White, Green or Black: Which One is the Healthiest Tea?
Difference between White, green
& black tea
White, green and black teas come from
the same tea plant, ‘Camellia sinensis’. The main difference between the white
and green tea is that the white tea leaves are harvested at a younger age than
the green tea leaves.
White tea
White tea is rare and is usually more costly
than green tea, because white tea is minimally processed; it can only be handpicked
during early spring and has to be handled with care. White
tea is not oxidized, that means it retains the natural antioxidants,
however does not develop as much caffeine, flavor or color.
Green tea
Green tea has a nominal amount of oxidation. Compared to white
tea, green tea
involves slightly more processing such as steaming (Japanese) or pan frying
(Chinese teas). These further processing brings out additional flavor and
develops caffeine, at the cost of a cutback in antioxidants.
Black tea
Black tea is completely fermented, which
blackens the tea leaves and causes the formation of tannins and highest level
of caffeine, but the small amount of antioxidants.
Tastes
Green tea’s typical flavors are vegetal,
earthy & grassy. Unlike green tea,
white tea tastes sweet, smoother and gentler.
Processing
White tea is steamed quickly and then
dried, whereas green tea is partially fermented. First White tea is steamed,
fired and after that rolled, whereas Black tea is fully fermented.
Antioxidants
White tea has higher amount of antioxidants,
compared to green, as it is less processed. But both teas are rich in
antioxidants and have same types of antioxidants,
because they are treated gently and not excessively processed.
These antioxidants
gives us many health benefits such as, it enhances weight loss, boosts cardiovascular
health, reduces the risk of cancer and helps lower cholesterol.
Caffeine level
Caffeine present in green tea helps with
weight loss, because green tea
contains slightly more caffeine (around 20-24g) than white tea (around 12-15g)
and black tea contains around 40-45mg of caffeine.
Which Is Better?
Green tea is certainly a healthy addition to your diet. But,
white tea contains more antioxidants
and less caffeine, it would be an even healthier option. The anti-viral and
anti-bacterial effect of white tea (Stash and Templar brands) is greater than
that of green tea. The anti-viral and anti-bacterial effect of several
toothpastes including Aim, Aquafresh, Colgate, Crest and Orajel was enhanced by
the addition of white tea extract.
White tea has its own health benefits, but
they are not as abundant as those of green tea. In many studies comparing green
and white tea, green tea
has been shown to possess healthy properties that helps weight loss as well as reduces
cardiovascular risk, while white tea has those properties in less quantity
compare to green tea. Moreover green tea is easily available and cheaper to
buy.
Remember
When you buy white, green or black tea,
always choose organic because the tea plant absorbs fluoride from pesticides.
