What are the Benefits of Green Tea? What are some Recommendations?

Dive into the world of Green tea as we explore the different types of Chinese and Japanese Green teas, their benefits, and potential drawbacks. A guide that give answers to "When is the best time to drink Green tea?" and "Which Green tea should I buy?"

What makes Green Tea different than Black Tea, & Oolong Tea?

1. What is Green Tea? How do we tell the difference from other types of tea?

Green tea, Black tea, Oolong tea, Pu'Er tea... There are countless tea available in the market. Apart from their names and colours, what sets these teas apart?

Before understanding the differences between various teas, let's first delve into the tea-making process! After freshly plucked tea leaves are harvested, they undergo different processing methods, resulting in variations in the degree of fermentation. This gives rise to different types of tea.

In other words, even tea leaves from the same tea tree can be processed into different types of tea, such as Green tea, Black tea, or Oolong tea, based on different processing techniques. However, each tea tree variety is typically best suited for a particular type of tea. For example, Chinese tea trees are often used to produce Green tea or Oolong tea, while Indian Assam tea trees are used for Black tea production.

After harvesting, Green tea leaves are immediately subjected to high-temperature heat treatment to halt oxidation. The enzymes responsible for fermentation are destroyed, resulting in the lowest level of fermentation among all tea types. This process helps retain catechins, the main component of green tea, along with other polyphenols. Green tea also contains lower levels of caffeine compared to Black tea, Oolong tea, and others.

2. What does Green tea contains?

Green tea is rich in various components, including polyphenols, organic acids, amino acids, and vitamins. Polyphenols are a group of polymeric compounds found in tea leaves, with the most well-known being catechins. Among all tea types, Green tea has the highest concentration of polyphenols. For instance, an average 100ml of Green tea contains approximately 126.6mg of catechins. Therefore, if you want to consume catechins, Green tea is undoubtedly your best choice!

The Benefits of Green Tea! Learn Green Tea in just Seconds

綠茶中富含多種營養成分，其中最特別的便是茶多酚，這是一種出現在植物中的化學物質，具有強大的抗氧化性。可以幫助身體維持良好的新陳代謝，讓免疫系統正常運作，甚至對抑制病毒也有所助益，到底綠茶內的成分對人體有哪些好處呢？以下為你整理 6 大綠茶功效。

🍵 Green Tea Benefit 1: Maintain Immune System Function

The catechins in green tea are a type of polyphenol. According to a report from the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the polyphenols in tea leaves have antioxidant properties and function to maintain good immune function in the body.

🍵 Green Tea Benefit 2: Refreshing and Hydrating

Polyphenols are the source of the bitter and astringent taste in tea, but it is also because of this property that tea tastes fresh and sweet when drunk, achieving a thirst-quenching effect.

🍵 Green Tea Benefit 3: Aids Metabolism

Drinking green tea can help with metabolism, which is why many green tea products are named "fat-burning green tea" - it's not without reason! According to a clinical experiment published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the polyphenol EGCG in green tea extracts has heat-producing and fat oxidation-promoting properties that can boost metabolism.

🍵 Green Tea Benefit 4: Maintains Fresh Breath

A report from the U.S. National Library of Medicine points out that the catechin (EGCG) in green tea helps inhibit the adhesion and growth of the bad-breath bacteria S. moorei, keeping breath fresh. While the polyphenol effects of green tea can have a positive impact on health to a certain extent, drinking tea is not the best way to treat diseases. If you experience any physical conditions, it is still recommended to have a professional doctor diagnose and treat you!

🍵 綠茶功效 5：有助於防止病毒複製

臺灣師範大學的研究團隊在國際知名期刊《抗氧化物（Antioxidants）》上發表的論文指出，從綠茶萃取的多酚兒茶素群可以抑制「冠狀病毒複製酶」。雖然實驗用的兒茶素濃度較一般喝綠茶時可攝取到的而茶素濃度來得高，但這個研究結果仍證實了兒茶素功效。

🍵 綠茶功效 6：有助於緩解發炎

綠茶中豐富的兒茶素和單寧酸，有助於減緩慢性發炎，幫助身體的免疫系統恢復正常運作。在美國國家醫學圖館的論文中顯示，兒茶素的最佳來源是未發酵的綠茶，反而發酵過後的紅茶，兒茶素含量相較綠茶來得少。

綠茶多酚功效對健康能有一定程度的正面影響，但喝茶並非治療疾病的最佳管道，建議身體出現任何狀況時，還是要請專業醫師來診斷、治療！

Different Countries of Green Tea

1. Chinese vs Japanese Green Tea: Difference of Tea Processing Technique

When it comes to Green tea, understanding the categorization of Green tea involves examining the tea's processing methods. Generally, the production of Green tea involves Four Steps: Plucking, Fixation, Shaping, and Drying. Fixation (or Kill-Green), means halting the oxidation process in the tea leaves. This is achieved through pan-firing or steaming, depending on the regional traditions.

