Green Tea Benefits #1: Why is Green Better?



Pamela writes:

GreenTease, please tell me why I hear so much about green tea. What's the difference between it and any other type of tea? Don't they all come from the same plant? So how can one type be any better for me than another?



GreenTease:

Great questions, Pamela. Thanks for asking. Yes, you are right that the different types of teas come from the same plant. But there are some important differences in health benefits and taste.

First of all, herbal teas are not true teas. They may have some health benefits, but botanically they are not related. Green teas, which many people believe to be herbal teas, are a true tea. White, green, oolong, and black teas all come from the camellia sinensis plant. The methods of processing, as well as the amount of exposure to oxygen after being harvested makes a big difference.

White tea comes only from the buds of the plant and is not oxidized (or fermented) at all. Green tea is only the leaves of the tea plant and also is not oxidized. Both white and green teas are steamed or heated immediately after harvesting to prevent oxidation, and then they are dried. Black tea leaves are fully oxidized. First they are laid out to let their moisture evaporate, and then they are rolled to release oils within the leaves which helps the oxidation process. Finally, they are heated in an oven to complete the drying process. Oolong tea is partially oxidized giving it a unique taste somewhere between black and green teas.

Because of these different methods and length of processing, the health benefits as well as taste of each type of tea is unique. White and green teas, because they have had less processing time, retain their active antioxidants. It's the polyphenols called flavonoids in tea that are the most beneficial. While black and green teas contain similar amounts of flavonoids, their chemical structure is different. Green tea contains far more catechins, which is a simple flavonoid and a powerful antioxidant, while black tea's extensive oxidation converts these simple flavonoids to more complex theaflavins. The level of catechins in green tea is what sets it apart as being more beneficial than black tea. Green tea also has less caffeine than black tea.

Studies continue about black and green tea benefits.

Green Tea Processing Video

Watch the video below to see how green tea is processed. Very interesting. Click on the picture below the video to go to their site.

Green Tea - For Your Health



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