Are you having a hard day at work? Are your kids driving you nuts? Or is the stress of exams taking a toll on your health?
Well, there is no need to freak out. If you are a true tea lover, you are all good to go!
Now, you must be wondering which is the best true tea for you. Is it oolong tea or green tea? Which one is healthier? And which one has more benefits?
We know the struggle is real!
And at the moment you are stuck between oolong tea vs green tea.
The truth is it is no big deal. So let us crack this puzzle together. And find out what the buzz is all about.
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Oolong Tea Vs Green Tea: What Is What?
When you hear the word “China” what does it remind you of?
The Great Wall. Panda. Chinese tea.
Yes, you are right!
But in this blog, we will stick around the famous Chinese tea. And we will dig deep into the oolong and green tea.
So are you ready to discover its health benefits, nutritional value, and processing?
Let’s get started!
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What Is Oolong Tea?
Do you know what the word “oolong” means?
Yes, it is a Chinese word. And it means Black Dragon.
As the name suggests it is a traditional Chinese tea. And its leaves are black, long, and curled like a dragon.
And Oolong tea is manufactured from the Camellia sinensis plant. Moreover, green and black tea are also manufactured from the same plant. The key difference is in the processing of the tea.
The process is simple. First, the leaves dry up under the hot sun. And then twisted into the desired shape: small beads, curly spindles, or long threads. This is oxidation.
It might sound like a trivial process. But do you know that the tea’s aroma, flavor, and strength depend upon this process? This is what makes it different from green and black tea.
Sounds amazing!
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Origins Of Oolong Tea
As stated earlier it has roots in China. And it is one of the most popular teas across China. Yet, different theories revolve around its origin.
But the oolong tea rose to prominence during the Qing dynasty. And served in special pots called Yixing teapots. The purpose of serving in special pots was to prevent cross-contamination. Thus, it was an incredible way of keeping the distinct flavor and aroma intact.
Moreover, it became a hot favorite beverage amongst the officials, scholars, and monks.
Thanks to oolong tea’s unique taste and fine flavor!
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What Is Green Tea?
Without an iota of doubt green tea is one of the world’s most popular teas. It has created a buzz from China to Japan to the United States and South America. And it is here to stay!
Well at this moment your mind is boggling with all kinds of questions. Why is this tea so popular? Why has it taken the world by storm?
The drill is simple. If you come across a fitness freak, beauty lover or workaholic ask them a question. What is the first thing they do in the morning?
They drink green tea.
And it is no surprise. Its endless health benefits make it top the charts worldwide. No doubt it is the least processed tea loaded with antioxidants and polyphenols.
So if you are looking for something to kickstart your day, green tea is the best.
Origins Of Green Tea
Whenever you walk through a store and hold a product. What is the first thing you notice?
Made in China.
Likewise, our all-time favorite green tea also hails from China. The Chinese emperor, Shennong, discovered it in 2737 BCE. At that time it was very expensive to buy and only the elites had the privilege to enjoy it. But in the 14th century, it was accessible to all.
Thus everyone had a chance to enjoy its wonderful aroma and taste.
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Difference Between Oolong Tea And Green tea
Until now, it was a brief introduction to oolong and green tea. Now it is time for the real talk: oolong tea vs green tea.
Let us jump to the following key differences:
- Oolong tea is partially fermented while green tea is not
- Oolong tea is sweet while green tea is grassy and bitter
- Oolong tea is light brown whereas green tea has a bright green color
- Oolong leaves take weeks for drying while green leaves immediately dry after harvesting
- Oolong tea has diverse flavors and aromas while green tea has a vegetal undertone.
Caffeine Content In Oolong Tea And Green tea
| Tea type | Caffeine amount | Caffeine strength | Calories |
| Oolong tea | 37mg | Low | Zero |
| Green tea | 18mg | Low | Zero |
Oolong Tea vs Green tea: Which One Is Better?
Health Benefits Of Oolong Tea
The truth is owing to the plethora of health benefits of oolong tea it is making waves across the globe. So let us take a review the following health benefits of Oolong tea:
- It helps in weight loss
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improves sleeping patterns
- Increases metabolic rate
- Improves gut microbiome
- Improves bone mineral density
- Prevents neurodegenerative diseases
- Reduces tooth decay and dental plaque
Health benefits of green tea
- Reduces cancer risk
- Improves skin health
- Fight allergies
- Burns fat and reduces weight
- Boosts immunity
- Controls the blood sugar levels
- Anti-aging properties
Oolong vs Green tea: Tastes Buds And Processing
Are you an avid oolong tea lover? Do you know how it is processed?
If you want to learn more about it so read below the following points:
- Harvest the oolong tea when tea buds grow half the size of a grown leaf
- For moisture, removal dry the leaves under the hot sun
- Bruising includes further removal of moisture and grassiness from the leaves. Place the leaves in the basket and exert pressure through your hand. And then spread out the leaves.
- Rolling of leaves into the desired shape
- Heating of oolong tea at low temperature for a prolonged time
- The final step is the removal of the substandard leaves and packaging of the refined ones.
Moreover, the oxidation level changes the flavor of the oolong tea. It can have the following flavor profile:
- Fruity and sweet
- Woodsy flavor
- Roasted scent
- A nutty or earthy scent
Since green tea leaves skip the oxidation step. But they go through the following processing steps:
- Gathering of the green tea leaves
- The withering of leaves to reduce the moisture content
- For drying, they are pan-fried or steamed at high temperatures
- The final step includes the rolling of the leaves into different shapes (long twigs or pearls).
Last but not least green tea has the following tastes:
- Grassy
- Vegetal
- Nutty
- Herbaceous
The Side Effect Of Oolong And Green Tea
There is no denying the fact that oolong tea has a plethora of health benefits. However, one needs to be careful of the following side effects:
- Rapid heartbeat
- Insomnia
- Headaches and tremors
- Abdominal pain
- Nervousness
- Palpitations
- Increased urination
- Nausea and vomiting
It is an admitted fact that green tea has amazing medicinal benefits. But if you are sensitive or allergic to caffeine so you must be aware of its following side effects:
- Abdominal problems
- Frequent headaches
- Vomiting
- Anemia and iron deficiency
- Irregular heartbeat
- Liver diseases
- Dizziness
- Bleeding disorders
So when it comes to oolong tea vs green tea the benefits are endless. However, too much consumption of anything can take you down the hill. Hence, be mindful of the above-mentioned side effects of oolong and green tea.
Final words
In a nutshell, if you are looking for a power-packed hot beverage, oolong, and green tea are all good to go. Both are unique and special in their way. However, oolong tea wins the race as it is loaded with more antioxidants compared to green tea. And it alleviates stress, anxiety, and sleeping disorders in amazing ways. Thus, according to one’s taste and mood, both the tea have a winning spot.
So, are you still juggling between oolong tea vs green tea?
Here is the catch!
Both rock. Hence, it is a win-win situation.
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