ea is the most consumed beverage in the world and
there are good reasons for this popularity. One of the most
popular forms of tea is green tea and there are a number of
reasons why so many people enjoy this beverage.
First, green tea is flavorful and there are many varieties of
green tea. The difference between teas is the amount of
oxidation that the leaves are exposed to. Green tea is not
oxidized meaning the enzymes in the tea leaf are not exposed to
any oxygen found in the air. By contrast, black tea is fully
oxidized and oolong tea is partially oxidized. When dealing
with tea taste is a matter of degree and a function of
oxidation.
Green tea comes in many forms and blends and is popular in
every country and culture. Originally produced in China, the
consumption and popularity of green tea spread throughout Asia,
India and the western world. With the addition of flavors and
blends like Jasmine, Vanilla, Mint and varieties like Jasmine
pearls, Sencha and Gunpowder, green teas are subtle and appeal
to the varied tastes of tea drinkers.
Green tea has a unique light taste that appeals to a very large
number of drinkers throughout the world and has been popular
since tea was first discovered over 5,000 years ago. It is one
of the five basic types of tea and is recognized by even the
most novice tea drinker.
Second, loose leaf green tea has been one of the mainstays of
the tea culture. The highest quality tea is loose tea and
premium quality loose tea has gained in popularity in recent
years. Green tea drinkers enjoy preparation rituals and
ceremonies that add ambiance to the tea drinking experience.
Whole leaf green tea has served as the basis of tea rituals in
China and Japan and, properly served, the tea ritual provides a
pleasant experience after a stressful day.
When China was the sea power of the world (1405-1433), tea was
among the indispensable supplies for the seamen. The amount of
vitamin C in the tea drink consumed by the seafarers at that
time was enough to prevent scurvy which would kill many
European sailors more than 100 years later, but was essentially
unknown to the medical officers assigned to the fleet of more
than 27,000 men on their round voyage from China to Africa.
Lastly, there are strong indications that drinking green tea
(and all types of tea for that matter) is very healthy for the
human body. Throughout the years tea has been prized for its
medicinal qualities and the consumption of tea became a regular
event for most families.
Tea has been used in China as a medicinal beverage to promote
health in mind and body for about 5000 years. The earliest
known reference to tea as a health aid dates back to 2737 B.C.
Tea was an expensive beverage in ancient China. Its use was
confined to the wealthy segments of the population.
Only in the Ming dynasty after the fall of the Mongolian empire
in 1368 A.D., tea drinking spread from the elite to the
populace. The first shipment of tea to Europe in 1606 by the
Dutch East India Company was green tea
In 1994 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published
the results of an epidemiological study indicating that
drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in
Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent.
University of Purdue researchers recently concluded that a
compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
There is also research indicating that drinking green tea
lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio
of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.
A recent Japanese study, reported by the Journal of the
American Medical Association (JAMA) reported that adults in
Japan who drank more green tea had a lower risk of death from
all causes and from heart disease.
In addition, compounds in green tea called polyphenols have
been much studied for possible heart disease and cancer
preventive effects. Although further study may be required to
prove absolutely that green tea produces measurable health
benefits, the consumption of green teas throughout history add
credence to recent medical claims.
Tea drinkers have many choices but those that drink high
quality loose leaf green tea can anticipate an enjoyable
beverage and tea drinking experience.
About The Author: Marcus Stout is President of the Golden Moon
Tea Company. For more information about tea, green tea and
black tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com
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