Green Tea By: Amy Osborne

Green Tea Facts Comes from leaves of the camellia sinensis plant Can be steamed, baked, or pan heated to prevent oxidation causing the leaves to remain green Question: Why is green tea getting so much attention from the science world? Answer: Because of the antioxidant epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG) that is preserved in green tea.

Antioxidants are substances, such as Vitamin E, Vitamin C, or beta carotene, that protects the body from the damaging effects of oxidation. Research has indicated that one of the main antioxidants, EGCG, is found in green tea. EGCG has been found to be more powerful than both Vitamin E and C. EGCG is found to be 100 times more powerful than Vitamin C EGCG is found to be 25 times more powerful than Vitamin E EGCG protects cells and DNA from damage believed to be linked to cancer, heart disease, and other serious illnesses. Antioxidants Found in Green Tea

Benefits of Green Tea Reduces blood pressure: drinking green tea represses angiotensin II which leads to high blood pressure. Lowers blood sugar: green tea polyphenols and polysaccharides are effective in lowering blood sugar. Fights cancer: there have been many studies that have shown that green tea catechins are effective at preventing cancer. Green Tea also boosts the immune system because of its high concentrations of polyphenols and flavenoids. Green tea antioxidants have been shown to lower cholesterol. Unfermented green tea leaves are the least processed form of tea. Drinking green tea from 100% quality tea leaves is the most natural way to gain these health benefits.

Benefits Continued Green Tea can help reduce the risks of esophageal, skin, and other forms of cancer, mainly by its highly significant antioxidant properties. Green Tea can help suppress and reverse aging, and refreshes the body with its high Vitamin B content that helps the human body better deal with stress, and release more energy. Green Tea can help restrain the growth of various bacteria that cause disease. Green Tea can help stop cavities because of it’s rich Fluoride content present in it’s natural form, and can help prevent bad breath. Green Tea helps eliminate constipation.

Green Tea Components and Healthy Effects Catechins: reduces risk of cancer, restrains tumors, reduces risk of mutations, lowers blood cholesterol, prevents high blood pressure, prevents high blood sugar, kills bacteria, fights with flu virus, prevents cavities, prevents bad breath, and anti-aging. Caffeine: keeps you awake, and works as diuretic Vitamin C: reduces stress, prevents cold and flu Vitamin B Complex: promotes metabolism Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid(GABA): lowers high blood pressure Flavanoids: strengthens blood vessel wall, and prevents bad breath Polysaccharides: prevents high blood sugar, and anti-radiation injuries Fluoride: prevents cavities Vitamin E: works as in antioxidant, and helps to maintain youthfulness Theanine(amino acid): emphasizes flavor

Nutrition Label for Starbucks Tazo Green Iced Tea The Good This food is very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. The Bad A large portion of the calories in this food come from sugars.

How to Select and Store Whenever possible, ask for a sample of prepared tea before buying. Most high quality teas will produce a pale green and yellow-green cup.

Loose Tea To test for freshness, tightly squeeze a small amount and smell the aroma. The freshest, most flavorful tea will smell sweet and grassy.

Tea Bags Dark glass or ceramic containers are best. Use a small container just large enough to accommodate the amount of tea. Store in a dark, cool, dry cupboard. Teas stored in a refrigerator is vulnerable to moisture and odors from other foods, and the water condensation that occurs when frozen tea is defrosted can ruin it.

Chinese Green Teas The best Chinese green teas are thought to be picked in early spring at the time of the Qing Ming festival, which takes place on April 5 th of the solar calendar. A few include: Ching Ca: grown in mainland China, these teas include the famous Pi Lo Chun and Tai Ping Hou Gui. Snow Dragon: grown near the border between Fujian and Zhejiang province, this tea is roasted in a large wok to produce a nutty, sweet flavor.

Indian Green Tea Although green teas are a very small part of overall tea production in India, here are a few that are notable. Bherjan Estate: an organic green tea grown in Assam, India’s most plentiful tea district. Assam teas are renowned for their hearty taste and strength in aroma and body. Craigmore Estate: grown at high altitudes in the spectacular range of the Nilgiris, India’s Blue Mountains, these green teas are exceptionally fragrant and sweet.

Japanese Green Tea The best quality green teas are grown in the prefectures of Shizuoka and Uji. Ban-Cha: an earthy brown tea with an astringent taste made from roasted green tea leaves, bancha should only steep two or three minutes or it will become bitter. Houjica: a lightly roasted bancha tea with a nutty flavor. A good nighttime choice as it is very light and low in caffeine.

Green Tea Muffins (makes 12 muffins) Ingredients: –2 cups of all-purpose flour –1 cup white sugar –½ tsp. Baking soda –2 tsp. Powered Japanese green tea (matcha) –½ cup milk (can be nonfat) –1 stick of butter, softened –2 eggs Oven 350F

Green Tea Muffins Sift together the flour, baking soda, and green tea powder and set aside. In a large bowl, beat the butter until light. Add the sugar and beat some more until light and fluffy. Add the dry mixture and the milk. Stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until the dry ingredients are just incorporated (don’t over mix). The batter will be somewhat lumpy. Divide the batter among the muffin tins (If you don’t use liners, grease the tins), about 2/3 full. Bake for minutes. Allow to cool on a wire rack.

YUM!!!!

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