White Tea Vs. Green Tea

Are you a tea enthusiast? If you are and on top of it you are a health freak, then I am certain that in the recent past you must have come across the mention of green tea. Green Tea is fast becoming popular amongst people all over the world as a healthy option when it comes to tea. In addition to that, nowadays the new 'tea' on the block is the white tea. This is also considered to be good for health. Although these two types are derived from the same plant, there is a distinction between white tea and green tea. But before we get into the debate of white tea versus green tea, a brief elucidation of what these two are all about.

White Tea and Green Tea
White Tea: White Tea is primarily an unoxidized and uncured tea leaf, obtained from Camellia Sinensis. A specialty of the Chinese, white tea has buds and young leaves, which have higher caffeine content as compared to older leaves. Some of the best varieties of white tea in China are Bai hao Yinzhen or Silver Needle, Bai Mu Dan and a few others. Other top-notch Asian varieties are Darjeeling White from India and Ceylon White from Sri Lanka.

Green Tea: Only made from leaves of Camellia Sinensis, green tea is minimally processed and the tea goes through negligible oxidization during processing. This tea, again originating in the orient, has been associated with various culture across Asia, to the Middle East. Some of the best green teas are Longjing, Hu Ming, and Junshan Yinzhen, from Hunan province of China. Closely related to the green tea, are the different herbal teas.

Now we know that these two are from the same plant and the same geographical area. Here is more on white tea vs green tea.

Difference Between White Tea and Green Tea
Harvesting and Processing: White tea leaves are harvested at a very young age as compared to green tea. While green tea is fermented partly, white tea does not undergo fermentation at all. Both are processed to the minimum amount possible. Harvesting of green tea involves a longer time than harvesting of white tea, which is in early spring and within a short period of maximum two weeks.

Flavor: Green tea has a more grassy aftertaste, which everyone may not like. On the contrary, white tea has a subtle sweet flavor and is smooth. White tea, after it is brewed has been described to look similar to white wine, of a pale gold color.

Caffeine: Now we come to the important part - the caffeine content. Caffeine content in green tea is not alarming as compared to white tea. If say white tea has 15 mg caffeine per serving, green tea has 20 mg per serving. But all said and done, caffeine content depends upon the variety, method of steeping and cut and length of the leaves. Normal green tea, interestingly has more caffeine than, although the usage and its mixture with water can alter the caffeine content. So in case of caffeine contents, white tea benefits are more than green tea.

Antioxidants: According to several scientific studies and experiments, white tea retains higher concentration of antioxidants, than green tea. This concentration is supposedly three times higher in white tea as compared to green tea. The reason for such a huge variation in white tea and green tea antioxidants content could be the young leaves which are the characteristic of white tea. But this does not render that green tea has unnoticeable amounts of concentration of antioxidants. Green tea also is good when it comes to antioxidants.

Health Benefits: Health benefits of white tea versus green tea is a closely fought match. Starting off with viral and anti bacterial properties, studies show that white tea edges ahead in anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties in comparison with green tea. Both the types have catechins, though white tea can have more catechin content, believed to improve health. While green tea benefits range from keeping away risks of heart disease and many other things like cancer to bone density and cognitive function and so on, the fluoride content is less in white tea.

Price: As the demand and supply rule goes, the supply will be depend on the demand and so will the market price. Considering that criteria, green tea is almost twice as less expensive than white tea, because it is plucked from special bushes. Moreover, they are scarce and need to be treated in a delicate manner.

That was the tie-breaker of white tea vs green tea contest. Both have their benefits and I can safely say that there are absolutely no side effects. The crux of the matter is that these two types of teas are carving their own niche with regards to tea.

So what are you waiting for? Bring in the brew and be a 'tea totaler!'