What is Green Tea Green tea is the most popular tea variety in the East and one of the most popular health drinks in the world. Among the varieties of tea, green tea is the least oxidized. The leaves of Camellia sinensis plant are steamed or fired immediately after they are harvested to stop the oxidation process.
History and Origin of Green Tea Like all varieties of tea, green tea was first made in China. It was in Yunnan province where the first cup of green tea was produced. Camellia sinensis plant originated in Yunnan province. Today, more than 200 of the almost 400 varieties of Camellia sinensis are cultivated in Yunnan province. Some people say that up to this day, when the Chinese say “tea,� they are referring to green tea. The Chinese have other names for the other tea varieties.
There is a story on how green tea was first made. According to the story, Emperor Shennong was boiling water when some Camellia sinensis leaves fell into the water container. He drank the water and liked its taste. It is said that around 1190, a Japanese Zen priest who studied in Buddhist monasteries in China brought seeds of the tea plant to Japan. He cultivated tea plants and made green tea using the knowledge he acquired in China. He taught his fellow Buddhist monks how to drink green tea for meditation. Eventually, green tea became known to other parts of Japan. Aside from China and Japan, there are other countries that produce and market green tea. Some of these countries are Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, and Taiwan.
How Green Tea Is Produced Green tea is produced through the following steps: 1. Harvesting: Tea leaves are harvested either by hand or by using a machine. 2. Pan Firing or Steaming: The leaves are heated immediately after they are harvested. 3. Rolling: The leaves are rolled by hand or by using a machine. 4. Drying: The leaves are dried to remove moisture.
How to Steep Green Tea The steeping temperature and time required to make green tea vary depending on the type of the tea. But there are general steps that are followed in brewing green tea. Below are the general steps in steeping green tea. 1. Heat water to 160 to 180 degrees. 2. Pour green tea leaves into the water container. Use two grams of green tea leaves per cup of water. 3. Cover the container. 4. Let the tea seep for about two minutes. Do not heat the water to a temperature higher than 180 degrees. Also, do not steep the tea too long. Green tea becomes bitter when steeped at a very high temperature or for a long time.
Flavor of Green Tea
There are several types of green tea and their taste varies. Factors such as the place where the tea plants were grown, the season the leaves were harvested, how the leaves were processed, and how the leaves are brewed affect the taste of green tea. In general, the flavor of green tea is any of the following:
Grassy Sweet Nutty Earthy Toasty Seaweed-like
Types of Green Tea There are several types of green tea. The most popular types are from China and Japan. 1. Chinese Green Tea Chinese green tea is pan fired. The leaves are placed in a pan, basket, or drum and exposed to heat to stop the leaves from oxidizing. The heat can be generated from air, electricity, gas, or charcoal. The source of heat and the number of firings done affect the flavor of the produced tea. In general, Chinese green tea has a grassy and roasted taste.
Two of the most popular Chinese green teas are:
Gundpowder: The tea leaves are shaped like pellets. To produce this tea, the leaves are fired in a metal drum with holes. Dragonwell: The tea leaves are flat, smooth, and shaped like swords. To produce this tea, the leaves are fired in a pan.
2. Japanese Green Tea To produce Japanese green tea, the leaves are steamed not long after they are harvested. Steaming gives the tea its sweet and grassy flavor. Four of the most popular Japanese green teas are:
Gyokoro: This tea is the most valued tea in Japan. The leaves of this tea are shaped like needles. Prior to harvesting, the tea plants are placed under a shade for weeks to achieve a more intense flavor and color. Sencha: It is the most produced and most consumed tea in Japan. It has leaves that are long and skinny. Matcha: Like Gyokoro, Matcha is made from shaded tea leaves. This tea is in powder form and used in cooking. It is also used in tea ceremonies in Japan. Hojicha: Hojicha is made from Sencha that has been exposed to high heat. The high temperature gives Hojicha its roasted flavor and lowers the amount of caffeine in the tea.
