GREEN TEA
Not as familiar to the Western palate as the black tea, but it is certainly not an unknown variety. As the world becomes a smaller place due to easy and fast spread of knowledge, we are discovering more and more hidden treasures from other parts of the world.
Green tea, most popularly known as the ‘anti-aging beverage’ has been an integral part of life for centuries in various cultures. It is packed with nutrients that help slow down body’s aging process, the most striking example of which we see in Japan.
So what exactly is green tea?
Green, black and oolong teas come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. The difference is that green tea has leaves that have not been fermented so they contain the highest level of antioxidants. Some of the antioxidants and healing compounds found in green tea include polyphenols, catechins and various other types of flavonoids.
Even though it contains small amounts of caffeine, green tea consumption has been associated with more health benefits than even many ‘superfoods’.
BENEFITS OF GREEN TEA
Long term studies on various populations suggest that green tea is beneficial for overall health, however it shows incredible amount of benefits for the following conditions:
- Heart health by reducing atherosclerosis and risk of heart diseases
- Lowers blood pressure
- Reduces cholesterol levels
- Reduces inflammation in cases of arthritis
- Increases bone density
- Improves memory
- Helps prevent cancer
- May help prevent memory loss and Alzheimer’s
- Helps protect brain cells from free radical damage
- May help prevent diabetes and insulin resistance
- Promotes bone health
- Protects vision and prevents eye diseases
- Aids in weight loss
GREEN TEA AND BONE HEALTH
University of Hong Kong researchers published a study in the August, 2009 Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry concerning green tea and bone health. When the bone cells of rats were exposed to green tea catechins, EGC in particular stimulated an enzyme that promotes bone growth by 79%. The catechins also increased bone mineralization thereby reversing the bone damage.
TYPES OF GREEN TEA
There are so many varieties out there. How do I choose?
There are a wide variety of green teas available around the world. Each place has its own unique variety with a unique taste, texture, aroma, and benefits.
Here are some of the most common types of green teas available:
- Fukamushi Sencha
- Gyokuro
- Kabusecha
- Matcha
- Tencha
- Genmaicha
- Hojicha
Why some green teas are a lot more expensive than others depends on a number of factors including but not limited to: the quality of the soil, availability of clean water, elevation of the agricultural land, time of the year it is harvested, the length of leaves, how long ago it was harvested, and how it is stored.
HOW TO BREW A PERFECT CUP OF GREEN TEA
Most experts recommend drinking 3 to 4 cups a day for availing maximum benefits of green tea.
Ingredients
- 1-2 teaspoons of green tea leaves
- 1 cup of water
Method
- Boil the water until it reaches a temperature of 71-82 degrees C / 160-180 degrees F.
- Let it sit for a minute or so before adding the tea leaves.
- Let the mix steep for approximately five to eight minutes; or longer if you prefer strong flavor.
- Strain and transfer the tea to a cup.
- Add honey or lemon to taste.
- Enjoy!
Matcha Tea Brewing Method
It is best to read the instructions on the box, but generally Matcha tea is brewed this way:
- Fill kettle with water and heat to just short of boiling.
- Warm the serving bowl by pouring hot water in, and then throwing it out.
- Add 1 teaspoon of matcha tea powder to bowl or cup and 2 ounces of nearly boiled water.
- Whisk for a minute or two until it looks thick and frothy with tiny bubble, then add 3–4 ounces of boiled water before drinking.
Green tea is definitely a better and more health-conscious choice then a cup of coffee. Even though green tea contains less caffeine, from my personal experience, green tea gives you about the same ‘boost’ as a cup of mild coffee. In fact, drinking green tea after 7 PM causes me to stare at the walls until 2 AM, no different than coffee! So when it comes to choosing a cup of healthy warm drink with amazing health benefits, green tea is definitely a no-brainer.