Come and share a pot of tea,
My home is warm and my friendship’s free

–Emilie Barnes

 

 

While speaking of Aromas and Flavors, the first aroma which emanates from my kitchen every morning is that of Green tea. A cup of warm, unsweetened, unflavored green tea with the morning newspaper is something I look forward to each day. Green tea in itself has a uniquely refreshing aroma and a distinct flavor which rejuvenates and refreshes you with every sip, giving a perfect power packed start for the day. It has a character of palate cleanser which fills in the flavor gaps. When brewed well, it leaves a sweet after taste in the mouth. Green tea is actually an acquired taste. You might not really find it extraordinary if you are trying it for the first time, but the taste grows on you with every cup you drink.

 

While Green tea is best had unsweetened and without any additional flavors, there are many ways you can enjoy this cup of health and joy. If you are hesitant to try the artificially flavored teas so easily available in the stores, you can flavor it up by adding a dash of lemon juice and honey. Alternatively, you can chill the brewed tea and add some fresh fruit juice to it and serve it over crushed ice. Any seasonal fruit juice will work fine.

I experimented by adding fruit cordials. The blue one you see below is the lemon and orange cordial with green tea. The red one is a mix of strawberry, raspberry and blueberry cordials. Both of them tasted extra ordinarily good.

Green tea is a traditional Chinese beverage, being prepared from the plant Camellia Sinensis. Green tea, unlike other teas, is not fermented; the young tea leaves are lightly steamed before being dried. Steaming inactivates the enzymes (polyphenol oxides and peroxides) thus preserving the polyphenols, the active constituents in the herb.Green tea is one of world’s richest sources of antioxidants. One of the main antioxidants found in green tea (EGCG) has been found to be 100 times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times than vitamin E.

Green tea is a fast catching fitness fad today. It is gaining popularity due to its purported health benefits.

Green Tea vs. Diabetes:

Green tea polyphenols inhibit amylase and sucrose, so the starch is broken down more slowly and thereby the blood glucose level is decreased. It may also reduce the intestinal absorption of glucose and found to enhance the insulin activity.

Green Tea & Heart:

Green tea plays a role in reducing the negative effects of bad cholesterol, lowering triglyceride levels, and increasing the production of good cholesterol, thus improving the LDL-HDL cholesterol ratio.

Green Tea vs. Arthritis:

Green tea protects the joints against cartilage breakdown and reduces inflammation thereby preventing arthritis.

Green Tea vs. Obesity:

Green tea could help weight loss by increasing the metabolic rate, speed up fat oxidation and by preventing the digestion of carbohydrates.

Green Tea vs. Ageing:

Green tea may delay ageing by preventing the accumulation of free radicals and the resultant damage to the DNA and by enhancing the immunity.

Green Tea & Teeth :

Green helps prevent tooth decay and fights cavities by inhibiting the growth of oral bacteria.

Green Tea as a Beauty Aid:

Green tea on topical application may protect the skin against the damage caused by ultraviolet rays and also act as a skin rejuvenator.

 

 

4-5 cups of green tea per day with its antioxidants and anti-ageing properties could help to safe guard you from several diseases.

 

Brew it Right:

• Do not boil the tea leaves in water.
• Pour the freshly boiled water into a teapot. The water should be hot (85°-90° C) Not very hot before adding the tea leaves.
• Infuse for two minutes only otherwise the tea may taste bitter.
• Strain and serve.
• Do not add milk.
• If you prefer, sweeten with sugar or honey.
• Enjoy it warm or cold.

 

If you are not already drinking Green tea, it is high time you start this healthy habit.

Next time you are at the department store, I am pretty sure your hand is going to involuntarily pick up that attractive Green tea pack. Go ahead, don’t think………..

 

I am taking my Green tea to Justine’s first tea party Tea Time # 1. Congrats Justine. All the best. She also happens to celebrate a fellow blogger Andy Townsend’s birthday. Good wishes to Andy and a hearty welcome to our community. Come and join me …..

This one is for you Justine ☕