What is Green Tea
Right off the bat, Green Tea is a leaf (or leaves) that is steeped in hot water to release the flavor of the tea leaf, for your heavenly enjoyment.
Green Tea as we know it, comes from the Camellia Sinensis
bush, better known as the
Green Tea Plant. A point of interest, that
completely took me by surprise, was that this Tea Bush is the exact same
bush that normal tea is taken from. Such a difference in all the
different types of tea was, well ... almost paranormal.
Tea, in all its forms, is still the second most favored beverage of the world's population. Water remains the favorite.
In recent times, scientists and researchers around the world have been studying the health benefits of Green Tea with so much more interest than they had on normal Black Tea.
Black and Green Tea are different
Although both Green and Black Teas come from the same plant, they are
almost worlds apart. Not only do they differ in color, and flavor, but
many of the health benefits that each has to offer are very different.
The first and major difference in the life cycle of a tea leaf, is that Black Tea has been allowed to ferment, or oxidize, before being dried and processed into the tea leaves that we buy. Green Tea, on the other hand, is steamed right after it is picked, thereby preserving all the color, goodness and flavor right there in the leaf.
> Read more on Black Tea vs. Green Tea
Oxidation happens when the newly picked leaf comes into contact with oxygen. Much the same as what happens when you cut an apple in half. After a few minutes, the white, exposed flesh starts turning brown.
Another example of oxidation is that of rust on an iron bar that has been left unprotected outside in the elements for too long. Oxidation starts eating away at the iron bar.
The immediate steaming of Green Tea leaves prevents them from oxidizing.
Where does Green Tea come from?
These days, Green Tea is mainly produced in India, Taiwan, China and Japan.
Although, according to various Legends as well as the History of Green Tea, Green Tea originated in China more than 5000 years ago.
Green Tea was taken back to Japan by a Japanese Monk, Essai Moyan. Green Tea has been a part of Japanese culture ever since. Just look at the Japanese Tea Ceremony.
The ceremony was introduced by the monks as a calming ritual to bring peace to the soul and make them one with nature. These days, the modern Green Tea ceremony is performed in a Green Tea House.
Green Tea has a wide range of health benefits
In ancient times, both the Chinese and Japanese people used tea as a medicinal brew for all sorts of health problems.
Green Tea was used to fight, prevent and cure a wide range of illnesses. Even today, as the properties of Green Tea are studied, more and more health benefits are discovered.
Green Tea and Cancer Prevention has been the topic on many a
scientist's to-do list these days. These studies have proven very
successful in a controlled laboratory environment, but long term
population studies are proving difficult with all the uncontrollable
aspects and variables that need to be controlled. Needless to say, we
have a lot more healthy laboratory rats in the world today.
Green Tea and Nutrition
One of the many health benefits is the near zero count of calories in Green Tea.
Green Tea is considered a negative calorie beverage. This means that your body burns more calories than the Green Tea provides.
If used properly, along with a healthy diet and exercise, Green Tea makes the perfect aid to any weight loss program.
Other than weight loss and cancer prevention, Green Tea has also been shown to reduce the effects of aging.
With all these benefits being discovered in Green Tea, loads of
Green Tea products are surfacing around the world. From skin care to
hygiene, to energy drinks, and even chocolate.
Even the caffeine content in Green Tea has a different makeup than that of Black Tea, and coffee. The caffeine in Green Tea is good for your body and mind.
Green Tea is considered "Generally Safe" by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), but you should check with your doctor before switching over to Green Tea, especially if you have a sensitivity to caffeine.
In most cases, drinking Green Tea will do you good, but there can be some side effects for people with sensitivities to the properties. It would be advisable to get to know the side effects of Green Tea before permanently switching your daily beverage.
Related Articles
- Green Tea Plant
- Benefits of Drinking Green Tea
- Difference between Black and Green Tea
- History of Green Tea
- Properties of Green Tea
- Green Tea Products
- Caffeine Content in Green Tea