Explore More About Green Tea

By Author: Robertson Shizuoka
Total Articles: 2
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The ‘Hero of Health’, ‘Weight checker’, ‘Magical Potion’, ‘Great Drink’ and many other praises have added a feather in the cap of green drink. Read along to know the nutritional value, health advantages and above all the basic types of green tea that will help you to choose right green tea as per your needs.
Get Acquainted with Green Tea

1.Nutritional Value

Green tea gets it characteristic taste, bitterness and stimulating effect from caffeine. Green brew is also rich in a group of chemicals, called Catechin Polyphenols or Tannins. These Tannins include Catechin, ECG, EGCG, asnd various Pro-Anthocyanidins.
The next important substance present in green tea is Flavonoids which are very powerful antioxidants. They are responsible for the potent flavour of green tea. Green tea also contains Amino Acids and variety of vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin C and vitamin E).

After this impressive nutritional value list, perhaps one can understand how green tea is a store house of nutrients and beneficial components.

2.Health Benefits of Green Tea

Green ...
... tea is adored by many because of its health benefits. The antioxidant properties that come from its caffeine, Catechin Polyphenols and Theonine content makes green tea a magical panacea. Here are some major health benefits of green tea stemming from antioxidant effects:

1. Anti-Aging
2. Stimulating
3. Immunity Boosting
4. Astringency
5. Anti-carcinogenic
6. Reducing Cholesterol
7. Cardiac & Arterial Health
8. Anti-diabetic
9. Weight Loss
10. Stamina & Endurance Booster
11. Detoxifying

3.Types of Green Tea
Green tea has four varieties of green tea that come from Japan. The factors on which green tea is categorised are-

• Leaf-Length
• Method Of Processing
• Season Of Harvesting

1.Gyokurocha:
Gyokurocha tea leaves are plucked from the tip of the branches so the brewed drink is green in colour. Moreover, it is less bitter due to the low tannin and caffeine content.

“Gyokuro, like all green teas, is an unfermented tea containing a variety of natural compounds, including flavonoids, polyphenols and proanthocyanidins. Practitioners of traditional Asian medicine use gyokuro to treat many ailments, including heart problems, diabetes and digestive disorders. Modern research indicates that gyokuro has significant health benefits.”source:livestrong

Gyokurocha has the great taste and aroma and is the healthiest tea of all types. The only pitfall is the high cost.

2.Sencha:
Sencha tea consists of leaves that are plucked from the middle of the branch. It is more bitter and stronger than the former variety. On infusing it gives a clear light colour. The tea leaves are bigger, less tender and older than Gyokurocha. Sencha is cheaper due to its less dignified origin and more caffeine and tannin content. However, Sencha types are cheaper and more popular.

3.Bancha:
Bancha is strong and bitter to taste. When prepared, it gives a golden brown tea. As Bancha is prepared from the tender twigs of the plant it is even cheaper than the previous two versions.

4.Matcha:
One of the antioxidants that matcha is especially high in is Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Matcha has up to 137 times the amount of EGCG as other infused green teas. This particular antioxidant has shown promising results in helping fight against HIV, cancer and many other disorders and diseases” Source:mnn

Japanese Matcha is powdered (Dust) green tea. Beautiful green-coloured Matcha tea forms a lot of foam when infused. It has a weaker aroma than its leafy counterpart. People love drinking Matcha as it is less bitter than the other three types.

5.Houjicha:
“Hojicha” is not a pure green tea. It is a combination of green tea and powdered roasted cereals. Thus the quality and price is dependent on the ratio of green tea to cereal content. More the green tea content, higher is the cost and greener is the drink when brewed. On the other hand, higher grain content teas are quite cheap and yield a golden brown colour when brewed.

6.Genmaicha:
Genmaicha again is not a pure tea. It is a fusion of roasted brown rice and green tea. When infused, it yields a golden yellow colour. However, the tea has great taste and aroma.
(Note: The above teas can come in decaffeinated form too)

7.Other Varieties: The major varieties of Japanese green tea are listed above. They are blended in different combinations to produce many more varieties.

Source : http://www.japanese-green-tea-india.in/over-organic-india-green-tea