Green tea is considered to be the king of teas: It is very authentic and at the centre of Japanese tea culture. Green tea is also rated highly in our corner of the world: its flavour is complex and multifaceted – and each type has its own character.
It’s not just taste that has made green tea so popular, but also its positive effect on health, fitness and well-being.
Why is green tea healthy?
Green tea comes from the tea plant Camellia sinensis and is gently produced. Tea bushes have been used in Asia for nearly 5,000 years as a medicinal plant. In the past, it was mainly consumed for its beneficial effect.
There have been a number of studies on many of the health-promoting properties. They have shown that green tea can lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of developing certain illnesses – such as diabetes, cancer or cardio-vascular diseases and angiopathy. It works against viruses, bacteria and fungal infections, inhibits inflammation and strengthens the immune system. As green tea burns calories and boosts digestion, it aids healthy weight loss.
Porcelain for the perfect tea experience –
Tea Passion Medina collection
It’s the substances in green tea that make it so effective: in addition to vitamins, minerals, trace elements and fatty acids, it also contains polyphenols (secondary plant substances) such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and amino acids such as L-theanine.
Many of the positive health benefits have been attributed to the anti-oxidative effect of secondary plant substances. They neutralise free radicals that could be harmful for the body. The caffeine in green tea also plays a part in the health-promoting effect. The fluorine content in green tea helps to prevent tooth decay and osteoporosis as it strengthens the enamel and bones.
Green tea comes from the tea plant Camellia sinensis and is
gently produced. Tea bushes have been used in Asia for nearly
5,000 years as a medicinal plant. In the past, it was mainly
consumed for its beneficial effect.
There have been a number of studies on many of the health-promoting
properties. They have shown that green tea can lower cholesterol
and reduce the risk of developing certain illnesses – such as diabetes,
cancer or cardio-vascular diseases and angiopathy. It works against
viruses, bacteria and fungal infections, inhibits inflammation and
strengthens the immune system. As green tea burns calories and
boosts digestion, it aids healthy weight loss.
It’s the substances in green tea that make it so effective: in addition
to vitamins, minerals, trace elements and fatty acids, it also contains
polyphenols (secondary plant substances) such as epigallocatechin
gallate (EGCG) and amino acids such as L-theanine.
Many of the positive health benefits have been attributed to the
anti-oxidative effect of secondary plant substances. They neutralise free
radicals that could be harmful for the body. The caffeine in green tea
also plays a part in the health-promoting effect. The fluorine content in
green tea helps to prevent tooth decay and osteoporosis as it strengthens
the enamel and bones.
Porcelain for the perfect tea experience – Tea Passion Medina collection
In Japan, green tea is prepared in a ceremony: it is traditionally prepared in a gaiwan, a Japanese tea pot, by pouring water over loose tea and infusing it several times. However, it is important to prepare it properly so as not to destroy any valuable substances. The temperature and seeping time are decisive. The recommended temperature of the infusion varies, depending on the type of tea – however, it shouldn’t be too hot.
Scientists have discovered that the concentration of nutrients in green tea is higher when the water is not hotter than 70 °C. Tea experts even recommend an infusion temperature of 50 - 60 °C for high-quality teas such as sencha and gyokuro. 70 °C is perfect for coarser twig teas such as karigane.
It’s all about the preparation – Tea Passion collection
High-quality green tea should usually seep for exactly two minutes. But there are exceptions: for instance, shincha should seep for one and a half minutes, high-quality teas such as gyokuro, however, can take three to four minutes. In principle, green tea should not seep for more than four minutes.
It should be seeped for longer if it is being drunk for its anti-inflammatory effect as the relevant substances are released slowly. When green tea is seeped for too long, it releases more tannins – the result: it tastes bitter. However, the tannins make the body absorb caffeine slower. When it is seeped for longer, green tea still has a stimulating effect, but the effect is gentler and lasts longer.
In Japan, green tea is prepared in a ceremony: it is traditionally
prepared in a gaiwan, a Japanese tea pot, by pouring water over
loose tea and infusing it several times. However, it is important to
prepare it properly so as not to destroy any valuable substances.
The temperature and seeping time are decisive. The recommended
temperature of the infusion varies, depending on the type of tea –
however, it shouldn’t be too hot.
