Did you know that green and black tea come from the same plant? Yes, you read that right! Both types of tea come from the leaves of Camellia sinensis , but the difference comes in the processing. But before we get into the details… Did you know that your favorite “fruit tea” isn’t tea at all? 😲
🍃 Green tea vs. Black tea – what's the difference?
✅ Green tea – minimally oxidized, fresh and full of antioxidants.
✅ Black tea – fully oxidized, stronger in flavor and with more caffeine.
But who discovered them anyway?
📜 Green tea – the discovery of pure happiness!
Legend has it that green tea was discovered by the Chinese emperor Shen Nong around 2737 BC. When a tea leaf accidentally landed in his kettle of boiling water, the first tea was created. He tried it and… voilà, green tea was born!
🧐 Black tea – disaster or masterpiece?
Black tea was “discovered” by the Chinese in the 16th century – completely by accident! 🌪️ After the tea leaves were transported in humid conditions, fermentation occurred, giving it a stronger and darker flavor. European traders loved it – and it became popular in England and India!
🍵 What about matcha tea?
Although it belongs to green tea , matcha is something very special! 🍵✨
💚 What is matcha?
Matcha is a finely ground powder of a special green tea that is grown in the shade to develop more chlorophyll and amino acids (which gives it its characteristic rich flavor). Instead of steeping and then removing the tea leaves, with matcha we drink the whole leaf , which means more antioxidants, more energy, and more benefits!
💡 Matcha vs. classic green tea?
• More energy – contains more caffeine than regular green tea, but is released more slowly, without a quick energy crash.
• More antioxidants – up to 137x more than regular green tea!
• Richer taste – delicate sweetness and slight bitterness in perfect balance.
Matcha is popular with those who want more focus and energy without coffee . Have you tried it yet? 😍
🍓 Fruit tea... or do you prefer fruit brew?
The vast majority of people think that anything in hot water is “tea.” But technically, true tea only comes from the Camellia sinensis plant . This means that fruit and herbal “teas” aren’t really teas at all , but herbal infusions.
🔹 Real teas – Green, black and matcha tea.
🔹 Brews – Chamomile, mint, ginger, hibiscus… anything that isn't made from the tea tree.
But don't worry, fruit and herbal concoctions are still great! 🍵😉
🇬🇧 Why do British people drink black tea with milk? 🥛☕
Have you ever wondered why black tea is often drunk with milk? The British started this habit back in the 17th century. But not because of the taste – but because of the cups!
📌 In the early days of tea drinking, porcelain cups were very fragile. If you poured hot tea into them, they could crack! So they poured milk first to slowly heat the cups and prevent cracking. Later, they discovered that milk also reduces the bitterness of strong black tea , and so it became a tradition.
Today, milk is still a popular addition to strong black teas such as Assam or English Breakfast , as it softens the flavor and reduces acidity .
But BEWARE! If you drink tea without milk , you will be able to perceive all the complex flavors of the leaves more easily. What will you choose – black tea with a drop of milk or without? 🤔
♻️ Useful tip: How to reuse tea?
If you drink real tea (green, matcha, or black), you can steep it multiple times!
🫖 Green tea : 2–3 pours
🍂 Black tea : 1–2 pours
🍵 Matcha? No topping – you drink the whole powder!
💡 Trick: Each subsequent infusion should be a little longer than the previous one to extract all the flavor. Some teas (especially green ones) even taste better on the second or third infusion , as the flavor gradually develops.
🔴 What about fruit and herbal concoctions? Unfortunately, most lose their flavor after the first pour - so they're best served only once.
