Exploring the Diverse Varieties of Green Tea
The term “green tea” makes it sound like there’s just one type, but in reality, there are many kinds of green tea. The term more accurately describes how the tea is prepared and processed rather than a specific type of tea.
Green tea comes from the same types of leaves used for black tea, but the difference lies in how it’s harvested and processed. This distinct method gives green tea its impressive health benefits. Some popular kinds of green tea include Xi Hu Longjing (dragon well), Huiming, Long Ding (dragon mountain), Hua Ding, Qing Ding (green top), Zhuchá (gunpowder), Junshan Yinzhen (silver needle tea), and Huo Mountain Yellow Buds, among others.
On the other hand, black teas include varieties like English breakfast, Irish breakfast, Earl Grey, Ceylon, Nilgiri, Darjeeling, Sun Moon Lake, Keemun, Dian Hong, Assam, Tibet, Jin Junmei, and Lapsang souchong.
The special way green tea is made helps keep some of the tea plant’s active compounds intact. Steaming the leaves stops certain compounds, called catechins, from oxidizing. One of these catechins, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), is a potent antioxidant being researched for its potential benefits in cancer prevention, heart health, and fat metabolism. The gentle steaming method helps preserve EGCG’s properties.
Over time, people who regularly drink green tea have noticed its benefits, and now it’s consumed widely for various health reasons, such as:
– Inhibiting cancer cell growth
– Protecting the heart
– Lowering “bad” cholesterol (LDL)
– Preventing abnormal blood clotting
– Boosting metabolism and aiding fat burning
Ongoing research aims to clarify these benefits and understand how they work.
Green tea comes in various forms and is now an ingredient in many products, from ice cream to vitamin supplements. You can find it as loose leaves, tea bags, powder, capsules, and even as a chilled drink in the juice aisle.
However, not all green tea products are created equal. The quality and health benefits can vary depending on the manufacturing process. Some brands take extra care during processing to retain the tea’s potency.
Just like with any food, nutrients can be lost during processing, and the active ingredients in green tea aren’t standardized before production. This means the effectiveness of green tea can vary significantly from one brand to another. Finding a brand that works for you might involve some trial and error. Trying different brands will help you get the most out of the phytonutrients in the gently steamed leaves of your green tea.
