Which Is Better: Green or Black Tea? Which Is Better for Kombucha?
It’s important to know what’s in the foods and drinks we are consuming, but making the right choices can feel overwhelming. Today, we’re keeping things simple—let’s focus on tea.
At JuneShine, we are intentional about our ingredient choices and committed to the quality of our booch, even down to the tea we use.
Read on to understand the benefits of green and black tea and discover which tea makes the best kombucha.
The Basics of Tea
Before choosing which tea is the best, we need to understand our options.
There are so many teas out there, from black tea and green tea to white tea and oolong—it’s hard to choose. Green tea and black tea are two of the most popular choices for tea-lovers, and they each carry unique benefits.
The Power of Tea
In terms of popularity, black tea reigns supreme, with green tea following close behind. Both have similar properties because they come from the same Camellia Sinensis plant.
Both green and black tea are packed with antioxidants that support heart health and healthy cholesterol levels. These teas can also boost alertness due to their caffeine content, and they just plain taste good.
Tea lovers already know the positive effects all teas can have in their lives, but green and black tea each add a little something special.
What Makes Black and Green Teas Different?
Green and black tea come from the same plant, but they’re definitely not the same thing. Even though these teas have similar properties, there’s one key difference—oxidation.
Oxidation refers to how black and green teas the amount of oxygen the tea leaves are exposed to during processing.
Producing green tea takes minimal processing and oxidation. Because it’s not oxidized, it has a lighter, milder flavor. Green tea is considered earthy and bittersweet, and it has less caffeine than black tea.
Black tea has a stronger, bolder taste because it is oxidized for a longer time. This process creates an intense flavor and a dark color in black tea. Additionally, black tea has between 40 and 70 milligrams of caffeine in each eight-ounce cup, so it definitely gives you more of a wake-up kick.
And the Winner Is...
Green tea is often considered healthier than black tea because it is less processed. Green tea retains more of its natural properties, and it has more antioxidants than black tea, too.
Green tea also has less caffeine. You should only consume 200 mg of caffeine a day, and green tea falls solidly within these parameters, compared to black tea’s higher caffeine content.
We also prefer green tea because of its milder, smoother flavor. It leads to the smoothest, most sippable booch possible.
Tea and Kombucha
Kombucha’s popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, thanks to the perceived benefits of probiotics, but traditional kombucha has been around for centuries.
Kombucha is a fermented tea that originated in China and spread to new places via the Silk Road. Its beginnings are a bit of a mystery, but it likely dates back to China’s Qin Dynasty in 221 BC.
Tea has always been the basis of kombucha—it’s literally in the definition. Brewers can make kombucha from green or black tea, and we’ve chosen green tea to take advantage of its mild flavor and antioxidant power.
How Kombucha Is Made—and How Our Booch Is Special
Making booch sounds simple but can get surprisingly complicated. Traditional kombucha uses four ingredients: tea, good bacteria, yeast, and sugar. Once these ingredients are mixed, the kombucha ferments for about a week.
At JuneShine, we make our hard kombucha a little differently. Our Junies are made with green tea, honey, fruit juice, spices, and a Jun kombucha base that brings in the magical SCOBY—and the best part is that all of our ingredients are totally organic.
Because we use green tea and honey and follow a very specific process, you’ll notice our booch is smoother and less harsh than traditional kombucha. There’s a reason why we’re called "the champagne of kombucha."
JuneShine started out of frustration: we wanted a sustainable, transparent alcoholic beverage and couldn’t find one.
We’re passionate about having a positive impact on our planet—so we’re putting in the work. We’re aiming to reduce our carbon footprint, and we’re Climate Neutral certified because we believe in transparent and actionable accountability. We even donate one percent of our proceeds to 1% For the Planet because we’re committed to quality, our planet, and our community.
Our mission (and we chose to accept it) is to create the highest quality hard kombucha on the market that lives up to our values. And it doesn’t hurt that we have delicious flavors like Blood Orange Mint and Grapefruit Paloma, either.
Get Your Fill of Tea
There are a lot of drinks out there vying for your attention—the savvy consumer has to pay attention.
The first step is understanding different teas and how they impact kombucha. Now, it’s time to trust your instincts. With JuneShine, you never need to choose between a drink that meets your needs and one that comes through with flavor.
Sources:
Green Tea vs. Black Tea: Which Is Healthier? | Healthline
2,000 years of kombucha: A very brief history of the world’s favorite fermented drink | Vox
What Are Probiotics? Probiotic Supplements, Foods, Uses, Benefits, and Safety | WebMD
8 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Kombucha Tea | Healthline