Green Tea 101

Whether you see yourself as a complete tea lover or simply a little curious about tea, you’ve no doubt noticed there’s been a fair bit of buzz lately around green tea – and quite a justified buzz too. You see, green tea (a member of the camellia senesis plant family) is an absolute dynamo when it comes to health benefits. These benefits stem mainly from green tea’s rich polyphenols, which act as antioxidants in the blood, playing an essential role in protecting our cells from harmful inflammation and oxidative stress. It’s even said to be an excellent tool in assisting with weight loss.

Much like its camellia senesis siblings (which include white, yellow, oolong, and black teas), green tea comes in various forms and distinct flavors. These depend on how and where the tea has been grown, whether harvested first, second or third flush and how it has been processed afterwards.

Undoubtedly, one of the most commonly consumed varieties of green tea is Japanese Sencha. Sencha has a long needle-like appearance and produces a light yellow liquor that is beautifully mild to the taste. Other popular varieties of green tea include Japanese Matcha, Gyokuro, Genmaicha, Chinese Longjing, and Gun Powder Green Tea, and Jasmine Green Tea.

Now here’s the thing: Many people claim to dislike drinking green tea because it’s bitter. The truth is that green tea will only taste bitter when it’s either packed and stored poorly or brewed incorrectly.

The first key to experiencing that perfect, soul-satisfying cup of green tea is to make sure it’s good quality. This means buying from a reputable grower/seller who quality checks each batch to ensure there are no toxic nasties hiding on those leaves, such as accumulated pollutants from the air and soil impurities. You can usually do this by providing that you always buy organic. (For tips on how you can do this, why not take a look at our article on Tea Transparency.)

Choosing a reputable tea brand also includes looking for good quality packaging. Green tea can degrade and turn bitter over time if left in light-sensitive packaging, so it’s essential to choose a tea that has been protected from the light – especially when buying loose leaf. Likewise, at home, you also want to make sure you keep your green tea firmly out of direct sunlight.

Now let’s talk brewing. Green tea should be brewed at 70 - 80 degrees Celsius. No exception. Any hotter and the water will burn those gorgeous leaves, turning them brown and bitter. If you’re like me and you don’t yet own a kettle with a thermostat, never fear, you can still enjoy that perfect cup. A simple trick is to allow your kettle to boil and then gently transfer approximately 250 ml of boiling water between two smaller jugs before steeping your green tea. Each transfer between vessels knocks about 10 degrees off the temperature. I can 100% vouch for this technique!

Bear in mind that over-steeping can also turn green tea bitter. I find approximately two minutes a good time frame but do feel free to experiment according to your tastes.

Like most great health foods, green tea performs best when combined with a healthy, balanced diet. To fully reap the excellent health benefits associated with green tea, experts suggest drinking two to four cups per day.

Australian-owned and operated brand Tea Now includes this excellent traditional tea in two of its signature high-performance blends: Vitalise Organic Energy Tea and Enhance Organic Immunity Tea. Whether you’re just beginning to get acquainted with green tea or you’re already a sold devotee, these blends are a great way to incorporate the goodness of green tea into your diet while enjoying some of the most delicate tasting, highest quality teas available on the market.

* Tania Pritchard is a tea enthusiast with an interest in health and wellness. We love her take on all things tea & she is a regular contributor to our blog.

Tania is not a qualified health practitioner. Always consult a heath professional before deciding if a health product is right for you.