What is Green Tea?

Green tea and black tea comes from the same plant species, the Camellia Sinensis. It is the variety of the tea plant and how the leaves are processed that defines how green tea becomes green and how black tea is black.
Once harvested, leaves are then quickly heated either by pan frying or by steaming then dried to prevent too much oxidation which can turn green leaves brown and alter their flavor.

Process:

Steaming/roasting – cooling – 1^st rolling – 1^st drying – final roll – final drying

Green tea when made is typically green, yellow or light brown in colour. It can taste grass like, toasted to veggie-like, sweet and seaweed-like. When brewed correctly, green tea should have a light colour and is only mildly astringent.

Not all green teas taste the same. This depends highly on the processing method also the cultivation practices done by tea growers. A tea’s flavour also depends on the environment the leaves were grown in.

The most widely consumed green teas are from China and Japan. Both places process their green tea differently. Steamed in Japan and pan fried in China.

Known for its Weight Loss Abilities, what is the science of this?

Studies have shown that green tea can increase fat burn and help in losing weight. It is more than just flavoured water, when drinking a cup of tea, you are digesting beneficial substances with potent effects.

A cup of green tea contains less caffeine than a cup of coffee but still has enough caffeine to feel it mildly. Caffeine is well known for aiding in fat burn. Where green tea really shines is in its range of antioxidants, a specific one being catechin.

EGCG or Epigallocatechin Gallate is a substance that can boost metabolism.
To burn fat, it must be broken down in fat cells and be moving in our bloodstream. Catechins aids this process by boosting the effects of fat burning hormones.

Catechins also inhibits enzyme that breaks down norepinephrine hormone which then increases in the body.

Besides Losing Weight, what other Benefits does Green Tea Have?

Other benefits of green tea include:

• It reduces risk of heart disease. Antioxidants in green tea helps block oxidation of bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol.
• Improves artery function
• Green teas are high in flavonoids. These are a diverse group of plant chemicals found in almost all fruits and vegetables which are also responsible for their vivid colours. They are powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and immune system benefits.
• Catechins, a flavonoid more powerful than vitamin C and E prevents oxidative damage to cells.
• Drinking green tea reduces the risk of skin, breast, lung, colon oesophageal and bladder cancer.

How to drink Green Tea?

Scientists found that the best way to consume Green tea is by having 2 to 3 cups a day. Make sure to steep your Green teas for at least 3 to 5 minutes to allow the catechins to come out. Best when drank freshly brewed.

Since green tea is an herb, it can impede absorption of iron from fruits and veggies. This however can easily be countered by adding lemon or milk or by drinking them in between meals (Harvard Health).

It is also important to remember that herbs contain active substances that may trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements or medications.
Drinking large amounts of caffeinated Green tea for long periods of time is not ideal as you may experience irritability, insomnia, heart palpitations and dizziness. Too much can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches and loss of appetite.

While tea doesn’t really go bad, it does get stale. Stale tea does not taste good. Since the process of Green tea is that it is less oxidized than that of black tea, it is more delicate thus should be consumed more quickly for maximum flavour experience.

Green tea is best consumed within 6 months to a year of purchase and should always be stored in a cool, dark place, away from light, oxygen, moisture. It should also be separated from condiments such as coffee and spices.  

Where to get Green Tea?

For caffeine sensitive people who just wants to enjoy a cup before bed, good news is, there are decaffeinated. Although the process that removes caffeine from Green tea does remove some of its healthy compounds, decaffeinated Green tea still does contain healthful benefits.

Try our Slimming Green Organic Tea Bird Tea now!!!

We have them in different pack sizes.

Our Green teas are organic and low in caffeine. Sweet and refreshing Australian sencha.  Pure and natural.

Try this Green Tea Recipe:

Citrus Mint Iced Tea

Ingredients:     

6 Green tea teabags
½ cup of fresh mint leaves
3 oranges
3 lemons
3 limes
6 cups of boiling water
¼ granulated sugar / honey
1 handful of ice cubes
 
Preparation Method:
In a large teapot, insert teabags, mint leaves, cut up slices of orange, lemon and lime. Pour in boiling water and steep for 10 minutes. Strain into a large pitcher. Add sugar or honey and stir until dissolved. Serve over ice.