Search:

Before You Buy Green Tea - Read This First!

Green tea leaves have long been used throughout Asia as medicine for poor digestion, body aches and pains, headaches and general improved well being.

Little processing is required to produce a good green tea. Normally the leaves are dried immediately after harvesting or briefly treated with steam prior to natural drying. Some types of tea that are also lightly roasted. Because of this natural processing, the leaves are able to keep their green color and importantly they keep the extremely valuable ingredients that contribute to their much recorded healing properties. Green tea leaves contain some caffeine, tannins, essential oils, proteins, vitamins, minerals and trace elements such as fluoride, zinc and potassium.

Green tea is naturally found to be rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are used by the body to protect cells from free radicals (unstable molecules found in our cells) damage. Too much damage, over time, could lead to diseases which includes cancer. As part of our body cell renewal, antioxidants attach themselves to free radicals and this results in the neutralization these molecules. Drinking green tea frequently has been linked (confirmed by research) with the prevention of cancer; it lowers high blood cholesterol, prevents harmful blood clotting and acts to minimize the risk of strokes.

Green tea is very good for arthritis sufferers because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

As reported earlier, Green Tea has some caffeine which helps invigorate and improve concentration.

Green tea is also antibacterial and the trace element fluorine helps to fight tooth decay. Just one cup of tea a day will be beneficial in the prevention of decay. Green tea is also ideal after dinner as a palette cleanser.

Many Naturopaths recommend green tea to cleanse the body. It is a useful addition to all types of detoxification diets. It contains no calories, no carbs and is referred to as the 'fat eater' in China due to its cholesterol-lowering properties.

Green tea is an excellent thirst quencher. It is enjoyed at any time of the day and is also delicious hot or cold. Try it with a squeeze of lemon, over ice for a very refreshing drink.

Usual Preparation of The Tea: Use one level teaspoon of tea leaves per cup. Boil your water and then let the water sit for a couple of minutes - to cool slightly. Boil to 70 degrees Celsius if you have one of those fancy kettles. Pour the water over the tea and leave the tea to brew.

Allow the tea to brew for a couple of minutes - too long can produce a slightly bitter taste.

Brewing the tea for 4-6 minutes yields a less stimulating and stronger tasting tea.

Special Note: The caffeine in green tea can cause heart palpitations in extra sensitive people. To reduce the amount of caffeine in your tea, put one teaspoon of leaves in your cup, pour a little bit of hot water over it and allow it to stand for 30 seconds then strain. Now use the leaves to prepare your tea as usual.