Benefits Of White Tea Vs Green Tea/There has been a great deal of debate about white tea vs green tea, and while both are undeniably good for you, there are some differences between the two that stand out.
White Tea vs Green Tea
Origin
- Family: Both white tea and green tea come from the same plant, which is Camellia sinensis. This is one of the connecting factors between these two tea varieties
- Harvesting: White tea leaves are harvested much before the green tea leaves and are only hand-picked during the short period of spring. This is also the reason why white tea is more expensive than the green tea variety. Green tea is minimally processed, but it does experience some oxidation, unlike the young buds used in the preparation of white tea. [rx] [rx]
- Brewing: White tea is specifically brewed from very young leaves and buds as compared to green tea, making them one of the rarest tea leaves. [rx]
Taste
- White tea has a sweeter and milder flavor. [rx]
- Green tea has a stronger and bitter taste.
Nutrient Composition
- Antioxidants: White tea and green tea, both, contain the same type of antioxidants and phytonutrients, but in different quantities. White tea is believed to have slightly higher levels of polyphenols than green tea. While green tea has a very high level of epigallocatechin gallate and other antioxidants. [rx] [rx]
- Caffeine: White tea is low in caffeine with just 10-15 mg per cup, whereas a single cup of green tea has 20 mg of caffeine.
- Fluoride: White tea also contains fluoride which is beneficial for gum health. [rx]
Benefits
Let us look at their benefits in detail below.
White Tea
- White tea offers a hoard of benefits including cancer protection by preventing DNA damage. [rx]
- It is known to be effective in helping to prevent lung and colon cancer, although research is still ongoing. [rx] [rx]
- The high antioxidant content of white tea helps fight free radicals and prevent premature aging.
- The anti-elastase property of this tea slows the breakdown of collagen and thereby promotes youthful and healthy skin.
Green Tea
- Green tea promotes weight loss by initiating a fat-burning process called thermogenesis.
- It helps regulate cholesterol levels, thereby lowering the risk of atherosclerosis and other heart diseases.
- Green tea may aid in lowering your risk of breast, lung, esophageal, bladder, prostate, colorectal, and stomach cancer. [rx] [rx] [rx] [rx]
- It may aid in promoting dental health and reducing inflammation in the body.
Which is Healthier?
Having discussed the health benefits of both white tea vs green tea, there is no clear winner here.
Other than the above-mentioned health benefits, both these tea varieties are also known to protect you from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. While there are slightly fewer polyphenols in green tea, it is a very healthy beverage. Due to its availability and price point, green tea will likely remain more popular than white tea in the foreseeable future. [15]
Always consult your doctor before adding any of the two tea varieties to your daily diet as they may interfere with other medications. Moderation is also advised while consuming any of the two tea types, especially if you’re breastfeeding or pregnant.
Which and What Types of Tea Is Best For Morning Breakfast
If you are struggling to find a replacement for your morning cup of coffee, tea could likely be the best choice for you. Tea is the most widely consumed beverage after water. In the US, there are more coffee drinkers than tea but that’s slowly changing. According to the Tea Association of the U.S.A. [rx], approximately four in five Americans drank tea in 2019, with millennials sipping on tea as a preferred beverage. A whopping 87 percent of the millennials in the US drink tea. 84 percent of the tea consumed is black tea, which could also be the tea used to make the famous Southern sweet tea and iced tea. 15 percent drank green tea, and the rest was between white and dark tea. However, the best morning teas could be more than just black tea and green tea.
The tea aisles in the supermarkets have got bigger and several options can be had as morning tea. There are also herbal teas, which do not contain the universally accepted definition of tea, made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. For our list of the best morning teas, we have included trending teas, including herbal options as well as decaffeinated choices. So, let’s get straight to it.
Best Morning Teas To Replace Your Coffee
Here are our top recommendations for the best morning teas to replace your cup of joe.
