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info -about us -news -order -contact -brewing -history -community -links teas -white -yellow -green -oolong -red -pu er -scented -blooming |
绿茶 (lu cha) green tea Green teas have long been enjoyed for their health-giving qualities as well as their unique and often subtle flavor. Undergoing a minimum of processing, green tea leaves are also referred to as non-oxidized teas. Green teas are typically made from small leaves or bud, often handpicked to have one bud and one small leaf on each stem. The leaves are first spread out on cool cement floors or rattan racks and allowed to wilt for a few hours. Then they are heated to remove most of their moisture and to stop the the oxidation process. After that, they are dried and packaged. Interestingly, the aroma and taste can be quite different from one another. The color of the liquor can range from a bright jade green to a pale yellow and is best when drunk without any additions. Since green tea has not been exposed to the oxidation process involved with producing "black tea", it is more healthy and contains less caffiene. Oxidation converts some of the tannins in Camellia Sinensis to colouring agents resulting in the red/orange colours characteristic of "black tea". This process of producing "black tea" is believed to reduce the activity of many of the nutritional properties that are preserved in green tea. The leaves of green tea are either steamed or subjected to low levels of dry heat after harvesting. Recent scientific studies have confirmed that the polyphenol compounds found in green tea have an antioxidant effect within the human body. An imbalance between the production and elimination of free radicals (unstable molecules) in the body has been linked to the ageing process and chronic diseases affecting organs such as the heart, liver, lungs etc. Fats and cholesterol are particularly at risk of free radical damage, which is also known as 'oxidation'. Oxidised bodily fats can form toxic substances called 'lipid peroxides' that may lead to the damage of muscle and nerve cells. Antioxidant substances, such as that found in green tea, help to 'mop up' these unstable free radical molecules. In some cases, the growth of cancer cells may be partly blocked by the regular intake of green tea. The polyphenol substances within green tea help to block enzymes in the body which produce toxic substances and may help to prevent the mutation of healthy cells into cancer cells. A recent scientific study in China, reported by the National Cancer Institute, revealed that green tea has a significant protective effect against oesophageal cancer in humans. Green tea may have a protective effect on the heart by; providing antioxidant protection against free radical damage, helping to lower high blood pressure and reducing elevated cholesterol levels. Regular intake of antioxidant flavonoids, such as those found in green tea, has been linked to a reduction in the risk of death from heart disease. The anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties of the saponins found in green tea, together with the catechin found in tea tannins, have a protective effect against bacterial gum infections such as gingivitis. The catechin found in green tea tannins help to prevent plaque adhering to teeth and a regular intake of green tea may reduce the risk of bacteria accumulating in the mouth which can cause tooth decay. (some text borrowed from yahoo: http://au.health.yahoo.com/041101/25/1ul0.html?r=967673075 [edited and added to for accuracy]) For more information about green tea's health benefits, please visit these websites: http://greentealovers.com/greenteahealthcatechin.htm#catechin - LOTS of detailed information about the health benefits of tea (commercial retail site) http://www.museums.org.za/bio/plants/theaceae/camellia_sinensis.htm - A site about the health properties of Camellia Sinensis (tea plant). http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/new/whitetea.html - A report on white tea from Oregon State University, relating to tea's cancer fighting properties. (the differences between white, yellow, and green are minimal in regards to thier health properties, so this report applies to all three) http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/tea - A very conservative article by the National Cancer Institute about the cancer-fighting effects of green tea catechins. If you have never tried a green tea, please accept my invitation to have a free sample of any of the teas on the list. Our current green teas and prices:
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page last updated: 01/22/06