White Tea Vs. Green Tea

Both green tea and white tea are obtained from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. Tea could be the world's most renowned drink. Many cultures have designed ceremonies around it. Based on the maturity and processing of the leaf, one can create white tea, green tea or black tea.

It is primarily an unoxidized and uncured tea leaf, obtained from Camellia sinensis. This beverage is a Chinese specialty. It is made up of buds and young leaves, which have higher caffeine content than the older leaves. Some of its best varieties that are consumed 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. Few more varieties of this beverage are white peony, African white, life eyebrow, and tribute.

This is also obtained from the leaves of Camellia sinensis. However, the leaves are minimally processed to undergo negligible oxidization. Originating in the Orient, this tea has been associated with various cultures across Asia and Middle East.

Some of its best varieties are Longjing, Hu Ming, and Junshan Yinzhen; from Hunan province of China. Different herbal teas are closely related to this one.

The white variety is harvested at a very young age, when compared to the green. The green variety is fermented partly, while white does not undergo fermentation at all. Both are processed to the minimum amount.

Harvesting of the green version involves longer time than the white. White is made from immature buds, which are steamed rapidly or left out in the sun to dry. While the green one is steamed, fried and rolled. White is considered rare, as they can be only handpicked during a few days of early spring and has to be handled with care.

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

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. However, the caffeine content depends on the variety (i.e., method of steeping, cut, and length) of the leaves.

Also, usage and the quantity of water used, can also alter the caffeine content. The benefits of white tea are more than those of green tea.

Research suggests that the white tea retains approximately three times higher concentration of antioxidants than the green one. The reason for such a huge difference in the content of antioxidants could be the early plucked leaves, which is the characteristic of white tea. However, green tea has unnoticeable amounts of concentration of antioxidants.

Though the green variety has more antioxidants as compared to other herbal beverages, the amount of antioxidants is less as compared to the white one.

Starting off with viral and antibacterial properties, studies show that white tea edges ahead. Both the types have catechins (believed to improve health); however, white tea has more catechin. While, the benefits of the green variety range from lowering the risk of heart disease, cancer, bone density, cognitive function and so on, the fluoride content is lesser in white tea.

The supply depends on the demand and so does the market price. Considering that criterion, the white version is almost twice as expensive than the green one, as the leaves are plucked at an early age. Moreover, they are scarce and need to be treated in a delicate manner.

Both these varieties have their benefits and there are no side effects. The crux of the matter is that these two types are carving their own niche with regards to tea.