Chinese Green tea is mostly pan-fried, where direct heating is used to destroy the enzymes in the tea leaves. This method results in a more robust and intense aroma, making the tea more resistant to brewing. On the other hand, Japanese Green tea is primarily steamed, allowing the flavours to slowly release and preserving a higher concentration of catechins. The leaves appear green, and the taste is refreshing and mellow.

Apart from stir-fixation and steam-fixation methods, you may also come across hot-air fixation and sun fixation. The difference lies in the drying process. After the steps of Fixation, and Shaping, the final step is drying, which can be done through hot-air fixation, sun fixation, or stir fixation. Each drying method imparts a distinct flavour profile to the tea leaves.

2. Six types of Chinese Green Tea

After understanding the green tea processing, let me introduce some common varieties of Chinese green tea:

🍵 Dragon Well: Dragon Well tea is one of the 10 famous teas in China. The most renowned production area is West Lake. Due to the mild climate, abundant rainfall, and sandy soil, it is very suitable for growing Dragon Well tea. High-quality Dragon Well tea is very particular from harvesting, emphasizing the tenderness and integrity of the buds and leaves. After brewing, the tea soup is bright jade green, tasting fresh and mellow, a favorite of many tea connoisseurs.

🍵 Biluochun: The Biluochun tea leaves are curled in a spiral shape, made from the tender buds picked in spring. Since the Kangxi Emperor personally named it, Biluochun became one of the premium tribute teas. Its tea soup presents a bright emerald green hue, tasting refreshingly sweet and smooth, exuding a delicate aroma.

🍵 Jade Needle: Jade Needle green tea has slender leaves shaped like sunflower seeds with a yellowish-green color. In the production of high-quality Jade Needle, only the tender bud leaves are selected, and the emphasis is on preserving the integrity of the tea leaves, giving the tea soup a fresh, smooth character. Among the many Jade Needle green teas, the "Meitan Cuiyu" from Guizhou is the most famous. When drinking it, the refreshing and pleasant flavor is intoxicating, leaving a long-lasting aftertaste that is hard to let go.

🍵 Downy Tip: Among the Downy Tip teas, the "Xinyang Maojian" is renowned as one of the 10 famous teas in China, named after the white downy tips on the tightly rolled slender leaves. Downy Tip tea is typically picked with one bud and one leaf or one bud and two leaves as the standard. After production, the tea leaves appear as tightly rolled straight strips. When brewed, the tea soup has a bright green color, a lasting high aroma, a rich flavor with a chestnut-like fragrance, and a smooth, lingering aftertaste.

🍵 Rain Flower Tea: The premium Rain Flower Tea is a high-quality needle-shaped tender leaf tea. The tea variety originates from Nanjing, while the roasting technique comes from Sichuan. Due to the complex handmade production process, limited harvesting season, and a maximum of 250g per roasting batch, this tea is very rare. After brewing with hot water, the tea exudes a fresh and elegant aroma, with a rich and mellow taste and a lingering sweet fragrance.

🍵 Snow Jasmine: The tea soup of Snow Jasmine has a jade-like translucent green luster. During the brewing process, you can witness the well-defined, soft tea leaves gradually unfurl, releasing the jasmine flower aroma. Upon tasting, you will experience the clear and bright fresh jasmine fragrance, balancing the bitterness of the green tea. After drinking, the lingering jasmine aroma is like a gentle breeze caressing your face, with the floral fragrance lingering, making you indulge in it again and again.

3. Six types of Japanese Green Tea

🍵 Sencha: Sencha is divided into two types: "lightly steamed" and "deeply steamed". The lightly steamed variety accounts for over 70% of Japan's national production and is a relatively classic Japanese green tea. The main production area is Shizuoka tea gardens, with only one harvesting period per year, so if you miss it, you have to wait until next year. After lightly steaming the tea leaves for half a minute, they immediately go through the rolling and drying processes. As a result, the taste is natural and rustic, with a smooth mouthfeel, allowing you to enjoy the purest tea leaf aroma.

