The oolong, the green as well as black tea are from the same origin, i.e., the Camellia Sinensis plant. However, they are different from each other due to the difference in the processing methods.
Oolong undergoes fermentation and is oxidized to an extent. The green, on the other hand, is not. Thus, the processing leads to two different teas popular across the globe today.
Let us find out the differences between Oolong Tea and Green Tea
Taste and Color
The green has a green color whereas the oolong has a brown texture. The green tea tastes mild compared to the latter.
Oolong is much popular for its flavor. Whereas, green tea is highly recommended for its health benefits.
The green tea hails from China and Japan whereas oolong is prevalent in Taiwan or China.
Brewing Methods
The brewing methods of the two are a little different. Oolong and green tea differ not only from each other but have a lot of variations in themselves.
The oxidization levels, the growing conditions, the location, everything matters and brings the difference in the teas.
The green tea is generally brewed for 3 – 4 minutes in water and seeped. People do not consider adding sweeteners or milk to ensure it gives you 100% of its benefits.
However, if you find oolong tea leaves rolled as balls, then you may consider adding one tsp of leaves in 6 oz of water.
On the other hand, if it is a long leaf, you may use two tablespoons instead.
Since each tea differs in the strength of losing its contents, the steeping time differs. In the case of green tea, depending on how strong one wants the flavor to be, people add 1 to 2 teaspoons of green tea leaves.
Catechins
Both the tea leaves are abundant in flavonoids known as catechins. The catechins help in reducing the risks of various cancers such as prostate, endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancer.
It also contributes to decreasing heart diseases.
Green tea has more quantity of catechins compared to that of oolong tea.
Cancer Prevention
Oolong tea is high in polyphenols which is an anti-inflammatory content. These antioxidants help in evading the risks of cancer.
Shreds of evidence have shown that the tea slows down the formation of these cancer-causing cells in the body.
Green tea also eludes the cancer risks since it has more polyphenols compared to oolong tea.
It, in fact, covers up more types of cancers compared the oolong tea. It can cure the skin, breast, lung, prostate, stomach, ovarian bladder, and many more such cancers in the body.
Control Blood Sugar Levels
Oolong tea is good to control your blood sugar levels. It is known to have cured diabetes. The diabetic patients who were not overweight were identified to be highly benefited from the oolong tea. It enhances blood glucose metabolism to manage diabetes.
However, should consider a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle to get the best possible effects. Green tea is successful in curing type II diabetes.
Bring Calmness
The polyphenols present in the tea are also a source of stress reduction. Proved by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Academy, four cups of the brew for a week could show the results of causing less stress.
The antioxidants further help in better brain performance and enhanced memory.
Heart benefits
A study showed that people who had 8 oz of oolong tea each day experienced lowered heart diseases by 61%. It also improves blood pressure in the body. It also evades the risks of stroke.
Green tea also helps in preventing the dangers of strokes. Also published in the American Medical Association journal published in 2006, people consuming 5 cups of green tea had lower risks of death due to heart diseases.
It is the excess of polyphenolic and catechin content that immensely contributes to heart benefits.
Healthy Bones
A Japanese study conducted with 680 old Japanese women proved that oolong tea is helpful for the bones.
The tea improved the density of the bones that connected the leg to the hip socket.
Apart from the benefits mentioned above, green tea has added benefits such as it can prevent the risk of Alzheimer’s and boosting the working of memory.
It also lowers cholesterol levels and related issues, covering up the overall benefits of body fitness after a workout.
We can thus say; green tea has higher benefits compared to oolong tea.
Fluoride content
Fluoride is beneficial for dental health. It has the capacity to reduce cavities. However, an excess of it can weaken the bones. The fluoride content in the oolong tea lies between 0.1 to 0.2 mg.
Considering the same quantity, 8 ounces of green tea has 0.3 to 0.4 mg of fluoride.
Caffeine Level
Comparing the two, the Linus Pauling Institute proves that the two teas have an equal amount of caffeine. It is generally 9 to 50 mg of caffeine in an 8-ounce mug.
However, the quantity is pretty less as compared to coffee or black tea. Thus, we can say, both drinks are safe from the side effects of that of caffeine.
Caffeine is a significant contributor to improving the metabolism in the body and burning fats.
Since the content of caffeine is lesser compared to other beverages in both teas, weight loss may not be so effective (if you compare it with black tea or coffee).
However, the positively active anti-oxidants along with caffeine do contribute to burning fats.
Weight Loss
The polyphenols called catechins boost the metabolism in the body and contribute to weight loss. Since the oolong tea has some quantity of these polyphenols; the oolong tea partially helps in weight loss.
Similarly, caffeine is a massive contribution to losing weight. Since both the teas have both these contents, they are proved to be an apt brew for weight loss.
The oolong tea wins when it comes to differentiating the consumption of the two with the view to losing weight.
Green tea definitely has a high antioxidant content. However, the polyphenols present in oolong tea are best known to activate thermogenesis. It improves the burning of fat in the body.
Research says, if you compare oolong tea with 2 cups of green tea, the former has the capacity to burn 134 calories, i.e., 157% high fat. Thus, oolong wins with more recommendations when it’s about the weight loss section.
Which is better, Green Tea vs Oolong Tea?
We know, green tea has a high number of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory polyphenols compared to oolong tea. It, in fact, has more catechins and fluoride too.
The caffeine content is almost similar though it is slightly more in the oolong. In a single cup of oolong tea, caffeine content may be 37 mg which is more than 25 mg of caffeine in a cup of green tea.
However, since the caffeine in both beverages is lesser compared to that of the black tea and the coffee, they are known simply for their health benefits. The caffeine will not show any side effects in the body.
Moreover, both the teas have their own health benefits. Yet, green tea has more of them. In fact, it covers up all the benefits that oolong tea has to offer.
Thus, green tea wins over oolong tea in the game of healthy beverages.