Health Benefits and Side Effects of Green Tea: Useful Websites

Listed below are some great websites that discuss the health benefits and side effects of green tea. Being a plant-based product, the way green tea is processed is of great consideration.

One of the important points  I got from the posts is the reason green tea is healthier is in the process. The fermentation process is avoided during the green tea production as opposed to the processing of black tea. The flavonoids and catechins are the antioxidants which help reduce the free radicals in your body.

What Else in a Nutshell?

Polyphenols are the elements that give green teas their benefits.

Blood sugar levels can be regulated if you drink green tea after meals.

It has been known to help kill cancer cells.

Green tea helps with metabolism.

These are only a few small examples of what green tea can do to help with your health. I am blown away by the many benefits in these posts and I hope you take time to read through them. Come in to the shop to get some of the best quality teas in town! 

WebMD

https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/health-benefits-of-green-tea#1

Healthline

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-green-tea

Lifehack

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/11-benefits-of-green-tea-that-you-didnt-know-about.html

How to Brew a Great Cup of Tea

Bulk Tea

Brewing a great cup of tea doesn’t take rocket science, but it does take patience. As you probably know, there are many tools to help brew a cup of tea if you purchase bulk tea. However, it takes some knowledge of quantity and quality of the tea leaves, the amount of water and temperature of water, and the time for infusion. Making a mistake on any of these elements can lead to a strong, bitter taste that will give you a less than positive experience with tea.

Purified water is best to use versus distilled water. Purified water will still have some of the coveted minerals which can actually enhance some teas. The water should also begin by being cold rather than a warm or hot water. Furthermore, bringing it to a gentle boil is crucial to a good cup of tea. Boiling the tea at a gentle bubble will help to purify the water further.

Green tea requires a more gentle boil to bring out its delicate flavors. Conversely, black tea needs a heavier boil in order to enhance its baked sweetness due to being fully oxidized. Secondly, the length of time it takes for green teas is generally shorter while the time for heavier, black teas could be longer.

Types of Containers and Tea Strainers

Tea strainers range in type and style. There are tea balls, tea spoons, and tea infusers for every preference. Comically, some are fashioned into shapes like dolphins, deep sea divers, and tea bags just to appeal to the tea user. They range from stainless steel to silicone styles.

Tea pots can also impacts the tea when brewing. Green tea needs less temperature, therefore, porcelain or glass tea containers are good. Black tea requires a hotter temperature.  Hence tea pots made of iron or Chinese yixing ware retain heat over longer periods of time than porcelain or glass.

General Tea Preparation Guidelines

  • Bring fresh, cold water to a boil in a kettle.
  • Remove from heat when it reaches a gentle boil.
  • Poor into a warm tea pot or tea cup (poor hot water into container prior to the tea water to keep temperature more consistent)
  • Add proper amount of tea to the pot or cup determined by number of people drinking the tea.
  • Poor water over the tea leaves and strain later or use a tea strainer to infuse the tea into the container.
  • Steep for required amount of time, usually five minutes, for preferred flavor and strength.

A cup of tea is a symbol of hospitality all over the world. There is nothing like drinking a fresh, brewed, flavorful tea with a friend. Enjoy!

 

 

 

Reasons to Drink Green Tea

Voice of Reason – Your Body

Do you believe that your body can tell you what works for your nutrition and what doesn’t work? Perhaps the solution is a simple as drinking green tea.

The problem stems from ignoring what the body is trying to say and continuing to put things into our bodies for various reasons such as simply liking the taste or craving the food. We can all ignore inflammation, stomach aches, head aches, or bowel disorders to a point, that is, until it interferes with your daily living.

For example, even though you suffer from extreme acid reflux, stomach aches, bloating and gas, insomnia and jitters, you continue to drink coffee daily. There is a choice. Continuing to consume one to two cups a day, feeling its lousy effects – or  *STOP* –  finding other drinks, like green and herbal teas, that don’t effect your body adversely.

“The voices of cold reason were talking, as usual, to deaf ears.”

– Ellis Peters, Brother Cadfael’s Penance

Type “O” Blood

If you are a type “O” blood type caffeinated coffee is a drink that should be avoided. The same goes for black tea.

After discussing this with a customer of mine she said, ” Today I have learned that these are symptoms that repeat themselves after drinking a cup of coffee. I have heard about blood type diets for many years starting back in the 70’s and pretty much have discounted that information, but today it makes sense. I think it is time to seek out better options for me and stop drinking coffee.”

Therefore, what should a type “O” be drinking? My suggestions are water, green tea and herbal teas. There are many to choose from. You can sample them at the tea shop to find out what kinds appeal to you. I encourage you to come in and spend some time getting acquainted with the diverse tea varieties. They can be every bit as satisfying as a cup of coffee and, furthermore, offer some nutritional benefits as well.

Thunderstorm Green Tea

Need something to quench your thirst? Try Boston Harbor ‘s Thunderstorm Green Tea 

Thunderstorm Green Tea won’t be a disappointment when you come in to Boston Harbor Tea to try this fantastic tasting tea! Thunderstorms are on the horizon, skies darken, and a heaviness is in the air. You become weighed down with humidity and, suddenly, wind turns from a breeze into a gale. The air pops with electricity and a loud crack of thunder sends you running for cover. Lightning flashes can be seen on the periphery of your eyesight. Finally, rain begins slowly pummeling your head and then builds in strength and you are soaking wet. Relief!

Surprisingly, this is what you can experience with one taste of Thunderstorm Green Tea.

Green Scented Thunderstorm Tea

Scented tea is made from different types of finished tea leaves that are scented slowly with different fresh flowers to absorb aroma and flavor. Therefore, because tea slowly absorbs any flavor and aroma, it means quality scented tea will take at least 2-3 weeks to fully absorb the scent.

Made with green tea, lime, lemongrass, coconut, lemon bits and  calendula petals, Thunderstorm Green Tea will bring refreshment like no other, hot or iced. Furthermore, the lemon aftertaste soothes the tongue pairing well with the other ingredients giving you a lift and quenching your thirst.

Nutritional Value

Lemongrass,  a source of essential vitamins:

  •  A
  •  B1 (thiamine)
  •  B2 (riboflavin)
  •  B3 (niacin)
  •  B5 (pantothenic acid)
  •  B6 (pyridoxine)
  • folate
  • vitamin C

Also, it provides essential minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, manganese, copper, zinc and iron.

Calendula, reduces inflammation

  • the ability to speed healing
  • protect oral health
  • boost vision
  • reduce the risk of certain cancers
  • eliminate cramps
  • aid in making your skin better