The benefits and harms of green tea for the human body: how its properties are useful

Author: Julia Kopylova , tea expert.

Until recently, we knew very little about the benefits and harms of green tea, but, with the development of trade relations with China, every year we get acquainted with a new assortment and variety of types and tastes & ndash; how does it affect the human body, what are its advantages, what helps and what is the history of the drink?

During the Tang and Song dynasties, the Chinese brewed mostly pressed tea. Leaf began to drink under the Ming and Qing dynasties.

China & ndash; the main country with its own traditions, technologies and with a special attitude, using ancient methods of production. Currently, product exports account for about 80% of the total.

Along with old technologies, Chinese tea growers use modern ones that are faster and also qualitatively contribute to the manufacture of products.

The assortment is diverse and multifaceted, with over a thousand different varieties.

Chinese green tea has both beneficial and harmful properties, and ceremonial lovers drink it not only to enjoy the natural taste and aroma, but also because of the beneficial effect of the drink, due to which it has a positive effect on the human body.

According to the generally accepted classification by oxidation state, green tea leaf fees are non-oxidized.

That is, the oxidation process is minimized and blocked by heating the feed.

Diversity depends on production area, harvest season, appearance, and processing technology.

At first glance, all brewed leaves seem the same, but only a connoisseur or a big lover can sort the finished drinks by varieties depending on the appearance and color of the dried leaves:

• flat leaves of Long Jin;
• resembling twisted snakeskin Bi Lo Chun ;
• Zhu Ye-Qin is the color of green bamboo shoots.

Not only do they each have a different story, but also a variety of flavors.

For example: Bi Luo Chun's floral and fruity aroma, an unforgettable aftertaste of large-leaved Yunnan that gets sweeter and sweeter with each re-brew.

These features give the drink its unique beauty.

A little about gathering places

To begin with, green Chinese tea is made from leaves harvested from tea bushes or trees.

Plantations can be divided into four areas: south and north of the Yangtze River, south and southwest parts of China.

Leaves are harvested in 20 provinces, autonomous regions and cities of central subordination, including Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Chongqing, Hainan and Taiwan.

Production is also located in Anhui, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Guizhou, Sichuan and Chongqin counties. A small volume of plantations are located in Guadun, Guangxi, Fujian, etc. The smallest are located in the districts of Henan, Shandong, Shanxi.

It is important to know that each area has its own special tea, which is not produced on others.

Manufacturing considerations

Technology includes:

• collecting a sheet;
• wilting;
• enzyme inactivation;
• cutting-twisting;
• moisture removal.

Important & ndash; inactivation of enzymes by short and intense heating, as a result of which the tea leaf does not undergo oxidation, while acquiring a slight floral aroma and retains all the beneficial properties.

There are three ways to process & laquo; fixing greens & raquo;:

1. roasting;
2. steaming out;
3. warm up in the sun.

After that, the leaves crumple and give the mass a shape: spirals, pearls, curls, blades, etc. Very often the appearance influences the name: e.g. & laquo; Silver Needles & raquo; have elongated cups that look like needles.

There is also a classification by the type of raw material used: sheet, kidney (typical) and mixed.

How is the lun jin variety produced

There is a direct relationship between the quality of the material used, the production technology and the taste of the finished drink.

Green tea, which has undergone enzyme inactivation by roasting and retained all the beneficial effects and properties, makes up the maximum part of all production in China.

This distinguishes such famous varieties as: Lun Jin and Gua Pian.

As a result of very high temperature exposure, the treated raw materials can acquire a "burnt" appearance; and even the smell of smoke or burning.

Teapots have a more intense yellowish-green color than those fried at normal temperatures.

Leaves steamed with steam have a very mild aroma and taste. Green tea is usually produced in this way in Japan. In China, such processing is carried out at factories in the provinces of Zhengjiang and Jianxi. However, most of the product produced is exported to Japan.

& laquo; Green fixation & raquo; by warming up in the sun is most commonly used in Yunnan, Shanxi, and Sichuan. Such varieties get their name by their production areas:

• Dian-Qing from Yunnan.
• Shan-Qing from Shanxi.

Prepared raw materials are mainly used for the production of pressed forms in the form of bricks or To Cha (pressed mass of leaves in the form of cups or nests).

Brewing subtleties

Green teas have a different appearance, different from other (for example, black varieties) technology. However, the method of brewing is the same for everyone.