Scientists have discovered that the concentration of nutrients in green
tea is higher when the water is not hotter than 70 °C. Tea experts even
recommend an infusion temperature of 50 - 60 °C for high-quality teas
such as sencha and gyokuro. 70 °C is perfect for coarser twig teas
such as karigane.
High-quality green tea should usually seep for exactly two minutes. But
there are exceptions: for instance, shincha should seep for one and a half
minutes, high-quality teas such as gyokuro, however, can take three to four
minutes. In principle, green tea should not seep for more than four minutes.
It should be seeped for longer if it is being drunk for its anti-inflammatory
effect as the relevant substances are released slowly. When green tea is
seeped for too long, it releases more tannins – the result: it tastes bitter.
However, the tannins make the body absorb caffeine slower. When it is
seeped for longer, green tea still has a stimulating effect, but the effect is
gentler and lasts longer.
It’s all about the preparation – Tea Passion collection
What is the most popular green tea?
There are thousands of different types of green tea. Many of them contain very different substances. In order to make the most of the health benefits of green tea, it is best to frequently vary the types you drink. As its positive benefits are mainly a result of the interaction between different substances. For instance, gyokuro, sencha and bancha complement each other perfectly.
Some of the most popular green teas are:
- Sencha: This tea is made from young leaves and buds and is very healthy. Sencha tastes mellow and fresh, slightly bitter with a balanced sweetness tone. It should be drunk in the morning because of its high caffeine content.
- Gyokuro: Young shaded tea leaves are used for making gyokuro tea. It continues to mature after it has been harvested, tastes delicate and slightly sweet, and sometimes has a subtle note of nori algae. It also contains a lot of caffeine, which makes it the perfect kick-start to the day.
- Bancha: This green tea contains less caffeine and is perfect for the evening. It is made from coarser tea leaves that come from a later harvest. Bancha contains many minerals and trace elements.
- Shincha: Shincha drinkers love its slightly bitter and sweet taste. Shincha is harvested early and contains a high amount of vitamins and fatty acids. It is a good choice for noon or the afternoon.
- Karigane: This tea is made from the twigs of sencha tea. It tastes tangy, with a light fruit note. Thanks to its low caffeine content, it is also suitable for the evening. Karigane contains many minerals, trace elements and L-theanine.
On the whole, you should make sure you choose pure tea. It contains more polyphenols than flavoured green teas or tea blends.
Organic teas are very healthy as pollutants are avoided during the production process.
Matcha is a special type of green tea. Out of all the green teas, it has the highest quality and the most health benefits. Matcha contains very many vitamins and nutrients as well as the highest concentration of health-promoting antioxidants.
This comes from the cultivation and gentle production of matcha. The tea leaves are left in the shade for several weeks before they are harvested in order to protect the valuable substances from direct sunlight. After they are harvested, they are dried gently. The stems and veins are removed by hand.
The inside of the leaves is stone-ground to a fine powder. High-quality matcha powder is used in traditional tea ceremonies in Japan. It is so fine that it dissolves in hot water to make tea and is then drunk. This allows the body to absorb more of the valuable substances than with other teas.
The popular matcha has become a lifestyle drink. The fine powder can be added to smoothies, muesli and drinks. However, traditionally prepared matcha tea, whisked until creamy, is still a special experience.
Matcha is a special type of green tea. Out of all the green teas,
it has the highest quality and the most health benefits. Matcha
contains very many vitamins and nutrients as well as the highest
concentration of health-promoting antioxidants.
This comes from the cultivation and gentle production of matcha.
The tea leaves are left in the shade for several weeks before they
are harvested in order to protect the valuable substances from direct
sunlight. After they are harvested, they are dried gently. The stems
and veins are removed by hand.
The inside of the leaves is stone-ground to a fine powder. High-quality
matcha powder is used in traditional tea ceremonies in Japan. It is so
fine that it dissolves in hot water to make tea and is then drunk. This allows
the body to absorb more of the valuable substances than with other teas.
The popular matcha has become a lifestyle drink. The fine powder can
be added to smoothies, muesli and drinks. However, traditionally prepared
matcha tea, whisked until creamy, is still a special experience.
