Quick answer

Choose Prince of Peace Imperial Green Organic Whole Leaf Tea if you want a light, refreshing cup you can sip through the morning; choose High Mountain Black Organic Whole Leaf Tea if you prefer a richer, deeper flavor and a brew that stands up to milk or a second steep. Both use whole leaves and compostable bags, so the real decision is flavor and caffeine feel.

What whole leaf actually changes in the bag

Both teas are built around whole leaves rather than broken pieces. That matters because whole leaves keep their natural oils and aromas intact, which is why the catalog describes a richer, more layered cup. In practice, you get more flavor from the same bag, and the leaf holds up better if you accidentally oversteep by a few seconds.

The trade-off is that whole leaf tea rewards a little attention. It opens up more slowly than a fine-cut tea bag, so give it the full steep time instead of dunking and pulling it out early.

Flavor direction: bright and green vs deep and malty

Imperial Green is described as delicate, refreshing, and nuanced, with slender, tight leaves crafted using traditional methods. That translates to a cup that tastes clean and grassy rather than heavy, and it stays pleasant even if you drink it without milk or sugar.

High Mountain Black leans the other way: the catalog promises a richer taste from whole leaves that lock in aroma. It is the better pick when you want a cup with more weight and a finish that lingers, and it holds its character when you add milk or honey.

Caffeine: what the labels do and do not tell you

Neither product page lists a milligram caffeine count, so treat any exact number as a guess. What you can rely on is the general pattern: green tea usually feels gentler and black tea usually feels stronger, but leaf grade, dose, and steep time all move the number.

If caffeine sensitivity is your main concern, start with one Imperial Green bag in the morning and see how you feel before making it your afternoon default. If you want a more substantial lift, High Mountain Black is the more likely fit, but keep your first cup modest until you know your response.

Trade-offs to weigh before you choose

  • Flavor intensity: Imperial Green gives a light, refreshing cup that stays clean; High Mountain Black gives a richer, deeper cup with more presence. Pick green for subtle sipping, black for a bolder start to the day. If you drink tea mostly for refreshment, green is the easier everyday choice.
  • Caffeine feel: Green tea generally feels gentler than black tea, but neither label states a milligram count. Use one bag and a short steep for your first cup, then adjust. Do not assume a specific caffeine number from either box.
  • Brewing attention: Whole leaves need the full steep to open up. Give Imperial Green about two to three minutes in water just off the boil, and High Mountain Black about three to four minutes in freshly boiled water. Both tolerate a second steep better than broken-leaf bags. A second steep is a fair test of whether whole leaf is worth it for you.
  • Add-ins: High Mountain Black holds up to milk and honey without losing its character; Imperial Green is best enjoyed plain or with a slice of lemon so its delicate notes stay visible. If you take milk in your tea, start with the black.

Product facts at a glance

Which box fits your routine

Best for

  • Drinkers who want a light, refreshing organic green tea they can sip plain through the morning
  • Anyone building a whole leaf tea habit who wants compostable bags and a gentle caffeine feel

Not for

  • People who take milk or honey in every cup and want the tea to still taste bold
  • Drinkers who need a strong, malty breakfast tea to replace coffee