The tea production process is complex, beginning with the plucking of the excellent leaf – two leaves and a bud – and ending with the final tea leaf that you see. Green tea is mostly produced utilising the traditional tea production technique that has been in use for over a century.
People have consumed green tea for its health advantages for centuries. Drinking green tea may enhance skin health, help in weight loss, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Tea is the second most consumed beverage after water, and green tea plays a big role in this. Green tea is one of the earliest methods of drinking tea, made from the Camellia Sinensis (tea tree) plant. Green tea’s history dates back to the Tang Dynasty (China) when it was termed Classic Tea. It is often known as ‘True Tea,’ since it undergoes the least amount of processing of any tea variation. It is mostly manufactured in China, India, and Japan, where tea consumption is highest.
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The Processing Method Of Green Tea – How It Is Different From Other Teas
Green tea, like other teas, is made in three steps:- growing the plant,
- harvesting the leaf,
- processing the leaf into finished tea.
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Growing Green Tea:
Green teas thrive in two types of environments: sunny and shaded. Shade-grown teas are often connected with greater umami and higher levels of L-Theanine, an amino acid associated with feelings of calm and relaxation. The Japanese are experts in shade-grown green tea plants. However, throughout most of the world, the tea bush is grown in the sun or naturally semi-shaded areas, including India and Nepal.
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Harvesting Green Tea:
Green tea leaves are typically plucked from the bud of the tea shrub and the first one or two leaves below it. The best green teas in India and Nepal are made with leaves harvested in the spring or early summer, before the plant switches to late summer explosive growth or autumn pre-hibernation maintenance. During the monsoon season, some producers produce green tea. Although, they are typically bland.
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Processing Green Tea:
The process from harvesting to the final product should be completed within 24 hours, so the tea maker must act swiftly. Based on the region and making style, sometimes the first step is to wither the leaf a little so it becomes easier to shape. Often this first step is skipped in India and Nepal and goes directly to the next stage.
The Difference Between Green Tea And Black Tea
Both green tea and black tea come from the same plant and the process of harvesting is almost the same. The primary distinction between green and black tea is the manufacturing process. While green tea is not oxidised, black tea is fully oxidised. To lower moisture content, black tea leaves are collected and subsequently withered.
Health Benefits Of Green Tea
Drinking green tea regularly may help you control and dodge several chronic health problems. Numerous advantages of green tea have been discovered so far in studies.
Here are some benefits of green tea for your health, along with advice on how to include it in your diet.
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Helps lose additional weight
The consumption of green tea is a highly successful method of weight loss. This is because green tea contains a lot of caffeine and catechins, two compounds that help the body burn calories naturally through a process called thermogenesis.
Additionally, it has been demonstrated that the EGCG in green tea boosts metabolism to aid in weight reduction. Don't be shocked if you soon step off the scale with a grin when paired with a balanced diet and appropriate activity!
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Make your skin look great
Our skin progressively loses its suppleness as we age, which causes wrinkles, fine lines, and other undesirable indications of ageing to appear. The good news is that research suggests polyphenols found in green tea extract can increase skin suppleness and help anti-ageing. But the advantages don't end there. Additionally, green tea has been shown to lessen acne-related bumps and outbreaks while also protecting the skin from UV rays to reduce oxidative stress.
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Maintain proper brain function
It's understandable why we feel mentally drained during the day when we have so many obligations to our families, job deadlines, and personal tasks to do. Green tea, however, is a fantastic elixir that may help you stay focused.
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Lowers the risk of cancer
Uncontrolled cell development is the root of cancer. It is among the leading causes of death around the globe. Green tea has potent antioxidants that may help fight cancer. Numerous observational studies indicate that green tea drinkers are less likely to develop several malignancies.
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Boost your immunity system
It is more difficult for our bodies to recover from an illness if they don't have a strong immune system. Clinical studies, however, indicate that regular use of green tea may give your immune system the upper hand since it contains flavonoids and polyphenols.
It does, however, get better. Green tea's EGCG has also been demonstrated to boost the body's inflammatory response, which is beneficial for joint health as well as issues with the common cold and flu.
How To Prepare Green Tea
Green tea may be sweet and delicate or unbearably harsh. You may use premium tea bags, loose leaves, or matcha powder to brew the ideal cup at home. Whatever technique you use, make sure to use fresh water that isn’t too hot and avoid overstepping the tea. Green tea is fantastic on its own, but you can also flavour it with honey and lemon. A perfect cup of tea can be prepared in several ways. Here let’s discuss the easiest and most efficient way to brew a cup of green tea.- Boiling the water and letting it cool down for a few minutes will bring out the finest in the delicate tea leaves.
- To unleash the tea’s enticing scent, pour water over it.
- Give the tea up to two minutes to infuse. You can brew for a little longer if you like a stronger flavour, but be careful—over brewing might result in bitterness.
- Strain and pour the tea into a cup, then savour your pleasantly refreshing tea!
Best Time To Consume Green Tea
The majority of people believe that the ideal approach to maximise the advantages of green tea is to consume it on an empty stomach. However, drinking green tea every morning might harm your liver and have negative effects. Additionally, the caffeine in it has the potential to promote dehydration and encourage the production of gastric acid, both of which can result in an unsettled stomach or possibly an ulcer.
Green tea must be consumed in between meals to unleash the full benefits of its antioxidants. It should be consumed at least two hours before and two hours after eating. Drinking green tea with meals can reduce nutritional intake and hinder the absorption of iron and minerals from food. However, drinking green tea between meals will guarantee that the catechins (antioxidants) do not react with the caseins contained in animal protein or milk.