How Much Caffeine Is in Green Tea In general, a cup of green tea has less caffeine than a cup of black tea. A cup of green tea can have as low as 11 mg of caffeine. However, depending on the type of tea plant used and the processing done to the leaves, the caffeine content can be much higher than that. To know the exact caffeine content of the green tea, it is best to look at the packaging or ask the seller.
How to Properly Store Green Tea If stored for a long time, green tea can become stale. After purchase, it is best to consume green tea within six months to one year. To preserve the freshness of green tea, it should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark place. Also, because tea easily absorbs odor, it should not be stored near food and spices that have a strong aroma.
Health Benefits of Drinking Green Tea Green tea is the healthiest tea variety, and that is why it is the favorite tea in the East. Green tea is full of nutrients and antioxidants that effectively protect the body from many health problems. Below are 13 proven health benefits of drinking green tea. 1. Green Tea Fights Free Radicals Tea leaves have large amounts of bioactive compounds. However, these healthy compounds are diminished by oxidation. Because green tea is not oxidized, it contains most of the bioactive compounds that the unprocessed tea leaves contain. The polyphenols that green tea has are powerful antioxidants. They fight free radicals that damage cells, speed up aging, and cause various diseases. EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), a polyphenol, has been proven to be an effective treatment for many types of diseases. It is one of the reasons why green tea is a powerful health drink. 2. Caffeine and Amino Acid in Green Tea Can Enhance Intelligence Green tea contains enough caffeine to stimulate brain activity. Caffeine blocks adenosine, a neuromodulator that promotes sleep and decreases concentration. By doing so, caffeine stimulates nerve cells and increases the amount of norepinephrine and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters. Also, based on tests, caffeine improves memory and mood. Aside from caffeine, the L-theanine in green tea also increases the amount of dopamine. Moreover, L-theanine stimulates a neurotransmitter that fights anxiety. Caffeine and L-theanine work together to improve brain function. Green tea boosts energy without giving the jitters, which come with drinking coffee. 3. Green Tea Boosts Metabolism and Promotes Weight Loss Most fat burning supplements contain green tea because this tea has been proven to be an effective fat burner and metabolism booster. Many studies involving hundreds of men and women showed that those who drank green tea daily lost weight and had reduced abdominal fat.
4. Green Tea Prevents Several Types of Cancer The antioxidants in green tea protect cells from damages that cause cancer. The polyphenol EGCG prevents the growth of cancer cells. Some of the types of cancer that green tea can prevent are breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer. 5. Green Tea Lowers the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease Aside from improving brain function, green tea also protects against Alzheimer’s disease, a neurodegenerative disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the main cause of dementia and it can lead to death if left untreated. Tests made have shown that catechins in green tea lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by protecting neurons. A study involving a group of people who are at least 80 years old was conducted for two years. The result showed that 96 percent of the participants who drank 10 cups of green tea per day did not show any sign of cognitive problem. 6. Green Tea Prevents Bad Breath Green tea has antibacterial properties that kill harmful bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria cause plaque buildup, cavities, and bad breath. 7. Green Tea Boosts Immune System Green tea has catechins that boost immunity against influenza virus. 8. Green Tea Prevents Type 2 Diabetes Type 2 diabetes happens when the level of blood sugar is extremely high because of lack of insulin in the body. Polyphenols in green tea effectively reduce the level of blood sugar. 9. Green Tea Helps Prevent Heart Diseases People who regularly drink green tea have an 80 percent lower chance of getting heart diseases. The antioxidants in green tea prevent LDL oxidation in the arteries. These antioxidants also prevent blood clots from forming. 10. Drinking Green Tea Reduces the Risk of Food Poisoning Green tea prevents food poisoning by killing bad intestinal bacteria like E. coli and clostridia.
11. Green Tea Prevents Hepatitis Green tea prevents hepatitis by lowering the level of iron in the liver. 12. Green Tea Eases Pain Caused by Arthritis The EGCG in green tea is anti-inflammatory. It reduces joint damage and inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis. 13. Green Tea Fights Allergies Japanese researchers have found out that green tea contains a compound that prevents the production of compounds that trigger allergic reactions.
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