What's the difference between black and green tea?
Quick answer
They come from the same plant — the difference is oxidation. Green tea is barely oxidised, so it stays fresh, grassy, and low-to-medium in caffeine, and it wants cooler water. Black tea is fully oxidised, making it bold, malty, higher in caffeine, and forgiving of near-boiling water. Neither is "better"; they suit different moments.
| Black tea | Green tea | |
|---|---|---|
| Oxidation | Full | Minimal |
| Flavour | Malty, bold, cocoa | Fresh, grassy, sweet |
| Caffeine | High | Low–medium |
| Water temp | 95–100 °C | 75–80 °C |
| Forgiveness | Very forgiving | Less forgiving |
Which should a beginner start with?
It depends on what you want. For an easy, can't-go-wrong cup, start with black: hot water, a few minutes, done. For a lighter, more aromatic cup and to train a gentler hand, start with green — just commit to cooler water, which is the one skill it demands.
Common questions
Which has more caffeine, black or green? Black, on average — but how you brew (leaf, temperature, time) shifts the dose more than the colour does. See caffeine in tea.
Can you brew them the same way? No. Black takes near-boiling water; green wants 80 °C. Same steep logic, different temperature.
Read the full black tea and green tea profiles, or get the exact steeping times.