Genmaicha, Citron, Green Tea, Jade Spring, Genmai, Bancha and Jasmine Silver Green Tea
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Benefits of Green Tea, Green Tea Extracts for Health, Weight Loss, Cancer and Caffeine
Genmaicha Green Tea (Camellia sinensis w/ Toasted Brown Rice)
Genmaicha is a traditional mix of organic spring green tea leaves with fire-toasted brown rice, and sometimes the rice pops during roasting. This tea has a golden color and a very distinct popcorn-honey-like flavor.
Green tea should be steeped in very hot, but never boiling, water, because boiling water scorches its delicate flavor, rendering it bitter.
Green tea comes mainly from China, Japan, Taiwan and, to a lesser degree, India. The critical difference between green and black tea is that green tea leaves are not allowed to ferment. Green tea is, instead, steamed, rolled and fired.
Green tea is the natural dried leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis. Black tea is oxidized green tea.Tea contains only four calories per cup, but is a source of several B-complex vitamins, including B2 and nicotinic acid.
Caffeine is responsible for tea’s stimulating effect. Flavor is produced by volatile oils, and astringency and color by tannin.
Green tea is not graded similar to black tea but classified according to age, style of the leaf and manufacture, e.g., Gunpowder, Pan-fired, Young Hysson, Bancha, etc.
Since green tea, unlike black and oolong tea, is not fermented, the active constituents remain unaltered in the herb.
Green tea is bioflavonoid-rich, proven useful for fighting free radical damage in the human body. It has a high content of polyphenols, which are a class of bioflavonoids.
Green tea’s best studied polyphenol is Epigallocatechin Gallate, it protects against digestive and respiratory infections.Green tea is beneficial in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease as it exerts antioxidant activity, lowers cholesterol and reduces platelet aggregation (stickiness). Green tea extract is very good for the arteries and heart.
Additional studies have demonstrated enhanced liver function and immune system function secondary to these polyphenols.
EGCG helps block the cancer-promoting actions of:
- carcinogens
- ultraviolet light
- metastasis ~ in the skin, stomach, small intestine, liver or lung
Higher quantities (0.5% to 1% of diet) were protective against high total and LDL-cholesterol levels on a cholesterol promoting diet in rats. EGCG also reduces platelet aggregation about as much as aspirin or Ginkgo Biloba extract.
Green tea from China with the delicate flavors of lemon and lime. A happy marriage of great taste and proven health benefits. Just the right touch of citrus flavors to liven up the cup. Makes a light and refreshing drink that’s popular both hot and iced. If you are new to green tea, this lightly flavored tea may be a good place to start.
Jade Spring / Pi Lo Chun Green Tea
Green tea from the Fujian province of China. Pi Lo Chun (sometimes written biluochun) translates as “green snail spring” a reference to this tea’s distinctive spiral-shaped leaves. It is produced in the short span of time between the Spring Equinox (end of March) and Clear Brightness (early April).
Pi Lo Chun is harvested in the spring with the unopened bud and one leaf. This treasured tea has a sweet fragrance of peach and apricot. This tea used to be known as “Astounding Fragrance.” But Emperor Kang Xi disapproved and gave the current name based on the snail-like shape of the tea leaves.
Teas are classified according to region of origin, as in:
- China
- Ceylon
- Japanese
- Indonesian
- African tea
Or by smaller district, as in:
- Darjeeling from India
- Assam from India
- Nilgris from India
- Uva from Sri Lanka
- Dimbula from Sri Lanka
- Keemun from Chi-men in China’s Anhwei Province
- Enshu from Japan
Green tea from Japan that is the “snap, crackle, pop” of teas. Genmai Cha is an exotic Japanese recipe that combines popped rice and popcorn with tender and delicate green tea leaves. First used by peasants as a cost-saving measure, our “Genmai Cha Pop” tea is now equally popular with modern urbanites. Both groups enjoy a refreshing cup that’s both sweet and nutty.
Bancha is a strong Japanese steamed green tea harvested throughout late spring and summer. ‘Bancha’ means ‘common tea’ and is a reference to the coarser grades and heavier, late season crop from which this full-flavoured tea is made. Bancha is made from larger leaves than are usually available for sencha grades.
Bancha is regarded as the ’second flush’ of sencha. Bancha usually lacks the delicate sweetness of quality sencha. Nevertheless, bancha is respected because of the tea’s well-defined character, vivid yellow colors and refreshing deep flavors. Bancha green tea is considered a meal-time tea.
Jasmine Silver Flowered Green Tea
This is loose green tea, not bagged. One pound is the equivalent of approximately 200 tea bags.
Jasmine Tea is a famous tea made from Green or Pouchong (Chinese Green) tea leaves that are scented with layered jasmine flowers during the curing process. After the tea leaves have absorbed the fragrance, the flowers are removed, then the scenting process is repeated to produce a tea that has a fresh and natural bouquet. It is recognized along with green tea, oolong tea and black tea as one of the four major tea types.
