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.
Calculate your leaf ratio
Pick whichever you chose and get the grams for your vessel in seconds.