🍵 Hojicha: After high-temperature roasting, the tea leaves of Hojicha turn into a coffee color, and as the moisture content decreases, the taste becomes smoother and sweeter. Without the bitterness of tea, and with a lower caffeine content after high-temperature roasting, it is suitable for the elderly, children, people with insomnia, and those with gastrointestinal issues. It can help relax the mind and relieve stress.

🍵 Genmaicha: Genmaicha is a blend of Sencha and roasted brown rice. When brewed, in addition to the aroma of green tea, it also releases a fragrance of grains, adding a rich and mellow mouthfeel to Sencha. Genmaicha has a lower caffeine content, and the brown rice can help warm the stomach, making it an approachable tea choice.

🍵 Kukicha: As the name suggests, Kukicha is a Japanese green tea made from the stems of the tea plant. The high-quality stems of Japanese green tea have a fresh taste and a slightly astringent aroma. Since the stems receive less sunlight exposure than the leaves during photosynthesis, they contain less tannins, resulting in a smoother, sweeter, and more refreshing taste when brewed, making it very easy to drink.

🍵 Matcha Genmaicha: Matcha Genmaicha is made by adding premium matcha powder to roasted brown rice green tea, giving it a fresher and smoother flavor compared to Genmaicha. The first brew has the aroma of matcha, while the rice fragrance gradually appears in the second brew, allowing you to enjoy the rich rice aroma and the refreshing notes of Sencha, making it a sophisticated and multi-layered tea.

🍵 Sakura Sencha: Made from tea leaves from Shizuoka, Japan, with cherry blossoms added during the production process. When brewed, the tea soup has a rich layered flavor. The sweetness of green tea, combined with the fragrance of cherry blossoms, creates a sensation of being surrounded by a sea of flowers, making you feel refreshed and rejuvenated.

Learn about Japanese Tea & Culture in Here!

Lesser-known Facts about Green Tea

Does Green Tea contain a lot of caffeine?

Are you concerned about the caffeine content in your tea? While caffeine can provide a refreshing boost, it may also affect sleep patterns and lead to symptoms like palpitations and anxiety.

But fear not! Green tea is here to save the day. With its lower caffeine content compared to other teas, Green tea is an excellent choice for those seeking a pick-me-up without the negative side effects.

By brewing it using the cold infusion method, you can further reduce the caffeine content. However, it's still important to adjust your consumption based on personal preferences and circumstances.

Low-Caffeine Great Choice! Cold Brew Tea Sachets

Who should be mindful when drinking Green Tea?

Even though Green tea offers numerous benefits, certain groups should exercise caution when consuming it.

1. Osteoporosis Patients: Green tea contains caffeine, which is one of the risk factors for osteoporosis. Caffeine has a mild diuretic effect, increasing the excretion of calcium in urine.

2. Iron-Deficiency Anemia Patients: The tannins in Green tea can bind to iron. Prolonged consumption of large amounts of Green tea by individuals with iron-deficiency anemia may worsen their condition.

3. Women during Menstruation: Women lose a significant amount of iron during menstruation. As Green tea contains tannins, excessive consumption can interfere with iron absorption. It is advisable to avoid excessive intake and ensure an adequate intake of iron-rich foods.

Regardless of the type of tea, moderation is key. It is recommended that adults limit their Green tea consumption to 5 to 6 cups per day (based on caffeine intake).

By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the benefits of Green tea without worrying about any potential harm to your body. So go ahead, sip your Green tea and embrace a healthier lifestyle!

Who should be mindful when consuming Green Tea?

When is the Best Time to Drink Green Tea? Discover the Optimal Moments for Tea Enjoyment!

Due to the presence of tannic acid in tea, drinking Green tea on an empty stomach can stimulate excessive stomach acid production, potentially irritating the digestive system. If you wish to have Green tea in the morning, it is recommended to wait for one hour after breakfast to enjoy it, as this can also provide a refreshing and invigorating effect. Additionally, having a cup of Green tea in the afternoon can alleviate the drowsiness often experienced during that time, effectively boosting productivity!

But can you drink Green tea at night? Absolutely! As long as you choose the right brewing method and tea variety, Green tea can be enjoyed in the evening too! In terms of brewing, cold-brewed tea contains approximately 20% less caffeine compared to hot-brewed tea. Moreover, the previously mentioned "Hojicha" is also suitable for evening consumption, as the high-temperature roasting significantly reduces the caffeine content, making it less likely to disrupt sleep.

