BENEFITS OF GREEN TEA
Japan Sencha Yabukita
I. Benefits of Green Tea
1. Green Tea Contains Antioxidants in Abundance
Green tea contains polyphenol antioxidants, a superfood, that reduce inflammation in the body, a known trigger of premature aging. These antioxidants also proactively protect cells from damage that can lead to several chronic illnesses.
Green tea contains antioxidants called catechins, which have shown to calm the body's immune system by stimulating and accelerating the anti-inflammatory responses according to a study published in Bio Med Research International. (1)
2. Green Tea Supports Brain Health
Green tea is known to elicit an alert calm. As mentioned above green tea does provide caffeine, and also contains an amino acid called L-theanine, which produces a calming effect.
The combination of caffeine and L-theanine has also been shown to optimize brain function to enhance cognitive performance, and elevate mood. Green tea’s ability to counter oxidative stress also makes it a potent protector against neurological damage and diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
3. Green Tea May Support Weight Management
Some small studies have resulted in conclusions that drinking green tea or consuming green tea extracts helps maintain/regulate body weight. This is possible because green tea contains caffeine and catechins that may help improve our body’s fat oxidation processes.
In human and animal research, green tea has been shown to revive metabolism and stimulate fat burning. It is also linked to curbing appetite and preventing fat gain by inhibiting a process known as angiogenesis—the formation of new blood vessels on which fat tissue growth depends. Drinking green tea consumes stomach fat right away.
Whenever you change your eating regimen to begin another arrangement in which you consume more vitality than you expend, you'll likely "consume" off some extra fat mass (for a significant number of us, that is put away around the stomach zone, so you may see a bit of straightening out!). All things considered, not one single food or drink can "spot train" anyone parts! (5)
And speaking of the many benefits of tea, if you're interested in learning more—and slimming down, too—be sure to pick up a copy of The 7-Day Flat-Belly Tea Cleanse! Test panelists lost up to 4 inches from their waist! Available now in paperback!
4. Green Tea Protects Against Cancer
Green tea fends off cancer in a few key ways. The green leaves protect against damage caused by free radicals that trigger the uncontrolled growth of negative cells, which can lead to cancerous mutations. The anti-angiogenesis effect that helps prevent fat gain also works to block cancer from spreading.
Several clinical studies have shown that both black tea and green tea may protect against cancer but not necessarily prevent cancer. A study at Mary Land University Medical Centre on cancer included in its green tea overview, “researchers also believe that polyphenols help kill cancerous cells and stop their progression.”
Green tea has the highest impact on cancers of bladder, breast, prostate, and skin according to research. Having said that, research studies on other forms of cancer and the impact of drinking green tea have come up with conflicting results.
5. Tea Drinkers Live Longer
A study of 100,000 people who had no history of heart attack, stroke, or cancer participated via questionnaires. The sample was distributed over 15 provinces in China in 1998. The result: those who maintained a consistent habit of drinking tea, especially green tea had a much lower risk of heart disease associated with plaque build-up, and lesser risk of death. The European study boiled down to: Drinking tea at least three times a week meant healthy aging.
The cells of regular green tea drinkers have a younger biological age than non-drinkers, by about five years. Japanese research also shows that regular green tea drinkers live longer. In one study in older adults, those who drank the greenest tea were 76% less likely to die the six-year study period. (4)
6. Green Tea Supports Immunity
Green tea antioxidants aid as anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral agents that support immunity. Green tea anti-bacterial properties also fight bad breath. Also, green tea acts as a probiotic, beneficial food for the gut bacteria beneficial immunity. The antioxidants contain some of the highest concentrations of vitamin E and vitamin C of any substance and are essential in keeping your immune system health.
7. Green Tea Supports Bone Density
The antioxidants in green tea have shown evidence in protecting against brittle bones, bone loss, and reduction in the risk of fractures. Animal studies have found that a moderate intake of green tea benefits bone health by improving bone strength and quality.
One recent study looked at the connection between polyphenol-rich foods, including green tea, and osteoporosis. Researchers concluded that phenols influence bone mineral density by preventing oxidation-induced damage to bone cells as well as by reducing inflammation, which helps support bone building. (2)
8. Green Tea helps Balance Blood Sugar and Prevent Diabetes II.
A meta-analysis of 17 previously published studies looked at the relationship between green tea, blood sugar control, and insulin sensitivity in humans. Researchers found favorable effects. Green tea helps reduce fasting blood sugar levels, as well as values for Hb A1C, a measure of average blood sugar over the previous three months.
