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What is the difference between green, black and Rooibos tea? |
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All traditional teas - green and black - come from the Camellia sinensis plant, while Rooibos comes from a bush only found in South Africa called Aspalathus linearis. The difference between green and black teas is the result of processing.
Green Teas go through three main steps: withering, steaming, and drying. During the withering process, freshly plucked leaves are laid out on long tables to allow water to evaporate from the leaves. After withering, the leaves are steamed to prevent any of the enzymes from oxidizing. Finally, the leaves are carefully dried and sealed into large tea chests for storage or shipment.
Black teas go through 4 main steps: withering, rolling, oxidizing, and drying. During the withering process, freshly plucked leaves are laid out on long tables to allow water to evaporate from the leaves. After withering, the leaves are rolled by hand or machine. Rolling gently breaks and bruises the leaves to release the enzymes from within the leaves. After rolling, the leaves are laid out on racks where they are oxidized. This process is what turns the leaves from green to brown and black in color. When the optimal level of oxidation is reached, the leaves are dried to stop oxidation. The leaves are then packed and sealed into large tea chests for storage or shipment.
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