Green tea vs black tea for a beginner
The two most available categories, and the one people should usually start with is not the one they usually try first. The category most people try first is not the one that gives the shortest path to something better.
tea type
What is being compared
Point by point
| Aspect | Black tea | Green tea |
|---|---|---|
| Forgiveness | High. Boiling water, three minutes, hard to ruin. | Low. Boiling water is the single most common green-tea mistake. |
| Familiarity | Almost everyone has drunk it. | Often only from a bag, brewed badly. |
| Equipment | None needed. | A variable kettle changes it considerably. |
| Where to start within it | A single-origin version of a blend you know. | Roasted or rice-blended styles rather than sencha. |
The short answer
Start with black tea if you want the shortest path to something better than what you drink now. Start with green tea if you are willing to control temperature.
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