Another study in Japanese adults from 23 communities followed over 14,000 healthy people for five years. Scientists found that the consumption of green tea was inversely associated with the risk of developing diabetes, even after adjusting the data for age, sex, body mass index, and other risk factors. In other words, there is something about green tea that in itself is protective. (5)
9.Green Tea Supports Heart Health
Green tea is a multi-tasker. In addition to its anti-inflammatory effects and ability to guard against oxidative stress, green tea has been shown to protect the heart by reducing total cholesterol, “bad” LDL, blood pressure, and triglycerides, or blood fats. It also prevents the oxidation of LDL, a process that triggers a domino effect, which contributes to artery hardening and heart disease.
A higher intake of this beverage is also tied to a lower risk of stroke. Green tea helps you avoid coronary disasters of many types. For instance: Studies led in Taiwan and Japan, where green tea is devoured normally and reliably, may have a hereditary inclination to the constructive outcomes of green tea.
Population samples examined led in the U.S. and other countries, reliably connect drinking unsweetened adaptations of a tea as an option in contrast to sweet refreshments with improved heart-wellbeing and diminished danger of creating different kinds of constant infections — particularly ones identified with weight (2)— so continue sipping.
10. Green Tea Promotes Healthy Skin Aging
Studies show that polyphenols in green tea protect skin from the effects of ultraviolet (UV) light. This helps prevent freckles, dark spots, and pigmentation. That in turn helps prevent the acceleration of aging, in addition to offering cancer-fighting and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Green tea compounds also help defend against wrinkles, due to their ability to prevent the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers, which in turn forestall the loss of skin elasticity. Green tea is full of Vitamin B2 and Vitamin E, both essential for a radiant and smooth skin
According to specialists in the Good House keeping Institute's Health, Beauty and Environmental Labs: "Green tea catechins may help shield skin from UV harm, however, more examination should be finished with longer investigations to show the advantages of topically applying green tea remove. (2)
11. Fights off Allergies
A simple cup of green tea may help you overcome some itchiness in your eyes or a stuffy nose or such flue like symptoms, on many occasions,
Research studies suggest that a compound present in green tea can effectively block receptors responsible for triggering allergic reactions. EGCG, the abundant antioxidant in green tea may assist your body from increasing an immune response to a wide range of allergies, including pollen, pet dander, and dust.
12. Fights off Depression
People are facing more and more stress and anxiety in a world full of technology, that is supposed to ease our lives. Some of us find relaxation in the ritual of making tea from filling the kettle to steeping to sitting quietly and enjoying our cuppa.
Many studies have found that this ritual and drinking cup of green tea daily, lowers the level of stress due to cortisol hormone and this in turn lowers the risk of a person going into depression. Green tea also contains L-theanine that increases the activity inhibitory neutron-transmitter that have anti-anxiety effects. Green tea is most suitable for you if you are prone to mood- swings. (2)
13. Green Tea Improves Memory
We all use different things to make us mentally alert and active. Green tea is one such beverage that has caffeine (different green teas have different amounts of caffeine). Caffeine from green tea can make us alert and mentally active for longer periods than many other beverages like coffee that may give you a jump start on alertness but ware off fast and easily leaving a jittery effect.
Green tea on the other hand ensures that your brain neurons remain active for a longer period and neurotransmitters which play a major role in attention, memory, problem-solving, memory attention, and learning become enhanced. (3)
14. Green Tea Supports Digestion
Some researchers have concluded that tea catechins, like those found in green tea, slow down the actions of digestive enzymes. This slowdown means that the intestines aren't absorbing all of the calories eaten — so the body isn't gaining weight.
Researchers from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine recently looked at how green tea catechins known as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) may help in cases of colitis, an inflammatory disorder that disrupts digestive health. They found that EGCG may hamper the signaling pathways involved in colitis inflammation.
