Black tea and green tea are two of the most widely-consumed hot beverages on Earth. This infusion, made from steeping leaves in hot water, is especially popular in most Asian countries, the United Kingdom, and much of North Africa as a comforting beverage.
While everyone is familiar with the existence of these two “colors” of tea, what is it exactly that makes them different? Let’s dive into green and black teas and find out more!
Green Tea
Green tea is taken as leaves and buds from the tea plant that are not subjected to any sort of process after they are picked other than drying. There are many ways that green tea is dried, including sun-drying, steaming, baking at low temperatures, and charcoal firing.
This results in a tea that has a delicate, natural flavor and does not contain more than a little bit of bitterness. It certainly has a more neutral taste that especially shines when the quality of the tea leaves is high.
Black Tea
Black tea differs from green tea due to the fact that it undergoes an oxidation and withering process that alters its taste. First, after being picked, the leaves are placed in a room in which air is blown over the leaves, causing them to lose moisture.
Then, they are rolled and oxidized by staying in an oxygen-rich, moist room which causes them to acquire a more bitter and astringent taste and a black color. This is why the final product tastes so different!
