Green Tea - Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you want to know about Green Tea

What is green tea?

Green Tea is a type of tea made from Camellia sinensis. The drink brewed from the dry leaves is a popular beverage in Asian Countries and is one of the most popular beverages in Japan and China. It is gaining popularity worldwide because of its numerous health benefits.

What is the history of green tea?

There are many versions of the History of Green Tea, the most popular and oldest documented book dates back to a book written by Lu Yu in 600-900 AD (Tang Dynasty), "Tea Classic". The Kissa Yojok Book of Tea, written by Zen priest Eisai in 1191, describes the benefits of green tea and its effect on five vital organs. These books are considered important in green tea history.

How is green tea made?

Green Tea is made from the same tea plant from which we get White, Oolong and Black tea. Green Tea is non-fermented, which means that it does not undergo oxidation. The processing method is different (fixing, rolling and drying).

Fixing: After plucking the leaves are taken to the factory immediately where the leaves are “fixed” or de-enzymed by application of heat, this stops the leaf from turning brown/oxidizing.

Rolling: Once fixed the leaves are either rolled by hand or put into a rolling machine and given shape.

Drying: After rolling, the leaf is dried in either industrial dryers or pans. Drying is carried out until the moisture content is reduced to about 1% of the total weight of the leaves

Is green tea good for health?

Green Tea has been around for many centuries and ancient documentation by the Chinese which dates back to 1191, (Kissa Yojok Book of Tea), written by Zen priest Eisai, describes the benefits of green tea. Modern-day research shows that regular consumption of green tea is known to reduce cholesterol, aid in burning fat and reducing cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Does green tea help in weight loss?

Green tea is one richest natural source of antioxidants called polyphenols (specifically epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), catechins, theaflavins, tannins, and flavonoids). These antioxidants are known to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-cancer health benefits. Green Tea is also known to aid weight loss, control glucose, and is also a photo-protective agent which protects the skin, prevents tooth decay and promotes bone density.

Is Green Colour added to make the green tea?

No colour, preservatives, additives are added to Green Tea. The tea leaves are processed in a way to keep their original character, after brewing loose leaf tea, the leaf should be green.

Does green tea have Caffeine?

Yes, Green Tea does have caffeine approx 8 mg to 30 mg, this helps the brain remain alert.

How to identify a good green tea?

After you have brewed the green tea, the tea leaves should have its original character. Which means that the tea leaves should turn green, you can take a leaf and chew it to see if it is bitter. Good green tea will have no after bitter taste.

Why does green tea taste bitter?

The bitterness can be attributed to astringency, lower the astringency the better the green tea. It basically means that good green tea will never be bitter.

Is flavoured green tea good?

Flavoured green tea has been around for centuries. China is the largest producer of green tea in the world, to make it interesting they added herbs, flowers and fruits to make the green tea more palatable. Today there are many flavours of green tea available in the market. Popular flavours are Jasmine Green Tea, Cinnamon Green Tea, Tulsi Green tea, Lemongrass Green Tea, Rose Green Tea,