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No one can deny the significant cultural and historical impact of green tea, which to some, is tea in its truest form. It has presented itself as a bedrock of society in much of the Eastern world, and today is taking the West by storm as well. This is a type of tea from the Camellia sinensis plant (Tea plant).
Green tea differs from Black Tea, White Tea and Oolong Tea through its distinct methods of processing. After White Tea, Green Tea is the least-processed tea type. Soon after harvesting, it is quickly pan-fired or, as the case with many Japanese Teas, steamed, which prevents too much oxidation occurring in the structure of the leaf. In preventing oxidation through either pan-firing or steaming, this tea maintains its freshness, grassiness and herbaceousness.
Following the initial pan-firing/steaming stage, it must undergo the rolling process, which involves the tea leaves being broken up then rolled into a unique shape. Sometimes the leaves are twisted; sometimes the leaves are rolled, and sometimes the leaves are manipulated very little. It all depends on the type of green tea being made. The “drying process” is the final processing of the leaf, whereby the moisture content of the leaves is reduced from approximately 10-13% to 5%. At this point, the tea is ready for shipping, distribution and then, finally, consumption.
Green tea is, perhaps, the oldest tea in existence, or at least according to legend. It is said that an ancient Chinese Emperor named Shennong discovered tea in 2737 BCE by pure accident when he came to rest underneath an unknown Tree with a cup of boiling water by his side. The Emperor fell asleep in the midday sun, and when he awoke, he found that leaves from the tree above had fallen into his drink. An avid herbalist, Shennong decided to try the infusion - he loved it! Without knowing at the time, Shennong had just discovered Green Tea, or so the story goes.
Health Benefits of Green Tea
Over 5,000 years later and it remains an immensely popular beverage. Nowadays, many choose it not just for its taste but also its proven health benefits. According to the latest scientific research, it contains an abundance of beneficial antioxidants, most notably Epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG), capable of combating a multitude of ailments prevalent in today’s society, it can also help to stop or reduce free radicals from forming in the human body, which slows down the ageing process. Studies suggest that the frequent consumption of this type of tea can reduce cardiovascular disease, boost the metabolism, help certain types of cancer, enhance cognitive function, support the immune system and even reduce the risks of developing type-2 diabetes.
Furthermore, it is also said to help people with anxiety! This is because of an amino acid called L-theanine, which boosts the neurotransmitter GABA which is partly responsible for monitoring anxiety levels. If that wasn't enough to get you excited about the health benefits of drinking this tea then you'll be pleasantly surprised to hear that it can also help you lose weight! This is because it boosts your metabolism, thereby burning fat quicker (tests were conducted in human-controlled experiments in order to verify this theory).
Whatever your reason is for drinking Green Tea, The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company have an extensive range of choice. There is bound to be one that fits your lifestyle or personality, anything from the simple to the extravagant. We stock traditional, Flavoured, Organic and blends - start exploring!
