Green Tea

Green tea is the least oxidized or processed tea type. It is made from young tea leaves plucked towards the close of the flush or harvest season, after the production of white, oolong, and black teas. Although green teas are made from the Camellia sinensis leaves it does not undergo the same withering and oxidation process used to make oolong teas and black teas. While this tea originated in China, it is now widely produced in almost every tea growing region of the world. Fresh and organic green teas hold the most benefits.

It’s a well-known fact that green tea originated in China but do you know how green tea came into existence? Well, as detailed in history, green tea was invented during the reign of Emperor Shennong. As the story goes during one of Shennong's travels, his convoy stopped to rest. During the rest period, a few tea leaves fell into his cup of hot water from a burning tea twig that lay nearby. The water turned dark in color, but it went unnoticed by the emperor. When he consumed the water, he found it to be extremely refreshing and requested the members of his convoy to prepare it for him henceforth. And thus, was born this amazingly healthy beverage.

Fresh loose leaf green teas are the favourites among fitness enthusiasts. Along with White tea, it is among the least oxidized of all teas. So, the best green teas have high antioxidants and are low in caffeine, in contrast to the high caffeine Black tea. The catechins and antioxidants in green tea leaves boost metabolism and act as anti-ageing agents helping you keep in shape. Numerous recent studies have demonstrated that the aqueous extract of green tea polyphenols contains antimutagenic, antidiabetic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and hypocholesterolemic properties.

1. Improve brain health
2. Reduce the risk of cancer
3. Improved metabolism and encourages weight loss
4. Lowering the risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
5. Kill bacteria, which improves dental health
6. Lower the risk of type 2 diabetes
7. Reduces the risk of Cardiovascular disease

To manufacture green tea, freshly plucked tea leaves are heated at a very high temperature for a fixed period of time, followed by rolling and drying. However, fresh leaves can be heat-treated in a variety of ways, depending on the style of green tea desired. Further, green teas are not graded like black teas; instead tea producers have a grading system based on the style and the size of the finished leaf. Broadly, there’s the folded leaf green tea such as the Chinese Longjing and Japanese sencha, and the twisted leaf, such as the Chun Mee or Nepal’s Ilam greens.

Orthodox green tea offers a greater variety of fragrance and flavors that range from cooked vegetables and charred greens to grass, nuts, and citrus. This comes from the manufacturing stage, when slight changes in processing method can impact the chemical and aromatic composition of the green tea.

Indian green teas mostly hail from estates in Darjeeling, West Bengal. Darjeeling green teas are grown in high altitudes and hence have the unique astringent flavour to them. Nilgiri green teas have distinct vegetal notes and a very strong taste. There are some green tea flavors like Mint Green that are very popular and some which are blended with herbs like chamomile tea or basil green tea.

Several studies have stated that the flavonoids and caffeine present in green teas can help elevate metabolic rate, increase fat oxidation which may eventually lead to weight loss. However, weight loss benefits vary based on different dynamics, but even drinking as little as 2.5 cups of green tea per day have shown positive results.

If you’re all about that green tea while on a weight-loss mission, you might want to choose Matcha green tea. Matcha is the best green tea when it comes to being the richest green tea source of nutrients and antioxidants. However drinking green tea alone can't help you shed extra weight, with a combination of the right diet and a daily exercise routine, you'll be on the right track.

Because of its popularity, fresh green tea leaves have become easily available across the globe. You can enjoy your favorite green tea by either brewing fresh loose leaf green tea or you can buy green tea bags, which is a more popular option these days. However, the best green tea to buy is loose leaf green tea as it offers more nutrients and has a higher antioxidant content than green tea bags.

The best part about including green teas in your diet is that you can buy green tea online in a variety of flavors and combination. From Moroccan mint green tea to Lemon dew green tea, you'll be spoiled for choice when buying green tea online. Green teas are also great at relieving stress. A nicely brewed cup of fresh loose leaf green tea can help you start or end your day stress-free.