Some studies show that green tea could be an aid to digestive health — and its antioxidants may be the key. Additional research on ulcerative colitis and Cohn’s disease supports these findings on green tea benefits in cases of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
15. Green Tea helps Oral Health.
Sencha naturally contains fluoride which can keep your teeth and gums healthy. The natural fluoride in Japanese green tea helps strengthen the enamel and protects your teeth from getting cavities. However, coffee and tea can also stain your teeth, so keep brushing regularly.
II. More Information on our Unique Green teas.
Japan produces up to 20 different types of Japanese green tea. The variations come from the age, different processes the leaves go through before and after harvesting. This allows for a change in taste, color, and even caffeine level.
It’s rather difficult to procure from all regions due, logistics, restrictions, soil, cultivar and quality.
1. Gyokuro Tea – Gyokuro contains polyphenols that can help improve oral health by preventing cavities and bad breath. It also contains fluoride and minerals which can prevent tooth decay and other infections in the mouth. Studies have found that drinking Gyokuro green tea could also protect against gum disease and gingivitis.
The First flush of Gyokuro is one of the most revered among special green teas grown in Japan. Some Gyokuro green teas are grown in sugarcane soil and therefore make the tea leaves sweet and healthier. Gyokuro tea is grown under shade for 3 weeks and after steaming and drying its very tightly rolled into needles.
The shading:
- increases the L-theanine and caffeine levels
- helps amino acids to get stronger
- produces a sweeter and stronger flavor
- enhances the unique color of the leaves
- improves taste and flavor
The L-theanine content in Gyokoru tea is rich umami and this amino acid helps in making you happier or put you in a better mood.
Gyokoru green tea can be a blend of the best green teas with the best fruity, sweet or savory flavors. Ideally Gyokoru tea leaves must be steeped for 2 minutes so that their leaves open up completely as opposed to Sencha, one minute is enough to open up the leaves first time.
You can draw out almost 5 steeps of gyokoru by increasing the temperature each time and reducing the steeping time. Each subsequent steep brings out vegetal tastes like spinach and tomatoes with nutty notes towards the end.
Don from Mie Leaf, a tea connoisseur prefers to steep his unique gyokoru tea leaves first time in a pre -heated kettle, but water at room temperature and brewing the tea for 14 minutes to get the best of L-theanine and that real kick or bounce of energy.
2. Sencha Green Tea, Japan -is a deep green or Jade in color tea with an amazing smell especially when you just steep it for brewing.
Among the Senchas are the famous top Sencha Yame Saemidori from Saemidori cultivar that is broken into smaller needles than the Yabutika. Saemidori is essentially the first cut baby greens of light color harvested first time in April. This Sencha is a deep green with a more intense spinach flavor.
There are many types of Sencha: Shincha (the first Sencha of the season), Asamushi (lightly steamed), Chumushi (moderately steamed), Fukamushi (deeply steamed), Kabusecha (grown in shade or covered), Hachijuhachiya Sencha (picked on the 88th day after Risshun), Jo Sencha (high quality), and Toku Jo Sencha (extra high quality). Lightly steamed Senchas tend to be more mild in flavor whereas the deeply steamed Senchas tend to be very strong in flavor. It can be good to experiment with different types of Sencha to determine which you enjoy best.
Sencha Yabukita
Yabukita is a breed of tea bush, or 'chanoki', which is native to Shizuoka. This tea cultivar represents about 70% of the tea production area in Japan. It is known as an excellent breed, and its fragrance and flavor are generally considered the standard of Japanese green tea.
Source: The Teamakers of London Supreme Japanese Sencha-No. 69. This supreme Sencha green tea from Ise Bay, Mei perfecture Japan imparts an outstanding flavor and intoxicating fresh aroma.
Sencha Yabukita can have notes of juicy green apple and guava or completely grassy (different Senchas from Japan will have different smell and notes depending on the region and soil). The flavor can be grassy, floral, umami, or all at once if sencha from different regions is blended.
Cultivated and grown in shading process called Kabusecha to retain higher levels of chlorophyll, caffeine and L-theanine. In the final days before harvest the tea leaves are exposed to sunlight to increase the level of catechins. Good quality of Sencha will drop and roll down in the form of needles of somewhat similar size after completing the processing.
The difference between the Japanese Sencha and the Chinese Sancha is that the Japanese sencha is steamed for about one minute whereas, in China the leaves are heated in a pan.
