Maybe for the first time, when comparing olive leaf tea to green tea you’ve even had in mind (which, if that’s the case, implies you also had olive leaf tea and green tea, making comparison the only goal!), you find out these comparisons can go way more than names. Very different species, brewed differently, and frankly, don’t taste alike, not by any standards. We provide a step-by-step, practical comparison of how each taste, the energy each provides, and how to prepare them, so you can choose what best fits your morning routine.

Caffeine and Taste: How Olive Leaf Tea Compares to Green Tea

The most fundamental difference starts with caffeine. The caffeine in your green tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. Yes, it's a relative of the black and oolong tea plants. Now for that green tea boost, typically, you'll receive 20 to 45mg of caffeine per cup, depending on how you brew your tea. As for olive leaf tea, it is the complete opposite, and it's made using the olive tree, which means naturally it is 100% caffeine-free (not just the 'lower in it' as you might find in a weakly brewed cup). You don't need anything extra taken out of it to take the caffeine away, as it never had it to start with.

That single difference changes a lot about how each tea fits into a daily routine. Green tea tends to come with a bit of built-in caution; having one too many cups or having one too late in the day is something a lot of people keep in mind. Olive leaf tea doesn't come with that same consideration, since there's no caffeine content to track from cup to cup.

But where the two really split is actually taste. Green tea is characterized by its signature grassy flavor; over-steep it a bit, and the drink may become quite bitter (which is what most of us gripe about this tea). Conversely, olive leaf tea possesses a very soft, smooth flavour profile with a mild, almost earthy taste which doesn't acquire the same bitterness over steep time, so if you often miss cues to a brewed tea while stepping away, you may have more tolerance for a cup of this brew.

Each tea also has its own unique combination of compounds to thank. For olive leaf tea, think oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, apigenin, and luteolin in addition to the catechins such as EGCG that greens are known to rely upon. These formulas aren't necessarily better or worse; they're just unique, and that distinction often comes down to what tastes best and what's convenient for your day-to-day life, not one is clearly the victor. If you want to learn what each of these actually does, we take a closer look at that on our olive leaf tea benefits guide.

How to Prepare Olive Leaf Tea vs Green Tea

Preparation is another area where the two diverge, and getting it right matters more for one than the other.

With Green Tea and Oolong, the preparation is different too, and, for one of them, making it just right will actually impact it more. Green Tea is notorious for its aversion to having very hot water or being left in your teapot too long. In short, the general advice you receive about this type of tea: get water hot, just off the boil, and steep for 2 to 3 minutes, requires quite a lot of your attention and concentration.

But let's talk about olive leaf tea - it's a little bit less stressful to make. Since you don't have that bitterness concern at play, you can steep the leaves for about four to five minutes (or maybe a bit longer to enhance flavor!) in boiling water. It's really for the distracted in all of us who just don't like to feel shackled to the timer on our kettle when we just want a tasty drink.

That being said, you can even prepare either of the teas in an iced variety. While cold brewing green tea is possible, green tea still benefits from a reduced steeping time so that you aren't drinking an overly bitter beverage even though it's not heated water. Preparing iced olive leaf tea is equally straightforward, and I simply let mine brew overnight in the refrigerator and pour it into a tall glass filled with ice. Olive leaf tea won't have any unpleasant edge whatsoever, even if brewed overnight. All the same, being aware of a cold brewing option is also a useful option for warm weather, so why not brew and see if you like one over the other.

Now, all those who wish to make that change ought to go for a sip of Classic Olive Tea. Our single-origin olive leaves may make you feel refreshed naturally. You could check the appearance of single-origin olive leaves on our site when steeped. Or for that genuine tea green experience, our comparisons page will look to put our 100% authentic 100% authentic product as an alternative; once that's covered by viewing our ever-evolving range of Olive Leaf Teas, we take you there.

At the end of the day, the olive leaf tea vs. Green tea argument is neither truly black nor white. If you're a fan of green tea (caffeine considerations be darned), that option is for you. And if you'd just like to relax with something a little milder, which could also be consumed late into the night, try out some olive leaf. Often the easiest way to determine which will get a permanent spot in your pantry? Brew both. Side. By. Side.