Matcha Tea
Matcha tea, a powdered green tea, is a great healthy option if you are looking for your morning jolt of caffeine. An 8-oz serving prepared with 1 tsp of matcha has 68 mg of caffeine, which is little less than a similar cup of black coffee at 95 mg. However, the caffeine in matcha is released slowly because of the presence of amino acids like L-theanine and arginine. Anecdotal evidence suggests that people do not feel nervousness or jitteriness, which usually occurs due to coffee consumption. [rx] [rx]
Matcha, like other forms of green tea, is an anti-oxidant-rich beverage. Researchers have found that the concentration of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a plant compound that enhances overall health, is 137 times greater than the EGCG available from green tea. So, you can have your matcha and enjoy the fat-burning and anti-aging effects of it too. [rx] [rx] [rx]
Yerba Mate Tea
Yerba mate is another caffeine-boosting option that holds its own against coffee, at approximately 78-85 mg of caffeine per 8-oz cup. This national drink of Argentina is made from the leaves and twigs of the yerba mate plant (Ilex paraguariensis) and has a strong, bitter, earthy taste similar to strong dark coffee. It may take a little getting used to.
According to research published in The Journal of Food Science, yerba mate has a high level of antioxidants and saponins that contribute to its anti-inflammatory and hypocholesterolemic properties. It also boosts energy levels, which makes it a likely contender as a morning tea. [rx]
Roasted Dandelion Root Tea
Roasted dandelion root tea has a rich, smoky flavor that tastes surprisingly similar to gently roasted black coffee. This caffeine-free drink has long been used as a herbal drink to detoxify the liver. A 2017 study suggested that the polysaccharides present in the dandelion root may have properties to help protect the liver. You can buy roasted dandelion root powder from health stores; you just have to steep it in hot water, strain it, and your morning coffee substitute is ready to go! [rx]
Chinese Teas: Black, Green, & Oolong Tea
For a beautiful subtle experience in the mornings, you can try different kinds of Chinese tea like green tea, oolong tea, and black tea. They are all available in loose-leaf variety form or tea bags. All three kinds of tea have varying levels of caffeine and several antioxidant properties. Green tea is revered for its metabolism-boosting abilities too and could provide just the boost you need to start your day. [rx] [rx]
English Breakfast Tea
If you go by the name, English breakfast tea certainly qualifies as a great morning tea. The tea, which is a blend of Assam, Ceylon, and Kenyan tea, has a warm toast flavor to it, making it one of the most popular teas in British and Irish tea culture. You can have it black or with a spot of milk, and if you love eggs, sausage, and toast in the mornings, English breakfast tea makes a good complement. Try an Earl Grey or a Darjeeling tea to see what works best for you as they vary in the boldness of flavor. [rx]
Golden Milk Tea
Golden Milk tea or turmeric tea is something you want to reach out for if you are looking for a filling drink in the morning that will also boost your immunity. This turmeric-based drink is spiced with cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger and can keep your energy levels high, especially after a morning workout. If you find that you are missing your caffeine, you can add a black tea bag to it once the drink is made. [rx]
Additional Tips To Replace Your Coffee
We understand that the break-up with your morning cup of coffee may not be an easy one. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you form a new habit:
- Try replacing your morning coffee for a few days in the week instead of going cold turkey. This may help in easing the withdrawal symptoms.
- If you take your morning coffee to-go from your favorite coffee shop, try ordering different options like matcha latte or golden milk to keep the routine going. We recommend you check the sugar content and add the sweetener of your choice in the drinks to make it healthier.
- Experiment with different kinds of tea to see what suits you best. Make it a project to discover new flavors and tastes. A sense of humor helps as some herbal teas can be quite astringent.
- Make a ritual of making your matcha tea at home by whisking it till it is nice and frothy. It will give your me time in the morning.
- If you find yourself falling in love with English Breakfast tea, you could invest in a nice teapot and teacups to make it a beautiful experience.
Where From Buy
- Promotes healthy digestion.*
- Non-GMO Verified. All Ingredients Certified Organic. Kosher. Caffeine Free.
- Consistently high quality herbs from ethical trading partnerships.State of Readiness: Mix
- Taste: Sweet and herbal with a distinct taste of anise.
- Case of six boxes, each box containing 16 sealed tea bags (96 total tea bags).
References