique colors, flavors, and aromas that set green and black tea apart. At the end of the day, whichever tea you choose, you’re in for a delicious time that will yield wonderful health benefits. At Fusion Teas, we have a wide variety of tea for you to choose from, including loose leaf black tea, such as orange creamsicle or premium earl grey. Once you find the right tea for you, you’ll understand why tea has been such a beloved drink for many generations.