Green tea is a special kind of tea that is obtained from the Camellia sinensis leaves and buds that have not gone through the same withering and oxidation process that is used in making oolong teas and black teas. Green tea originated in China, but you can find it almost everywhere in the world.
There are different kinds of green teas, and they vary based on their growing conditions, type of Camellia sinensis used, horticultural methods, time of harvest, and production processing. Some types of green teas are Matcha, Sencha, Genmaicha, Hōjicha, Gyokuro, Kukicha, Bancha, and others. Consuming green tea has a lot of health benefits such as: It helps in reducing bad breath, helps in burning fat, aids brain function, and it may also help in preventing cardiovascular diseases. Green tea leaves are usually green, but they can also be yellow, red, or brown.
Green tea leaves can have a yellow color in them because the color varies based on the Chlorophyll content of the leaves and the period of harvest. Most Chinese green tea most usually results in a yellow brew.
During the pan-frying or roasting processes in the production of green tea, the natural green pigments in the tea are partially destroyed. But the steaming process in the production of Japanese green tea allows the resulting brew to be much more green and vibrant in color as the pigments remain in the tea leaves.
You are most likely to get a yellow infusion when you use high water temperatures in brewing green tea. The yellow infusion comes from compounds that can be easily dissolved at high temperatures in the same way that bitter compounds are dissolved.
The green color of green tea usually comes from the same molecule responsible for making the leaves of any plant green. The name of that molecule is Chlorophyll; they are usually found in plants and algae. Chlorophyll is found in tea leaves, and they help them stay green as long as these molecules don’t get destroyed or decomposed. If you have consumed oolong tea, black tea, or cooked Pu Erh tea, you will know that oxidation and aging affect the green color of tea, and the same is true for green tea. After a while, the green color often disappears naturally based on the color of the tea leaves or the processing of the tea leaves.
Why does my green tea not look green?
Your green tea does not look green because of certain things. If what you have is a Chinese green tea, it will always yield a yellow infusion. The color of green tea is green because of the Chlorophyll molecules in the tea leaves. Also, over time, the natural green color of your green tea will be altered due to decomposition, microbial activity, and oxidation.
Can green tea be yellow, and what color should green tea be?
Green tea can be yellow. Usually, green tea production ensures that the tea leaves don’t get oxidized; that way, the leaves are kept green and fresh. Most green teas are usually green, but they can also be yellow, brown, or red. Most Chinese green teas are yellow. Although the ideal color of green tea should be green, there are different variants of green tea, and they also have different colors. If you want to enjoy green tea that has green color, purchase Japanese green teas. Matcha is also a green tea that has green color. Also, the brews of Fukamushi and Gyokure often have a pale green color.
How do you keep green tea green?
Green tea usually has different colors ranging from Green, yellow, green, white, brown, red, or black. There are ways you can keep your green tea green.
Usually, green tea color changes when it is exposed to excessive heat. Heat has a major negative impact on the Chlorophyll content of the tea leaves.
Also, when you store your green tea in a warm place, it will make the green color disappear quickly, so if you want to maintain the green color of your green tea, store them in a cool place like your refrigerator.
Also, don’t expose your green tea to light if you want to keep it green. The light easily destroys the Chlorophyll molecules that give your green tea its green color.
Also, the green color of your green tea will change if it decays. So, if you want to preserve its natural green color, you should store it properly, so it doesn’t decay. Although, after a long while, the green color will decrease naturally. Over time, the Chlorophyll, the molecules that provide green tea with its green color, will naturally decay. If you have green tea that has stayed for over a year or two old, you will notice a decrease in its green color already.
Also, oxidation of green tea will degrade its Chlorophyll content. This lead to a gradual disappearance of its green color. The oxidation of green tea will make your tea have colors like brown, red, or black. Store your green tea in a cool, dark place if you don’t want to alter its natural green color.
Why is my green tea brown?
Your green tea may be brown because it is over oxidized and has low antioxidant quality. Also, if the taste of your green tea is bitter, it is a clear sign that it is over oxidized because green tea is not supposed to have a bitter taste. Basically, over oxidation is the major reason why your green tea is brown.
Does honey ruin green tea?
Yes, it does. If you want to add honey to your green tea, don’t do it when your tea is still hot. Since honey has more nutritional value than sugar, most people love to use it in their tea than sugar. If you add honey to a boiling cup of green tea, you may end up destroying its nutritional value. Always make sure your green tea is a little bit warm before you add your honey.
Why is my green tea red?
It is quite rare for green tea to be red. You will experience this red color in your green tea because of oxidation and heating processes. Most times, you will experience this red color in oolong tea. Your green tea leaves are not supposed to be red, so if you see this, it may be a fault during the production process.
Preserve your green tea in a tight container, so it doesn’t get exposed to air; that way, you won’t have to deal with a green tea that turns red when brewed.
Conclusion
The fact that your green tea is yellow doesn’t mean it has a low quality because there are various methods of processing green teas.
If you want to brew your green tea correctly, ensure you get teapots that help keep water at the required temperature. You can use porcelain teapots or Kyusu(Japanese teapots) for brewing and drinking your green tea; they help you enjoy green tea with its original taste intact.
Store your green tea properly. Please keep it in a tight container, protect it from direct sunlight and heat so it doesn’t tamper with the Chlorophyll molecules that make green tea green.