Green tea benefits: Love to sound healthy

The effect of tea is cooling and as a beverage it is most suitable. It is especially fitting for persons of self-restraint and inner worth.” 
― Lu Yu, Classic of Tea: Origins and Rituals

Green tea is being used for its medicinal qualities for over thousands of years.  Considered to have originated from the Chinese provinces, there are different types of green tea cultivated and processed all over the world today likely in Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Bangladesh, New Zealand and Hawaii. Green tea is a quality beverage having multitude of uses from lowering of blood pressure to preventing cancer. Green tea leaves are extracted from Camellia sinensis plant and thus prepared by drying them upon steaming and pan-frying these leaves.

Steps of  Processing:  
STEP 1: Steaming/Roasting → STEP 2: Cooling → STEP 3: 1st Rolling → STEP 4:1st Drying (110°C/70°C) → STEP 5: Final Rolling → STEP 6: Final Drying (120°C/80°C)

Green tea processing
After being harvested from Camellia sinensis plant, the leaves are then pan-fried or steamed. Too much of steaming or pan-frying, turn the color of the leaves to darker brown and thus altering the fresh-picked flavor.
A brewed green tea is typically green, yellow or light brown in color. Upon correct brewing, most green tea must be quite light in color and remain in mild constrictive state. Green tea has a typical sweet, vegetal grass like flavor. Although it has varied range of taste to the palate, it always leaves you with an enigma for a superior flavor.

Before being rolled, green tea has to pass through a steaming treatment. Steaming helps the leaves to halt the oxidation process after which the leaves are rolled to shape. Too much of the oxidation process, may alter the light color and the flavor of the green tea. Thus, steaming helps exposing the freshness and the aromatic grassy flavor of the leaves of green tea.

7 Health advantages of Green tea ​

1. Weight Loss: Presence of two highly active elements, Caffeine and Catechins in green tea helps burning fat in our body resulting in weight loss. A cup of green tea contains 25-40 mg of caffeine which has a mild stimulating effect that helps increasing metabolism/ energy levels and Green tea also increases the metabolism in our body.
In the other hand, catechins are antioxidant compounds that regulate “norepinephrine”, a hormone in our body that helps stimulating fat cells to burn fat. Researchers mostly say that the combinations of both, caffeine and catechins works better towards breakdown of fats in the body.
2. Cure for Parkinson’s disease: The caffeine content in green tea is in between 2% to 4% and it helps stimulating the nervous system, heart and body muscles by releasing neurotransmitters in the body. It also affects thinking power, alertness and improvement of functionalities of brain messengers in Parkinson’s disease.
3. Effective in Heart diseases: Green tea apparently contains catechins and polyphenolic compounds that add protective lining of blood vessels to help them stay relaxed, which is a direct effort to withstand the changes in blood pressure.
Several studies have successfully conducted in different age groups to look at the after effects of drinking green tea and it has been found to have a significant lower risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases. It also protects against any formation of blood clots in the body.
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4. Skincare benefits: EGCG, a powerful antioxidant present in green tea helps combating UV rays from damaging DNA to prevent skin cancer. Green tea has also anti-aging properties within. The high content of polyphenol reduces skin irritation, swelling or redness. These anti-inflammatory properties make sit a great choice within people.
Green tea is also beneficial for hair growth. Leaf fibers present in green tea helps stimulating hair growth and increasing cell turnover in hair follicles.
5. Effect on sleep: Theanine, an amino acid present in green tea is a compound that works by reducing stress-related hormones and improves brain functionalities, helps in reducing stress and promotes relaxation of mind.
6. Improves Dental Health: Chemical antioxidant “catechins” destroys bacteria and viruses that cause throat infections, cavities or tooth decay. Catechins inhibits growth of tooth decaying bacteria that may cause plaque formations. Studies suggest, consumption of green tea lowers the risk of tooth decay and reduces risk of bad breath.
7. Lowers risk of being a diabetic: Type 2 diabetes is a disease that has reached epidemic proportions in the past few decades and now affects more than 400 million people worldwide. Elevated blood sugar levels and inability to produce insulin in the body increases the risk of diabetes. The antioxidants present in green tea helps regulating body glucose levels and increases insulin spikes.
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Hopefully, now you have a better idea and a clear motive to reach out for green tea. Green tea is not just limited to drinking it but also its application in skin related products makes it an unmatched product in the category.  There would be plenty of choices to find green tea online but the best takes you to Great Tea Road.

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Moroccan Mint

$2.00 - $9.95

Our Moroccan Mint tea has a full-bodied cup with a hint of smokiness and a smooth mouth-feel, and the aroma of spearmint. 

INGREDIENTS: Loose leaf green tea, Spearmint leaves, Natural Flavor

CAFFEINE LEVEL: Low

BREWING DIRECTIONS: 0.5 tea spoon| 8 oz Water| 2-3 minutes | 180F |

Extra: honey or sugar

**Do not over steep. It will result in bitterness.**

ORIGIN: China, USA

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Organic Midnight Roses

$2.65 - $13.95

Midnight roses tea is blended with green tea, roses and citrus, resulting in an alluring aroma of roses and citrus. The favor is light with a slight note of roses, oranges and a hint of smoky sweetness. 

INGREDIENTS: Loose leaf green tea, Rosehips, Rose Petals, Orange pieces, Natural Flavored.

GRADE: USDA Certified Organic

CAFFEINE LEVEL: Low

BREWING DIRECTIONS: About 1 tea spoon per 8 oz, 

steep for 2-3 minutes at 180F, recommended soft or purified water, add honey or sugar if preferred. Multiple brews. 

