A Guide to Green Tea

There are many tea lovers in the world. It is the second most popular beverage after water on a global level. We drink tea to calm down and relax, to satisfy thirst or just simply because we enjoy the taste. But what do we actually know about green tea? Do we know where it comes from and what benefits it provides us? Let`s take a look.

Camellia sinensis is an evergreen shrub. Its leaves are used to produce tea. Oxidation and the way tea leaves are processed determine the type of the tea. Oxidation gives unique taste and color to the tea. However, green tea leaves are not oxidized, they`re withered, steamed or heated, then rolled and dried. The biggest tea producers are Kenya, India, China and Sri Lanka. Indonesia, Japan, the former Soviet Union countries, Turkey and Iran are also well known for producing tea.

Health

Green tea has a sophisticated taste and a light green color. Many studies have been conducted to find the connection between green tea consumption and its effect on different diseases. However, the findings have been inconclusive and more research is still needed.

Green tea contains antioxidants which are believed to limit the growth of cancer cells and prevent cardiovascular diseases. It has anti-inflammatory properties, and some people use it for weight loss purposes. Drinking green tea may also bring cognitive benefits, prevent development of diabetes and reduce inflammation associated with ulcerative colitis and Crohn`s disease.

Caffeine content The recommended amount of caffeine is 400 mg/day which means that you can only drink 2.5 cups of coffee per day. While a cup of green tea consists of 15–50 mg of caffeine, you can enjoy up to 8 cups of it without having any adverse effects.

Variety

Even though there is a wide variety of green tea, it is all derived from the same plant. Location, climate and the way the tea is harvested influence the taste and type of tea. Some of the most popular green tea types include: Jasmine, Matcha, Dragon Well, Sencha, Shincha, Tencha, Hojicha, Gunpowder, Genmaicha, Kabuscecha, Kukicha.

How to drink green tea?

Try to enjoy and appreciate the natural flavor of your tea. If you prefer something more extravagant, try adding to your tea some of these ingredients:

• mint
• ginger
• fresh or frozen berries
• lemon
• orange peels
• cinnamon
• milk
• honey or agave syrup.

What are the other benefits of green tea?

• Tea can keep you warm and help with preventing a cold
• It goes well with a book
• It is a good gift
• There is a big variety of green tea, so there is always something to choose from
• Iced green tea is a healthy refreshment
• Another reason to meet with friends in a cafe or invite them over.