Better to use & laquo; Chinese & raquo; with the spill method. It is important to remember that the collection can be brewed repeatedly for more pleasure in learning tastes and aromas.

Use porcelain, clay, or glass teapots for brewing.

Before filling the brew, it is necessary to warm up the dishes. Pour boiling water into the kettle, cover and wait half a minute.

Heated tableware helps to better open the sheet when brewing.

Teapots added to a warm kettle warm up and begin to open, and the process itself is easier and more complete.

After warming up, put the required amount of green tea in a 250 ml kettle & ndash; not more than 1 tsp per volume. This ratio is optimal for the complete opening of the tea leaf. If you put too much, the brew will fill the entire volume of the dishes, and your drink will become very saturated. At the same time, you can feel an unpleasant taste (bitter, tart).

Water & ndash; also a significant factor in obtaining an aromatic tasty drink. It is important to know that for 90% of varieties the brewing temperature should be no more than 80 & deg; C. The time is also individual: the first brew usually lasts from 40 seconds to 1 minute.

If we use the spill method, remember that the subsequent brewing should be longer than the previous one (usually 15-20 seconds), but the time is selected individually for each grade.

Learn more about how to get a delicious drink and not spoil your tea in our video .

At & laquo; European & raquo; the brewing method also needs to warm up the dishes. Add leaves in an amount of 2.5-3 g per 250 ml and fill with water heated to a temperature of 80 & deg; C. The collection is brewed for 3-4 minutes. Until the tea leaves have cooled down, you can add water and enjoy the updated taste and aroma properties of the drink.

What green tea tastes like

In a nutshell & ndash; it is multifaceted and diverse. It all depends on the time at which the tea leaves were collected:

• Spring 1 camp (March). The tea leaf is very delicate, thin and the drink is very soft, floral, light, with a sweet note.
• The aroma of flowers and fresh greens prevails. The overall feeling will be airy, tender and sweet. The infusion is light green, but may have peach shades.
• Spring 2 camp (April). During this period, the tea leaf was formed, filled with juice under the rays of sunlight. The drink has a richer, full aroma and a varied taste: from floral to fruit notes with a soft sweet aftertaste. The infusion is dominated by light green shades of different saturation, yellowish-green variations are also possible.
• Spring 3 camp (May). The tea leaf is a little rough, and the drink has features in taste and aroma. A tart herbaceous aftertaste prevails, sometimes you can feel a slight mustard. Such a drink quenches thirst well, refreshes. The infusion is dominated by yellowish-green shades.

Benefits of green tea

A properly prepared drink has a beneficial effect on the human body.

The infusion is also called a biochemical cocktail, which contains a large number of active compounds.

The composition contains an alkaloid & ndash; caffeine in bound form & ndash; thein, which gives vigor and energy, but very gently affects a person. Tannin is also an important component. It is responsible for the taste of the drink and has a healing effect: strengthens blood vessels, improves digestion, neutralizes radioactive particles.

In many positions you will find vitamins: A, C, groups B, K, P.

The latter is able to prevent allergic reactions, strengthens the immune system and capillaries.

The composition also contains potassium and magnesium, which are useful for the heart, including normalizing pressure.

Theobromine in the beverage is responsible for diuretic properties.

In addition, there are many plant proteins and amino acids, of which there are about 20 species, including gamma-aminobutyric, stimulating brain function.

The drink is the strongest natural antioxidant, it contains a large amount of catechins and tannins, which remove free radicals and protect cells from exposure to oxygen. This reduces the chance of getting cancer.

Catechins and tannins prevent and slow down cell aging, which makes it possible to use tea leaves in cosmetology.

The drink also normalizes the gastrointestinal tract, improves digestion and promotes the breakdown of fatty foods. Weak infusion & ndash; a great treatment for hypertension.

Whether green tea is useful or harmful you don't have to say & ndash; it tones and relaxes, you can describe the usefulness of its effect on the organisms of a man and a woman for a long time, because there are no side effects from taking it, and if you drink a properly prepared drink on an ongoing basis, you will only notice an improvement in your overall health.

Every sip & ndash; it is the discovery of the unknown. One cup can give you peace and quiet in the hustle and bustle of life.

Unusual, useful, varied & ndash; it's all about him. Start your acquaintance with the world of green teas with the assortment of the Russian Tea Company, find your favorite and place an order on the site.