Green Tea

member of the Theaceae plant family

Green Tea

Other Name(s):

Camellia sinensis; Matcha; Sencha; Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)

Green tea thrives in warm, humid climates with high rainfall (~1150 mm - 1350 mm); it’s a very thirsty plant. The green tea shrubs grow and regrow leaves quite rapidly and healthy plants, given the right conditions, can be harvested every three months during harvest season. Crops can be harvested a total of four times between April and September. It’s claimed that green tea shrubs can yield a bountiful harvest from between 30 to 100 years!

Is Green Tea Faithful to Nature?

Yes.

Green tea is a natural ingredient with thousands of years of traditional use in Eastern diets and medicinal practises. It can be farmed sustainably using organic practises and traded fairly, supporting underprivileged communities.

Benefits: Why is Green Tea Used?

Great Antioxidant

Green tea extracts and oils contain EGCG which can help fight free radicals and prevent premature signs of ageing. Green tea is enjoyed as a brewed beverage for its antioxidant properties.

Weight Management

Green tea may be helpful as part of a healthy weight loss program.

Energy Booster

Green tea is enjoyed as a brewed beverage for its caffeine kick.

Serenity Inducing

Green tea is known for its calming-energising properties.

On the Shelf: Which Products Use Green Tea?

Green tea can be found on store shelves as loose leaf tea and in convenient tea bags. It enjoys use in some skincare and makeup products and is also available in supplement form. Green tea supplements can be found in either powdered leaf form (inside capsules) or as a concentrated extract.

Production: How is Green Tea Made?

After the leaves are harvested, they’re dried using a variety of techniques. It’s not uncommon for green tea leaves to be air dried or even pan fried in industrial-sized woks. Depending on the grade of green tea being made, the leaves can then be sorted by size, shape and other factors. The dried green tea leaves may also be further processed to make supplements.

Interesting Fact: Green Tea

Investigations made by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have determined that catechin doses, from green tea extract supplements, in excess of 800 mg per day may pose health concerns including, but not limited to jaundice. Do not exceed the daily recommended dose on these supplements, and always consume with a meal.

Matcha green tea is a special, ceremonial grade powder made from green tea leaves which have been grown in a special way. Before the green tea plants are ready for harvest, the farmers cover them with a shade cloth. In response to the lower light conditions, the plant goes a much deeper shade of green. It is said to be much more highly concentrated than regular green tea.

The average cup of green tea contains between 30 and 50 mg of caffeine but because it contains L-theanine as well, it won’t doesn’t give the ‘caffeine jitters’ many wish to avoid.

Notice: The information provided here is not intended as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.