The uniqueness of the Japanese steaming process is that within that one minute the enzymes that cause oxidation is deactivated. Tea leaves become softened after steaming. This is followed by oven drying process to bring down humidity levels to 4-7 per cent. Further the leaves are tightly rolled into needle shape and that's why they must be steeped for a full minute while brewing the first time.
Note: You can use the Sencha leaves 3-4 times and get different color, taste notes, strengths and flavors. The first brew is likely to be the sweetest or more savory. If you go beyond the third brew, you should up the temperature. It is said that the first three steeps give the most value of L-theanine, Catechins and Caffeine. The fourth or fifth steep will tend to be more dry, astringent and energetic or even bitter.
In the first steep as the leaves take a little time to open you can brew the leaves up to 2 minutes, but in the second or third steep you should brew only for a few seconds.
Hotter water will draw savory grassy tones with yellowish color tea while cooler water will draw more green color and sweeter notes. Yabukita is considered as the quint-essential flavor of Sencha Japanese tea. Sencha Yabukita is a well balanced flavor with almost no astringency and perfect umami.
The lesser time you brew, the more brothy and/or voluptuous after notes and maybe a dopamine kind of effect in your brain. The longer you brew the sencha the thinner notes and dryness may be present or even taste bitter. Green teas especially Senchas are all about bringing about that balance of the three main quality constituents at play:
- L-theanine amino acids (contributing to the thicker brothy and sweeter notes)
- Catechins (bringing about bitter and drier taste), and
- Caffeine giving (more dryness and astringency).
Steeping at a lower temperature will not release antioxidants, catechins, and caffeine, but release L-theanine. At the same time, you would want to enjoy quicker, the cooler brew before some valuable amino acids evaporate into the air.
3. Assam Green Tea- comes from Camellia Sanseis Var, Assamica plant originates from lowlands of Northern Himalayas in India. In fact, all 6 types of teas come from the same plant Camellia Sanseis Var Sanseis (whether it is China, Japan or India) they just vary slightly in name.
The Assamica strain grown in Assam region has high humidity, more rainfall, and warm temperatures which allow this larger, more robust tea variety to thrive. The Assamica plant will grow to between 30 and 60 feet. The Assamica leaf is ideal for producing strong, malty, green, oolong and black teas.
By Jarved India- Assqmic Leaf. What is Tea?
Assamica green tea has a smokier, robust flavor than other strains of Camellia Sanseis. Both varietals are used to make black tea. Most Indian tea is produced as black tea although you will find some estates producing green, oolong and white tea as well. The Assam tea leaves are characterized by large leaves with their malty smoothness. The Assamica Tea estate produces Organic, Green Adventure Tea, which is very delicious tea bordering light golden color with specs of green.
Because of their rich, malty, robust character, Assam teas make good breakfast teas that go well with and without milk. Assam teas with golden tips in them are the finest quality.
The British East India Company (4) was losing its monopoly on the lucrative tea trade with China by the middle of the nineteenth century. They sent Scottish botanist and curator of the Physic Chelsea Garden, Robert Fortune, to China to discover the secrets of their tea plants.
Fortune smuggled thousands of seeds and plants from China and stole the tea processing knowledge from Chinese manufacturers. He basically took China’s trade in tea and started supplying it to the British plantations in India. Since India was a British colony at the time, this gave the British their own tea supply from India instead of China.
Fortune’s adventures in agricultural espionage are detailed in the book For All the Tea in China: How England Stole the World's Favorite Drink and Changed History. It's really a fascinating story for all history buffs (4).
Even though tea is indigenous to India and was cultivated for thousands of years, it was the British East India Company that actually commercialized the mass production of tea on plantations. India is now the second-largest producer of tea, next to China.
The L-theanine and caffeine in green tea helps boost energy while keeping a person in a quiet alert state of mind. For this reason, we can say that, green tea is a nuetropic and productivity enhancer. L-theanine has been found to reduce anxiety and high blood pressure. EGCg is most abundant in green tea and it is best to have it 30 minutes before meals, as it is best absorbed in the small intestine.
Green tea has recently been proven to increase Dopamine and Serotonins in rats. Not only that in 2017 improvement in cognitive wiring in the brains of aging rats.
