Hello, everyone!
If you have ever traveled to Japan, you have drunk green tea at least once.
The drinking of green tea has been a long-standing tradition in Japan, and in fact, it has some wonderful benefits for your health. This article will introduce the benefits of green tea.You will want to drink more green tea.
Teas and Types
Tea is classified into three categories according to the method of production: unfermented tea, fermented tea, and semi-fermented tea.
Fermentation of tea refers to the oxidation of polyphenols contained in tea leaves, which is done by rubbing tea leaves to activate oxidizing enzymes. As fermentation progresses, the color of the tea leaves changes to brown and the aroma component increases. Non-fermented tea (green tea) is made by heating (steaming) the tea leaves quickly after plucking to stop the fermentation process. Semi-fermented tea (oolong tea) is made by heating the tea leaves during fermentation.
Gyokuro
Gyokuro tea bushes are covered with cloth or reed screen (covered culture) approximately 20 days prior to picking. By limiting the amount of light that reaches the new shoots while they are growing, the generation of catechins from amino acids (theanine) is suppressed, resulting in lower astringency and a rich flavor.
Sencha
Sencha is the most frequently drunk and well-known variety of green tea. It is made according to the most common processing methods, whereby the leaves are steamed and rolled to produce crude tea.
Bancho
Tea made from hardened or overgrown tea leaves and stems.Bancha is a tea rich in catechins that has been exposed to the early summer sun, and is not a high-end sencha, but a household tea for everyday use.
Matcha (powdered green tea)
Matcha is made by grinding the raw material for matcha in a stone jar.Dark Matcha (Koicha) is used in Japan’s traditional tea ceremony, and was previously made from the leaves of very old tea bushes – over 100 years old.
Matcha is used extensively in the making of traditional Japanese confections and various savory dishes.
Hojicha
Hojicha is made by roasting sencha or bancha over high heat to bring out its aroma.Therefore, the amount of caffeine is very low and can be enjoyed by children or before bedtime.
Ingredients and Benefits of Green Tea
Tannin
A type of polyphenol, tannins in green tea are classified as catechins. They are the astringent taste of green tea and also have a mild sweet aftertaste. When left in the air, it turns brown.
Catechins have a strong antioxidant effect and are effective in preventing lifestyle-related diseases that have been on the rise recently, such as arteriosclerosis, cancer, and hypertension. They also have a strong sterilizing effect, preventing bad breath, tooth decay, and food poisoning.
Caffeine (alkaloid)
Dissolves well in warm water and has a bitter taste. It also has a stimulant, cardiotonic, and diuretic effect. It is especially abundant in young leaves, which contain 4.6% of matcha, 3.0% of gyokuro, 2.8% of sencha, and 2.0% of bancha.
Caffeine has the effect of waking up sleepy and activating brain and heart function.
Theanine
Theanine is a type of amino acid and a flavor component of Japanese teas. The higher the quality of the tea, the more theanine is contained. Matcha contains 12 times more theanine than Bancha.
Theanine has a relaxing effect on the mind and body.
Vitamins
Green tea contains β-carotene, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid, folic acid, biotin, and vitamin C. It is especially high in vitamin C.The content of vitamin C is particularly high.
Vitamin C is effective in preventing colds.
Minerals
Tea leaves contain high levels of minerals such as fluoride, zinc, and manganese. Fluorine strengthens the surface of teeth and prevents cavities.
Japanese people love and drink green tea not only because it tastes great, but also because of its many benefits to health. From its powerful antioxidant effect, to its metabolic boost, to its heart health support, green tea is an overall healthy drink. By actively incorporating this traditional beverage into their diet, the Japanese are able to maintain balance and health in both body and mind. I hope you too will experience the wonderful benefits of green tea.
I hope this blog has been of some help to all of you. Thank you for reading until the end.
Reference：https://www.tyojyu.or.jp/net/kenkou-tyoju/shokuhin-seibun/tea.html
https://www.itoen-global.com/allabout_greentea/type/
