Green Tea Information – Why It's So Special

With all of the hype surrounding green tea these days, you may be wondering what this drink is, and why everyone is suddenly wild for it! Here is some green tea information to help you get to know this beverage that is gaining in popularity by leaps and bounds.

Green tea, like its cousins black, white and oolong teas, comes from the tea plant, Camellia sinensis. This plant is native to Asia, although it is now being cultivated in many other parts of the world.

The quality and type of tea you drink is dependent on several different factors. Quality loose green tea is made from leaves and buds that are picked early in the season. The tea is generally comprised of two leaves and the adjacent bud. Because both the leaves and buds are young, and therefore small, it takes a lot of them to make a relatively small amount of tea!

Tea Processing

After picking, the tea must be processed. This can be done in one of three ways, either by steaming, roasting or baking. The goal is to heat the leaves quickly, but to keep them from fermenting. The end result is tea that retains its green color and distinctive, grassy taste.

Health benefits

There are many reasons why green tea has become so popular in recent years. One is that it has less caffeine than black tea, making it a great choice for those of us who want to avoid the jittery feeling that caffeine can produce. Another is that green tea has been proven to be one of the healthiest foods available.

Green tea is full of compounds called polyphenols. These are powerful antioxidants, whose main benefit is cleaning free radicals from the system. Numerous studies have shown that green tea, taken daily, can reduce the risk of various types of cancers, as well as diabetes. It has also been shown to be a great aid in weight loss and in maintaining lower blood sugars and cholesterol. All of this from a cup of refreshing relaxing tea!

Want More Green Tea Information?

The best place to learn more green tea information is from a local tea shop. The dedicated tea lovers who run these shops know where their various types of tea come from, and in many cases know the farmers who grow them. Stop by for a sample and a head start on your way to becoming a green tea aficionado!

What are the 10 facts and 10 fallacies about green tea? Visit the Green Tea Facts and Information section of the my Chinese green tea guide to find out.

Also, are you ready to explode the popular myths and misconception of white tea?