by Siadra
The white tea vs green tea is a new debate among health enthusiast. And it’s worth analyzing what really makes these two tea leaves from the same parent plant so different. We started digging to find valuable information regarding the processing, benefits, contents, and taste of these two tea leaves. If you think drinking one or the other is the same, then you are wrong! By the end of the article, you will know the right tea to have your hands on!
The simplest way to know which tea leaves are white tea is to look at the color. White tea leaves are very delicate and minimally processed. As a result, it has fine white hairs around it that gives the whitish look. The tea leaves are handpicked from plants that just budded. What’s important is the minimal oxidization process that these leaves go through. Hence, the leaves have a different aroma and health benefits. It’s the lightest tea ever compared to other tea profiles like green and black tea.
You might be surprised to know that only 20% of the tea consumed in the world is green. That just speaks of the number of people who are health conscious. Good news is you are one of those people who care for their health. Proof- You are reading this article. Green tea is slightly more processed than white tea and the harvesting time is also different. Usually steaming, charcoal firing and sun drying methods are used to stop the oxidation process. And then rolled and dried.
It starts with harvesting tea leaves from the plant in early spring. Though there are differences in opinion regarding the harvesting time of white tea leaves, most of the research studies confirm this.
This is the reason white tea looks tender and tastes very mild. The tea leaves are then sun-dried or steamed without any fermentation involved. And it’s ready to consume.
But not as tender as white tea leaves. Manufacturers process green tea in different ways. The most common way is drying them in 5-10% sunlight. And then steaming and rolling. This adds a little fermentation but not as high as black tea. Winner: White tea. Because the processing time is pretty low!
If you believe the myth that white tea contains less caffeine than green tea, then you have been lied. Young tea bud contains more caffeine than matured tea leaves. Research studies confirm the fact that white tea is, in fact, rich in caffeine. So, it’s safe to say that if you don’t want too much caffeine consumption, it’s best to stick with green tea. Keep in mind that the temperature, climate and steeping time can also affect caffeine content in tea. Winner: Green tea. Because it has lower levels of caffeine
Catechins are enzymes derived from phenolics present in tea. This acts as an anti-oxidant that can reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. So, who has it more? Green tea or white tea? The growing hype of white tea and marketing tactics portray white tea having more catechins. But research shows that green tea has more phenolics than white tea. Phenolics in green tea can range from 759 to 2377 mg/l while in white tea it can range from 423 to 241 mg/l. And so the antioxidant effects of green tea are higher than white tea. There are also contradictory studies that found certain types of catechins to be more in white tea. Winner: Green tea. Because it has more antioxidant benefits.
Weight loss and drinking tea is a connection that has been talked about for years. But there’s no conclusive evidence that can support this connection. Both green tea and white tea are low in calories. So if you choose any one of them as an alternative to other milk or sugar-based drinks, you are effectively controlling your weight. It all comes down to individual preference. If you want to boost your energy level throughout the day, white tea is the better option. Winner: Both have low calories.
Tea The potential side effects of green tea and white tea are none. Except that both contain caffeine. So if you are caffeine sensitive, it’s best to avoid both. Both white tea and green tea are raw teas. So to avoid stomach issues, drink tea when you have eaten something. As an alternative, you can switch to caffeine free floral and herbal teas. Winner: White tea as it’s easier on the stomach.
The flavor profile of both white tea and green tea are quite similar. But certain differences make them unique.
The green tea flavor profile: |
The white tea flavor profile: |
| Vegetal | Floral |
| Seaweed-like | Honey |
| Earthy | Fruity |
| Buttery | Subtle |
| Fresh green | Delicate |
| Moldy | Sweet |
| Nutty | Grassy |
| Bitter | Mild |
| Sweet | Umami |
You can see the major difference that white tea has from green tea is that white tea is milder, delicate and has a sweeter taste. Winner: White tea. It has a sweeter and milder taste that’s just incomparable.
White tea and green tea both provide similar sort of benefits. We still manage to find out some unique benefits that you might not know yet.
Winner: Green tea. White tea research is still ongoing.
When it comes to tea, personal preference matters most. We discussed white tea and green tea in details earlier. Black tea is processed further, dried and crushed for consumption. Black tea is rich in caffeine, and that’s the reason most healthy diets avoid black tea. But it’s still the most popular drink in the western world because people crave for high activity level.
Top winner: Green tea. All these comparisons come down to one big question- drink white tea or green tea? If the taste and caffeine is your ultimate preference, we will keep white tea at the top. But analyzing the benefits and other features of both the tea, green tea is what you should drink every day. It’s cheaper and also easier to buy.