Written by Tania Tyler
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 Japanese
green tea.
- Bancha - the "everyday" green tea
of Japan. This tea is made from low-grade
leaves, imparting a slightly astringent
taste.
- Genmaicha - a Japanese 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.