There is a belief circulating online that "Drinking Green tea at night aids in weight loss." While the catechins in Green tea do contribute to a faster metabolism, there is currently no research to directly confirm the relationship between Green tea and weight loss. It is important to note that the key to weight loss lies in maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise. However, during the weight loss process, replacing sugary beverages with unsweetened Green tea can still be beneficial!

綠茶空腹喝傷胃？晚上喝綠茶減肥有用嗎？

由於茶中的單寧酸會讓胃酸分泌異常，早上空腹喝綠茶容易對腸胃造成刺激，如果想早上喝綠茶的話，建議吃完早餐後 1 小時再飲用，還可以達到提神醒腦的效果。而午後來上一杯綠茶，也可以緩解下午昏昏欲睡的狀況，有效提升工作效率！

那晚上能不能喝綠茶呢？只要挑對沖泡方式與茶款，晚上也是可以喝綠茶的！以沖泡方式來說，冷泡茶的咖啡因會比熱泡茶少 20% 左右；而前面有介紹到的「焙茶」也很適合晚上飲用，高溫烘烤後的茶葉咖啡因含量會大幅降低，比較不容易影響睡眠。

在網路上還有一種說法是「晚上喝綠茶可以減肥」，綠茶中的兒茶素的確有助於加快新陳代謝，但喝綠茶和減肥是否直接相關，目前還沒有研究可以證實。只能說減肥的不二法門還是均衡飲食和規律運動，不過在減肥過程中，可以用無糖綠茶取代含糖茶飲，還是能對減肥有所幫助喔！

Satisfy both Gifting and Personal Enjoyment

Hong Kong Green Tea Recommendationg! The Best Choice for Tea Lovers

Looking to buy high-quality tea but unsure where to go? Look no further than Chinese Tea Gallery, a local gem in Hong Kong! As a branch of Fook Wah Tea House, which has been in business for over 60 years, if you've ever been to a tea house in Hong Kong, chances are you've already tasted our tea leaves.

Chinese Tea Gallery is dedicated to bridging the gap between tea and lifestyle. Whether you seek the healing power of good tea to soothe your mind and body, want to savor life's moments, or wish to give the gift of tea, carrying the most precious sentiments, you'll find the perfect tea recommendations at Chinese Tea Gallery.

Green Tea Recommendations at Chinese Tea Gallery

If you're a light drinker, and unsure which tea suits you best, or if you're eager to explore new flavors but afraid of not liking them, worry not! Chinese Tea Gallery has carefully selected four popular chinese Green tea highlighting their aroma and taste profiles. This ensures that everyone can find their favorite tea among our selection!

Dragon Well | Nostalgic | Tea-riffic Tins | 25g

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Dragon Well | Nostalgic | Tea-riffic Tins | 25g

HK$70.00

Dragon Well

Dragon Well, also known as "Longjing, it is one of China's most famous teas, as Dragon Well is harvested between March and April and shares a flat tea shape.

The tea is harvested before the Ching Ming Festival, and the best quality Dragon Well tea is grown in the West Lake region.

Dragon Well tea has a delicate aroma, a fresh and rounded taste, and a lingering vegetal finish.

It has several health benefits, including lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, and reducing heat in the body.

Experience the Pure Taste of Green Tea

Peppermint | Iconic vibe | Tea-riffic Tins | 30g

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Peppermint | Iconic vibe | Tea-riffic Tins | 30g

HK$60.00

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint Tea, made with the base of Biluochun Green Tea and infused with refreshing peppermint leaves, adds a cool and invigorating touch to its delicate tea aroma.

It offers a refreshing taste that leaves a delightful sensation.

This special blend is a modification by our experts, and it is also perfect for cold brewing!

Discover Refreshing & Light-bodied Delight

Jasmine | Elegant floral | Tea-riffic Tins | 30g

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Jasmine | Elegant floral | Tea-riffic Tins | 30g

HK$60.00

Jasmine Tea

Jasmine tea, a traditional Green tea frequently enjoyed in Dim Sum restaurants. This premium-grade Jasmine Tea offers a perfect balance of the rich freshness of Green tea and the delicate aroma of jasmine flowers. Its smooth, gentle taste is highly cherished among the people of Hong Kong.

Ideal for Floral Scent Enthusiasts