Yes, Green Tea is that popular. It’s considerably the most famous one among the many teas that we have today.

It's a very delicate and special drink that you can easily find in any grocery or drug store. However, not many people know its origin or about its other essential benefits. Despite its popularity, how many people really do know Green Tea on a deeper level? 

So, whether you’re an avid tea drinker or someone who’s about to sip tea for the first time, join me in this blog for a deep-dive into the world of Green Tea. 

Where does Green Tea originate from?

Green tea is made from Camellia Sinensis, the very plant that also produces solid teas like Black Tea and Oolong Tea. This perennial plant can be found in southern China and in countries like Japan, Indonesia, the United States, and India. It happens to grow better on moist soil which has high nitrogen content.

Green tea can be either natural or turned into our well-loved matcha powder that is produced from the tea leaves of Camellia sinensis. Green tea is made by steaming the fresh and young tea leaves, which preserves the sweetness of its natural flavor.

What does Green Tea taste like?

Green tea has a very delicate taste that resembles the smell of sweetgrass or green herbs. Once it's steeped, this "mellow" tea can be infused with milk or lemon to further enhance its flavor. Contrary to black and oolong teas, green leaves are not fermented before they're dried. Thus, its taste is more natural and gentle.

What are the health benefits Green Tea has?

This may no longer be a surprise to some but yes, Green Tea is a powerhouse of health benefits. It’s the main reason why people drink it anyway. It’s filled with properties and nutrients that make it one of the healthiest beverages there is. 

Here are reasons why drinking Green Tea is vital for our health:

1. Improving cognitive abilities

Drinking tea is ideal for seniors or those living with dementia. Study says that green tea can help improve a person’s cognitive functions and working memory. It shows promise in treating issues connected to neuropsychiatric conditions. 

2. Weight loss

If you’re trying to shed some pounds, consider drinking green tea as an added item to your to-do list. Green tea contains caffeine and catechins, two types of compounds that help with weight loss. Catechins help in breaking down the body's excess fats while caffeine increases the amount of energy the body exerts, leading to an increased metabolic rate. 

3. Reducing the risk of chronic illnesses

Cancer, heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes—these are chronic illnesses that are frightening but you can possibly avoid thanks to Green Tea. It contains plenty of antioxidative properties that combat free radical damage that might lead to the aforementioned health conditions. 

4. Keeps heart healthy

According to some, you can keep your heart healthy and strong if you drink green tea. Green tea is believed to aid in lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. This is why seniors or those living with heart ailments are advised to drink green tea regularly. 

5. Anti-inflammatory 

Green tea is a rich source of antioxidants called catechins, which are known for reducing inflammation. In fact, it contains the most powerful type of catechins called EGCG. This is why even though other types of teas are anti-inflammatory, green tea appears to be the most effective source. 

Note: To get the best of green tea benefits, steep it for a short period of time and drink it in its freshest form. 

What are the side effects of Green Tea?

Sadly, not even Green Tea can be perfect. It’s amazing in every way but it also has its own downside. 

Green Tea contains caffeine and, although this is a well-known energy booster, there are also downsides to it. Too much caffeine intake might lead to issues like headaches, irregular heartbeats, anxiety, shaking, amongst others. Make sure to drink it regularly but moderately. 

Being dependent on caffeine as an energy stimulant is not going to do any of us any good. 

Is it safe to drink Green Tea everyday? 

If you're going to drink green tea, it's safe to have 3 to 5 cups per day. That's also the perfect amount to reap the most out of the green tea benefits. Drinking green tea regularly is said to help with weight loss and reducing the risk of several diseases. Just drink it as much as you need, not as much as you want. 

Is Green Tea safe to drink during pregnancy?

Green tea, including Matcha, is considered safe to drink during pregnancy because it only has a low level of caffeine. Some sources also say that drinking tea won’t trigger any miscarriages. 

However, pregnant women are advised to limit to 3 cups per day only. It would be best to consult your primary doctor first before anything else just to make sure. 

Green Tea Recipes

Green Tea is amazing on its own, but there are other ways to enhance this soothing drink!

1. Refreshing Iced Green Tea (with Mint and Honey)

Ingredients:

• 4 tsp Green Tea leaves
• 4 cups fresh water
• 2 sprigs fresh mint 
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 cups cold water
• 2 cups ice
• lemon slices (for serving)

Directions:

1. Boil water in a saucepan. Remove from heat after boiling.
2. Add Green Tea leaves and 2 sprigs of fresh mint. 
3. Cover and steep for 10 mins. 
4. Strain the tea and remove the mint. Stir in honey. 
5. Add the 2 cups of ice and cold water to a pitcher. Add the Green Tea mixture. Stir well.
6. Let it chill. 
7. Serve the tea over ice with a lemon slice. 

2. Delicious Green Tea Latte

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp Green Tea leaves
• 1 cup boiled fresh water
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 2 tsp honey (for sweetening)
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions: 

1. Add the boiled water and the tea leaves to a mug. Steep for 5 mins.
2. Strain the tea. 
3. Add the tea, honey, milk, cinnamon, and ginger to a blender. Blend until it gets creamy. 
4. Pour into a mug and serve. 

3. Fruity Green Tea 

Ingredients: 

• 8 tsp Green Tea leaves 
• 8 oz hulled strawberries 
• 8 cups water
• 2 cups concentrated orange juice
• 1 lime (zested)
• 1 lime (thinly sliced)

Directions: 

1. Boil the water then pour into a pitcher. 
2. Add the tea leaves to the water and let it steep for 3 to 5 mins.
3. Strain the tea and refrigerate.
4. Roughly chop the strawberries (use a food processor if possible). Combine the strawberries, orange juice, and lime zest in a container. Pour mixture into ice cube trays and store in a freezer for 2 hrs.
5. Serve over ice cubes and top with green tea. 
6. Garnish with lime slices. 

Takeaway

Green tea is a very popular drink and has been around for centuries. If you want to take advantage of its health benefits, make sure to choose the one that’s made from pure Green Tea. It will not only give you a much more refreshing and refined taste, but it will also produce much more effective health benefits.