Why does green tea have less caffeine than black tea?!


Question:

Why does green tea have less caffeine than black tea?

I don't understand how the fermentation process in black tea increases the amount of caffeine. Does the process actually create more caffeine? The other possibility is that the natural caffeine is destroyed in green tea, but my understanding is that green tea is minimally processed.

Additional Details

2 months ago
Source of information about caffeine content:
http://www.republicoftea.com/pages/caffe...


Answers:
2 months ago
Source of information about caffeine content:
http://www.republicoftea.com/pages/caffe...

Plant Variety

It is the plant variety, not oxidation, that causes black tea to have roughly the twice the caffeine as green tea.

The Chinese green tea is a slow growing shrub that produces small, narrow leaves. Usually cultivated from seeds, it has less caffeine, ranging from 1% to 3% in dry weight.

The Indian black tea is a quick growing tree that yields large, broad leaves. Usually cultivated using the vegetable propagation method, it contains more caffeine, ranging from 3% to 5% in dry weight.

Source(s):
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/consherbs/gree...

http://ezinearticles.com/?the-truth-abou...

Green tea does NOT have less caffeine than black tea. Whoever told you that was wrong. They have the same amount of caffeine, based on the amount in the original tea leaves.




The consumer Foods information on foodaq.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
Copyright © 2007 FoodAQ - Terms of Use - Contact us - Privacy Policy

Food's Q&A Resources