Camellia Sinensis: tea
Green tea is made from Camellia sinensis, the same plant as ordinary tea. Unlike black tea, it is not processed in the same way. Only the young leaves are used. They are minimally processed to preserve their natural polyphenols, antioxidants and delicate flavour.
Unlike black tea, it is not oxidised. This produces a pale green drink with a light, fresh flavour. If you are used to a typical British cuppa, green tea can take a little getting used to but it’s worth the effort.
Green Tea for Health
Green tea is rich in polyphenols. The best known are catechins, which have been widely studied for their antioxidant and health properties. Green tea consumption has been associated with a range of health benefits.
Recent research suggests there could be significant health benefits from drinking green tea. In the East, where there is a long tradition of drinking green tea, this has long been believed.
Studies have also suggested that green tea may help slow the progression of prostate cancer
More information:
A bowl of Green Tea ready to drink without sugar or milk
Lower Caffeine
Green tea contains caffeine, but less than coffee. The caffeine in green tea is traditionally thought to have a different, more gently uplifting nature than caffeine in coffee. Though the difference is probably due to other compounds in the two drinks.
If you want to cut down on caffeine, you can re-use the tea leaves – or bags – two or three times. Caffeine is very soluble in water, so most is released in the first cup and subsequent cups will contain much less. If you want completely caffeine-free, it is best to buy organic.
How to Make Green Tea
Green tea should be made with water much cooler than boiling—about 70–80°C. Good-quality green tea is expensive to buy, but the same leaves can be infused several times, making it much more economical.