ORIGIN: Various

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Organic Japanese Sencha

$2.15 - $10.95

Our Organic Sencha is shipped directly from Tea farm in Kyoto area. It is grown in full sunlight and gives a light delicate flavor with subtle sweet undertones and an earthly, breezy fragrance. This tea provides an exceptionally smooth and refreshing experience. 

INGREDIENT: 100% Camellia Sinensis (Tea)

GRADE: USDA Certified Organic 

CAFFEINE LEVEL: Low

BREWING DIRECTION: Warm steeping recommended for this tea, multiple infusions. Also see our tea steeping tips page. 

ORIGIN: Japan

43-2-sen

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Organic Genmai Matcha

$10.95

Combining green tea leaves with roasted brown rice and matcha powdered green tea, this tea gives off a long lasting nutty aroma with extra boost antioxidant from matcha. Characterized by sweet buttery taste and vivid yellow color, this tea is a natural choice for many tea lovers. 

INGREDIENT: 100% Camellia Sinensis (Tea) and roasted rice

GRADE: USDA Certified Organic 

CAFFEINE LEVEL: Low

BREWING DIRECTION: Standard steeping recommended for this tea. Also try the cold water steeping method with this tea, see our tea steeping tips page. Multiple infusions. 

ORIGIN: Japan

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Roasted Green Tea (Houji Bancha)

$1.50 - $8.95

We love this tea from Nara, Japan. It is called Houji Bancha in Japanese. It has a nutty aroma. When brew, it has a darker chocolate color. It tastes is also nutty and no astringent can be found. Since it is very low caffeine level, many Japanese gives this tea to kids. It is also very nice to serve over ice. Multiple infusions. 
INGREDIENT: 100% Camellia Sinensis (Tea)
GRADE:  Organic Tea
CAFFEINE LEVEL: Very low
BREWING DIRECTION: Standard steeping recommended for this tea. Also try the cold water steeping method with this tea, see our tea steeping tips page. Multiple infusions.
ORIGIN: Japan

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Okumidori Sencha

$3.25 - $16.95

From a 400-years old tea farm in Nara, Japan. Mixing spring and autumn harvest, this tea is light sweet with light vegetable / spinach like and very little stringent even when you make a mistake during brewing process. Multiple infusions. 
INGREDIENT: 100% Camellia Sinensis (Tea)
CULTIVAR: Okumidori
CAFFEINE LEVEL: Low
BREWING DIRECTION: Standard steeping recommended for this tea. Also try the cold water steeping method with this tea, see our tea steeping tips page. Multiple infusions.
ORIGIN: Japan

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Matcha Toshiyasu

$22.95

We sourced directly from Mr. Hatayama's tea farm in Uji, Japan. He carefully selected the cultivar and its mixed. It is very soft, smooth and light grass-y aroma. This tea is a ceremonial grade which can be used for Usucha, thin tea. Not appropriate for Koicha, thick tea.

INGREDIENT: 100% Camellia Sinensis (Tea) Certified Organic

CAFFEINE LEVEL: Low

ORIGIN: Japan

BREWING DIRECTION: About 1/2 tea spoon (or about 2 bamboo scoops) at 175F per 6 oz, use bamboo whisk and whisk it in a W motion. 

Also see our tea steeping tip section for other use of Matcha Green Tea. 

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Peach & Apricot

$1.95 - $9.95

High quality gunpowder green tea with peach & apricot flavor. It is very good to serve either hot or cold tea.

INGREDIENTS: Gunpowder Green Tea.  Natural Flavor.

CAFFEINE LEVEL: Low

BREWING DIRECTIONS: 1 Tea spoon | 7oz Water | 2-3 Minutes | 150 F ​

ORIGIN: Various ​

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Organic Kabusecha

$3.75 - $17.95

The tea trees are covered to reduce the plants’ exposure to the sun for more than 10days just before the harvest. It is for increasing amino acids (umami ingredient). The tea gives off delicate scents like Gyokuro tea. This Kabusecha tea is a balance between Sencha and Gyokuro teas.

INGREDIENTS: Tea

CAFFEINE LEVEL: Low

BREWING DIRECTIONS: 1 Tea spoon | 7oz Water | 2-3 Minutes | 150 F ​| Multiple infuses.

​ORIGIN: Japan

17124-1-kab

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Jade snail green tea

$2.00 - $9.95

Light, delicately grassy aroma, with fuzzy and tightly rolled leaves that open up nicely after brewing. It gives a light body and can brew several times. 
INGREDIENT: 100%  Camellia Sinensis  (Tea) 
CAFFEINE LEVEL: Low 
BREWING DIRECTION: About 6 grams per 8oz, 90c for two minutes. Multiple brew. 
​ORIGIN: China

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Organic Antioxidant Booster

$2.15 - $10.95

Want to increase antioxidants? Not only that, we mixed this tea to achieve highest possible of antioxidant and vitamin C in one tea. Its aroma is similar to cranberry. Yum!

INGREDIENTS: Tea (Camelia Sinensis), Rosehip, Hibiscus, Rooibos, Elderberries, Cinnamon.

GRADE: USDA Certified Organic

CAFFEINE LEVEL: Low

BREWING DIRECTIONS: About 1 tea spoon per 8 oz, steep for 2-3 minutes at 180-195F.

ORIGIN: Various

81497-2-ant

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Jasmine Dragon Pearl

$3.00 - $16.95

Large and beautiful pearls which unfurl when infused into full tea leaves. This is an exquisite jasmine green tea. Very delicious!

INGREDIENT: 100% Camellia Sinensis (Tea) 

CAFFEINE LEVEL: Low

BREWING DIRECTION: About 4-6 pearls per 8 oz, steep for 2-3 minutes at 180F, recommended soft or purified water. 

EXTRA: Multiple infusions. Try it with ice or cold tea. 

ORIGIN: China

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