Difference between Green Tea and Black Tea

As stated earlier, both green and black teas are made from the leaves of the same tea bush. Whether these tea leaves end up green or black depends on how they are processed. Green tea is made from tea leaves that are ‘fixed’ (via steam or pan-firing at a hot temperature) immediately after being plucked. This process prevents the leaves from oxidizing (turning brown), ensuring they remain closest to their pre-plucked state Black tea, on the other hand, is made from leaves that are heavily oxidized. Because the enzymes within the leaves are allowed to fully oxidize the finished leaves appear dark and brownish in color. A high level of oxidation also converts the polyphenols in the tea (catechins) into oxidase compounds, most notably theaflavins and thearubigins. Theaflavins provide black tea with its briskness and sharp taste while thearubigins give body and impart a dark reddish-brown color typically associated with black teas.