4. Darjeeling organic Green Tea – is of many varieties, visually beautiful to look at. The Darjeeling tea growing region has nearly ninety tea estates within seventy square miles. In addition to its small size, production is low due to its colder climate. Plant growth is slow, and harvesting is difficult, with tea plants growing on slopes of sixty or seventy degrees. Less than one percent of all India’s tea is produced in Darjeeling, so there is never enough tea for demand (4).
Darjeeling Green Tea - Organic
Darjeeling teas have a distinctly delicate and sweet-scent fragrance and flavor, and it can be vegetal in taste, but they are not overwhelming. There is a good reason they are well known as the world's best teas. They are from the plant Camellia Sanseis var Sanseis and less astringent than Assamica. This Himalayan tea develops the aromatic characteristic of muscatel grapes (4) due to its terrier and small leaf variety.
The first flush is the best in value and catechins that release the maximum amount of antioxidants. This tea is hand-picked, hand-rolled and then sundried. The tea is finally, lightly steamed to stop oxidation.
Green teas are mostly picked and rolled through mechanical processes in Japan and China, whereas they are mostly lightly hand-rolled in India.
Interestingly there is a moonlight green tea variety, that is picked in Darjeeling only in moonlight or before sunrise. This tea is rich, soft and of a creamy texture with a fresh lingering aroma. Moonlight white, black or green are sold at first auctions around US $1500 per Kg.
The tea is bright greenish yellow bordering on golden in color when brewed and is reusable. Too high water temperatures used tend to bring out a bitter taste from the catechins. Darjeeling green tea when properly steeped and brewed gives a thin bodied infusion and floral aroma.
5. Long Jing or Dragon Well Green Tea – Spring first flush is the best and stay away from any pickings of summer. The summer pickings tend to be bitter and really they all go into tea bags. The price of Long Jing depends on the region and the picking time of the year. Long Jing can quench your thirst with a remarkable chest-nutty, sweetness and ending with lemon zesty-ness.
Source: Teavivre.com Choosing the best Dragon Well Tea.
Try to buy it from good supplier and don’t always go by labels and first flush as you will end up paying top dollar. The Xieu Long Jing is the most expensive (may be like $200 per 100 gms). The tea from third and fourth flush is pretty good to have. In the end your taste is paramount. Long Jing or Dragon Well green tea in China is the considered and called as the Imperial Tea of China. Long Jing No. 41, 42 and 43 are considered as the better green teas.
Long Jing /Dragon Well green tea is the world’s best known green tea from China. This tea is made in large quantities different qualities and grown in varied regions and elevations in China.Long Jing green tea is Pan fried by machine and fired by hand second time or just fired by hand both times.
Long Jing tea is generally nutty, sweet, zesty and delicious to sip, all at the same time. It doesn’t matter what your tea-ware is (a Gawain, tumbler or cup) you can enjoy Long Jing if prepared well in terms of temperature of water, quantity of tea leaves and the length of time of steeping the leaves. Warming your tea-ware is an important factor, as well.
The more yellow the long Jing tea leaves more nuttier or roasted beans flavor whereas, the greener the tea leaves the fresher the taste.
You can brew and steep up to 6 or 7 infusions of a good long Jing tea. It will keep giving you lingering sweetness for a long time. After that you can turn the leaves into a salad or mix with rice, season with lemon and soya sauce and enjoy a treat.
Note: Pea green tea a bud and leaf or a bud and two leaves are considered fresh off the tea plant/ tea shrub/tea tree. Please don’t strain this tea, if you want to really enjoy the thickness and uplifting experience of a fresh green leaf Tea.
References
1.Sayed. N. “Everything you need to know about green tea”. editor@medicircle.in 12 June 2020.
2.Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, is Health's contributing nutrition editor, a New York Times best-selling author, and a nutrition consultant for the New York Yankees. 27 August 2019.
3.Guerra. J. “How is Matcha Energy different from Coffee?”. eatthis.com 13 June 2019.
4.Mary Ann Rollano, Tea Author- Life is Better with Tea. “How Theanine in Tea Can Make You Calm and Happy?”.17 March 2020
5.Lindsey. K, RD, and Director of Nutrition at Sun Basket, NY.
6.https://velvetfoam.com/best-sencha-tea/