Nowadays people are searching for healthier varieties of tea instead of imbibing black tea with milk and lots of sugar, and thus choose other teas like Green tea and Oolong tea, etc. Without any doubt, tea is the most consumed beverage in the world except for water. Thus the question arises, Which tea is better? What are the health benefits of oolong tea v/s green tea?
For a long time, green tea has gained lots of popularity. People have become health conscious because of their bustling lifestyle, hence searching for an effective way to a healthy life. Thus, people have switched their regular tea with green tea. Jasmine tea is another popular favourite off late due to its numerous benefits and taste. Does Jasmine Tea have caffeine thought? Many studies have proved the efficiency of these teas in improving human health, which might be the reason for its gained popularity.
But recently in the race of popularity, there has been a new entry of the rising star in the tea world, which is the oolong tea. Oolong tea is a native Chinese tea that is semi-oxidized. Oolong tea is also called Wulong tea or black dragon tea. It falls between the category of green tea and black tea. The selection of teas isn’t limited due to the importance of its addition to improve gut health as well. You must check these great Wholesale Teas! It is found that oolong tea also has many health benefits just like green tea. It represents only 2% of the world’s tea.
Let’s find the answer to the above question:
Above all please understand, both green tea and oolong tea are cultivated from the same shrub – the Camellia sinensis plant. The difference is in their Processing methods.
Processing methods
Green tea: The traditional method of processing green tea involves – Plucking > Drying > Shaping > Final drying > Post-processing. Green tea is known as non fermented or unfermented tea, because of the preserved healthy and natural elements of tea.
Oolong tea: Processing of oolong tea involves- Harvesting > Withering > Bruising > Fixation > Rolling > Heating > Sorting and Packaging. The tea is to be processed as full-bodied tea, thus leaves of this tea should not be plucked too early, but should be done at the time when they reach the peak. Also, the processing of these leaves should be done immediately after plucking.
Taste
Green tea is less oxidized, thus has a unique flavor, once brewed it turns to pale green color. It has a grassy flavor and as it is less oxidized there are tannins present in it thus taste little bitter.
Oolong tea is semi-fermented and goes through a short time of oxidation, thus the flavor of this semi-fermented tea is stronger and darker. It also has a sweet and floral taste.
Comparison
Though, both the teas are very similar to each other, here are a few points to note down to understand the difference between Green tea and Oolong tea :
- Anti-oxidants: Green tea are first steamed and then fermented thus retains the useful polyphenols and is beneficial to the body. This tea is also considered to have many medicinal properties, its most known and revered quality is the stimulant effect. Oolong tea Just like green tea it also has polyphenols which act as an antioxidant in the body. Oolong tea is different from green and black tea in the respect that it is partially fermented and then dried. It contains anti-aging properties and aids in weight loss. Because of the process of oxidation, green tea has more antioxidants than oolong tea.
- Caffeine: Caffeine energizes the body, both the teas have almost a similar amount of caffeine. But as oolong tea is more oxidized and more water is removed during production, due to intense processing, oolong tea contains a bit more caffeine than green tea.
- Weight loss: Many people gain weight in no time and the most disturbing thing is losing weight. Drinking tea may help to do so. Various studies have stated that both – green and oolong tea are effective in losing weight. Polyphenols present in both the teas help in fat loss and also boosts metabolism. But recent studies have stated that oolong tea is twice more effective than green tea in weight loss. It is because oolong tea has a bit more amount of caffeine as compared to green tea, which increases the energy expenditure of the body.
- Health benefits: Green tea has more antioxidants than oolong tea, thus has more health benefits than oolong tea. Studies have proved that green tea has more benefits than any other type of tea.
Common health benefits of green and oolong tea:
- Promotes weight loss
- Reduces heart attack and strokes
- Protects bones
- Aids weight loss
- Maintains oral health.
Conclusion
It is very difficult to choose any one among both – Green tea and Oolong tea. Both the teas have their characteristics and importance which are almost similar. Choosing the best tea differs from person to person. If one wants to boost bone health and lower blood pressure one may choose oolong tea. On the other hand if one wants to reduce weight, prevent tooth decay, prevent neurological disorder may choose green tea.
