Tea Time

Green tea is much more than just a refreshing beverage tea; it provides many proven health benefits as well. The Chinese and Japanese have enjoyed green tea’s healing qualities for thousands of years but it hasn’t been until recently that scientific research has proven the health benefits of drinking green tea.

All teas (green, black, and oolong) are harvested from the same plant (Camellia sinensis). The method of processing creates the different types. Green tea contains the highest content of various antioxidant compounds (polyphenols) that have been proven as beneficial in fighting certain cancers, to help lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure, to help prevent food allergies, to reduce the risk of flu and infections, and to reduce the effects of aging. Vitamins C and E and beta carotene are also prevalent in green tea. Enough fluoride is found in green tea to help reduce plaque formation and bacterial infections in the mouth. The caffeine content found in green tea is about a quarter to an eighth that of coffee and less then a can of cola but varies with the brewing time.

Green teas are as varied and unique as wines. Their uniqueness depends upon the growing region, the season’s weather, time of harvesting and type of processing. Many varieties are available in multiple grades. Some exotic teas are picked only one day a year! The majority of green teas come from Japan, China or India. Processing of the tea varies between the different regions so this is just a basic overview. The finest teas come from the most aromatic, young, top two leaves and the unopened leaf bud of the plant. After picking, the green leaves are spread out in the hot air to wither. Once they are soft, they are traditionally pan-fried in woks. In Japan, they may be steamed. This prevents the leaves from oxidizing (fermenting) as occurs in black tea. The leaves are then rolled to give them durability, their characteristic shapes: twisted, curly or balled, and as a means to regulate the release of natural substances and flavor when steeped. The final step dries the leaves by firing. This stabilizes the natural fragrances and flavors and preserves the green color. The objective of processing the tea leaves into green tea is to preserve the healthy, natural and active substances.

Sometimes flowers are placed on the tea leaves during the drying process to impart a gentle floral flavor to the tea, such as the popular jasmine green tea.

There are hundreds of different green teas, most of which never reach the U.S. Some of the more common green teas are:

Gyokuro - the finest green tea. Bancha - the "everyday" green tea of Japan. This tea is made from low-grade leaves, imparting a slightly astringent taste. Genmaicha - a tea made from a combination of usually bancha and roasted brown rice. Some of the rice pops during the roasting process like popcorn. This is a light tea with a slightly nutty flavor. Sencha - a delicate, sweeter, Japanese green tea with needlelike leaves available in many grades. Kukicha - a mild Japanese tea made from the twigs or stems of the tea bush. Gunpowder - a stronger Chinese tea rolled into tight pellets originally to preserve freshness during the long trip from China to Europe. Dragonwell - a favorite Chinese tea with flat, long leaves.

Some of the more exotic and expensive green teas have such interesting names as: White Monkey Paw, Dragon Pearls, Lucky Dragon, Jasmine Dragon Tears and Bird Nest.

So, for those of you who have tried green tea and just don’t care for the taste, give it a second chance. Green tea requires a quicker brewing time from most teas to keep it from becoming bitter tasting. Use approximately one teaspoon of tea per cup of water. Bring your water to just under a boil or boil and let sit for 5 minutes before pouring over the tea. Green tea only needs a brewing time of one to two minutes before removing the tea leaves from your cup or pot. Adjust the quantity of tea or length of brewing to suit your taste. The used tea leaves can actually be reused for a second cup of tea, just brew about 20 seconds longer. Green tea can also be brewed with other herbs such as ginger, peppermint, lemon balm or jasmine flowers to change the flavor yet still reap the health benefits.

Take a few minutes, brew up a cup of this ancient healing tea and contemplate life while your body enjoys the gentle health benefits.

A wonderful place to find organic green teas is Mountain Rose Herbs.



By: Tania Tyler

About the Author:

Harry

hawkette92 asked:


I’m just curious on this because I haven’t seen anything on it, but does anyone know if there is caffeine in the green tea and white teas that are out right now?

Garfield

Green teas have always been popular, especially in the Japanese cultures but have made their impact in the western world as well. Green tea has been used in many aspects in the last few years not only as a well brewed beverage but also added to supplements and other dietary items because of the rich antioxidants that this tea possess.

You maybe asking what exactly is green tea. Well really it is no different that your typical black tea. The only difference is the process that the green tea goes through that makes it different from the the traditional black teas. Black teas are highly processed, this is what gives them the darker color. A green tea is processed less and in some instances is grown in a different environment. Some high quality green teas are grown in the shade rather than the direct sunlight.

Green teas are made from the same tea plants as red and black tea but they undergo a very minimal oxidation process. Green tea originates from China although it has become the common tea of Japan. In fact in Japan green tea is commonly just called tea as this is the main type of tea of the Japanese culture.

Green tea has many special features to it that are not present in other types of tea. Green tea typically has a lower amount of caffeine than your typical cup of black tea. In fact green tea only has a fourth of the amount of caffeine as a equivalent sized cup of coffee. That is also about half of the amount of caffeine that a normal cup of tea contains.

To brew the perfect cup of green tea you will want to use a slightly cooler water than you would for your typical tea. The water used to brew green tea should be between 140 degrees F and 190 degrees F. The higher the quality of green tea used the cooler the water should be and the shorter the brewing time. The less expensive green teas will need to be brewed longer and at a higher temperature. Green teas typical use one teaspoon per cup of water and can also be steeped multiple times. You can typically steep a single serving of green tea leaves two to three times before discarding.

Green tea has become very popular in the Western World as it has been for centuries in the Eastern World. The health benefits that it provides and the great taste is just a few of the reasons for it’s popularity. It’s use in medical supplements and creams which have just begun to be approved by the FDA are also part of it’s popularity. The antioxidants in green tea are thought to be helpful in reducing the effects of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. It is also thought to help reduce the bad cholesterol and high blood pressure. Green tea has been used to increase metabolism and has been used in diet control supplements. Green tea has become the natural cure and remedy for many of the health care issues plaguing the nation. Research suggest that drinking 4 to 5 cups of green tea a day can greatly improve one’s health.

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By: Stephen Haworth

About the Author:

Luella

kerr to u asked:


I know its green tea because I ask them, but it has a distinct flavor that is much different than the green teas that I have at home. I’ve been to a couple different places and the tea is the same, any suggestions?

Sophie