What a variety of teas exist in the world! White tea, yellow, red, green, turquoise, black - a real rainbow! Another popular drink was less fortunate. Coffee has only two varieties: 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 sausep ("sour cream") do not count, as well as hibiscus. This is not tea, although the taste of steamed drinks resembles it. Let us return to the classic look of Camellia sinensis and its color variety. How can different products be obtained from the same sheet? What is the difference between green, white, yellow teas, as well as black and red with blue? This article is devoted to our article.
The subtleties of the collection and processing of tea
Have you ever seen a bitten apple? The pulp is first white. But over time, the surface of the cut darkens, it becomes as if rusty. There is oxidation from the contact of the pulp of the apple with air. Similar processes occur with tea leaf. In the language of a specialist, he is fermented. And the main difference between green and black tea is precisely the degree of withering in the sun. The white variety is not actually fermented. Yellow - just a little 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, making the tea no longer oxidize. But the black variety has been dragging in the sun for the longest time. The enzymes in it worked wonderfully well. Thanks to them, black tea has a tart taste so beloved by many. But not only the degree of fermentation are different leaves of Camellia sinensis.
Harvesting
We have already explained how green tea differs from black tea. What is the difference between unfermented varieties? These include white, yellow and green teas. They differ in the method of collection. White tea is the most expensive. Only half-opened upper leaves and buds are selected for him. A characteristic feature of high-quality white tea is the villi with which the young leaf is covered. Fermentation is stopped by drying in a special temperature mode in order to preserve 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 to the conditions of transportation. Storage method - this is how green tea differs from black tea. Particular care should be taken with the variety White Peony (Bai Mu Dan). In appearance, this tea resembles buds of white flowers, but in fact it is unblown leaves. This variety is grown only in Fujian Province of China. Half-opened kidneys are immediately dried. So the fermentation process has not even begun. So that tea does not deteriorate, it is stored in hermetic packaging, away from all moisture. His black brother is more seasoned. Of course, he also does not like excessive dampness. But it does not absorb other odors, while retaining its aroma.
Color
Yellow tea tastes like no other. It is impossible to confuse it with either white or green. The raw materials for yellow tea are dense kidneys. First they are heated over the coals so that the white fibers are burned, and then they are wrapped hot in parchment. So the tea turns yellow. When brewing, a pale amber drink is obtained. Only a person who does not distinguish between colors needs to be explained how green tea differs from black. Dark red infusion is very different from a light green straw drink. But to distinguish yellow tea from green tea, you need to look at its reflection on the wall of a porcelain cup. Precious drink throws a slightly pinkish glow. And green tea has a lime-straw rim. Yellow tea has a soft, caressing taste with subtle astringency. Its aroma is surprisingly refined. The finish is slightly sweet. Until the mid-nineteenth century, yellow tea was forbidden to be exported under threat of execution. And 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 extend 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 Caucasus and even the Kuban). But in the new homeland, Camellia sinensis acquires unexpected taste and aromatic qualities. To eliminate them, the sheet is subjected to longer processing. Therefore, we can call another marker that allows you to determine how green tea differs from black. Non-fermented varieties are produced in China and Japan. It is very rare in India to find quality green tea. But in a tropical climate, the leaves gain a lot of aromatic resins in a sultry climate. For this aftertaste and connoisseurs love black tea. But the Chinese prefer unfermented varieties.
Brewing method
Want to know how green tea differs from black tea? Hardened by a long processing sheet is not so easy to give the drink its taste and aromatic qualities. To remove them, you need to pour over black tea leaves with boiling water. And then steam for five minutes in the heat. Only after that we will get a tart and fragrant drink. Green tea is too tender for such harsh treatment. If you brew it with boiling water, all the aroma from it will disappear, and at the exit you will get a boring smell of hay. Steaming green tea should be just hot (sixty degrees) water. After two minutes, gourmets are advised to pour a little tea leaves in a cup, and then pour it back into the teapot. Reviews claim that after such a simple procedure, the drink acquires a special aroma.
What is the main difference between black tea and green
We clarified this question only in general. It's time to tell in more detail how black tea is made. We will do this using the example of the legendary Chinese Puer variety. This tea can be stored for years. Moreover, he, like a good wine, becomes even better with time. When a girl is born in a Chinese family, parents begin to store a puer tile in order to sell it to the bride's maturity and provide her daughter with a dowry. They make this variety in Yunnan. Under the southern sun, the leaf acquires a special aroma and taste. So, we already know how green tea differs from black tea in the degree of fermentation. Puer goes through all stages of processing. What kind?
Black tea production
Leaves are raked into a heap and sprayed with water so that they stay fresh as long as possible, but at the same time dry out. When the tea has absorbed additional moisture, it is leveled with a thin layer and left to ferment. After a month, the leaves become brown, but they do not lose their gloss. They are again raked in a heap and held for another forty-five days, from time to time turning and turning. After this period, the tea has a special aroma. Then the leaves are again laid out in the sun, dried, in some cases crushed and sorted. But the Chinese Puer, unlike other black teas, is not packaged at this stage. The leaves are twisted in a special way, which is why their structure changes. A key feature of the product is subsequent fermentation, which lasts 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. It is customary to store this variety in pressed tiles, on which various drawings and wishes of good luck are engraved.
Taste
It is enough to take a sip of both drinks to understand how green tea differs from black tea. Of course, taste! Green teas are very tender. They have a light herbal flavor that goes 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. Tartness is his calling card. However, in some varieties it can be barely audible. The aroma of black tea is more resinous. It may have a pronounced floral smell. In general, red, turquoise and black varieties that have undergone medium or full fermentation are very characteristic. Their taste and aroma are remembered. And the green ones are "elusive." They are hard to describe. Black teas get along well in blends. They get along well with citrus fruits, flowers, berries and herbs.
Effects on the body
We have already explained how the taste of green tea differs from the taste of black tea. But even according to the effect on our bodies, non-fermented varieties that have undergone the entire processing process differ radically. Tea leaf contains tannins and caffeine. The first substances give the drink a bitterness. And caffeine, of course, awakens. But he invigorates in a special way. By the way, this substance is much more in the tea leaf than in the notorious coffee, which is traditionally considered the morning drink. Fermentation allows tannins to appear. But caffeine levels are reduced. Green teas (white, yellow, partially turquoise oolong) invigorate invisibly, but have a lasting effect. Coffee first activates the brain, but very soon it is replaced by a phase of inhibition. A cup of green tea will give you energy for the whole day. But his black brother, on the contrary, calms the central nervous system. This tea is good to drink at night. Especially in a mixture with herbs that have a sedative property.
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 white tea is the most beneficial. After all, these are, in fact, fresh leaves in which vitamins have been preserved (B1, C, P). 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 unfermented teas have a rejuvenating effect, because they remove free radicals from the body. If you regularly drink this drink, you can provide 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 how green tea differs from 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 hypotension because it raises blood pressure.