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Highly Recommended
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About Green Teas
Did you know that most of the free-radical fighters in green tea never make it to your bloodstream? But there's a solution.
Health Benefits. Over the last few decades green tea has been subjected to many scientific and medical studies to determine the extent of its long-purported health benefits. Some evidence suggests regular green tea drinkers may have lower chances of heart disease and developing certain types of cancer. Green tea has also been claimed useful for weight loss management.
Facts about Green Tea
Appearance. Green tea appears pale green when steeped. Many lovers of green tea prefer to drink their favorite tea from glass tea cups, so that they may enjoy its delicate tinge.
Flavor. The flavor of green tea is astringent and fresh, but stronger than white tea.
Antioxidants content. Green tea has a good concentration of antioxidants. The antioxidants in tea are called polyphenols, and all teas contain polyphenols to a varying degree. Because black tea is allowed to oxidize, antioxidants are broken down, lowering the antioxidant content in black tea.
Caffeine content. Green tea has a lower caffeine content than black tea. Green teas have about a third the caffeine content of a cup of coffee.
Packaging. Green tea comes in either bags, loose leaves, powder or pearls. Matcha green tea is a powder used in the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Gunpowder green tea is in "pearls" - rolled up teas that unfold beautifully when steeped.
Preparation. Green tea brewing time and temperature varies with individual teas. Green tea should be steeping in water at a lower temperature than black tea and for less time. The hottest brewing temperatures are 170°F to 185°F (81°C to 87°C) water and the longest steeping times 2 to 3 minutes. The coolest brewing temperatures are 140°F to 150°F (61°C to 65°C) and the shortest times about 30 seconds. In general, lower quality green teas are steeped hotter and longer, while higher quality teas are steeped cooler and shorter.
The Right Water temperature. Gyokuro, one of the highest grades, is best brewed at 122°F - 140°F (50°C - 60°C). Spring-picked Sencha tastes best at 160°F - 170°F (70°C - 80°C). Summer-harvested Bancha and Genmaicha will exhibit their best flavor with a short infusion at higher temperatures of 170°F - 185°F (80°C - 90°C).
Drinking. Green tea, however, should not be mixed with anything, but simply enjoyed on its own. The casein in milk or cream will neutralize the beneficial properties of the antioxidants.
Price. Green tea can be much higher than ordinary tea. Some rare green teas command quite a high price, but most are quite reasonable and have lots of flavor and all the health benefits.
Manufacture. Green tea is made from more mature tea leaves than white tea, and may be withered prior to steaming or firing. Green tea is a type of tea made solely with the leaves of Camellia sinensis, that has undergone minimal oxidation during processing.
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