All about Green Tea

All varieties of tea (Black, Green, White, Oolong) come from leaves of the plant Camellia
Sinensis. Camellia flourishes between the latitudes of the Tropic of Cancer and
Capricorn and is native to most of Southeast Asia, but is cultivated throughout the world
in over a dozen countries. Interestingly, tea is the second-most commonly consumed
beverage in the world next to water and can be found in nearly 80% of all U.S.
households.

Tea Processing

The production of tea entails many steps:
• Harvesting: Also known as “plucking” is achieved by picking only the new shoots from the pruned bush. Should be compromised of 2 leaves and a bud.
• Withering: Once manufacturing facility receives the leaf, it is laid out evenly on ventilated
bins. Ambient air circulates through the leaf for several hours causing it to lose about 50%
of its moisture content resulting in a soft pliable leaf ready for processing.
• Rolling/cutting: The soft leaf is processed through a series of machines designed to break
and tear the plant cells exposing the remaining cell moisture to the air
• Oxidation: Depending on the type of tea being produced, the ground leaves are allowed
to be exposed to the air. This stage is controlled for time, temperature and humidity.
• Drying: The leaf is heated in ovens at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes. This
results in a product with about 5% residual moisture.

Green Tea Process

The difference between Green and Black Tea results from the various degrees of oxidation:
• Black: Oxidized for up to two hours.
• Green: No oxidation occurs. Instead, leaves are steamed or pan fired immediately after
rolling/cutting.
• Taste Difference: Since there are various types of Black and Green Teas, it is hard to
compare the tastes. Due to their different taste profiles, it would be like comparing apples
to oranges.

Health Benefits of Green Tea

Just to name a few…
• Green tea has powerful antioxidants, polyphenols and flavonoids that help to strengthen your immune system.
• Studies have shown that green tea has the potential to fight off many forms of cancer including prostate and lung cancers.
• Ability to lower blood cholesterol.
• Effective in the prevention and reduction of weight gain.
• Used in traditional medicine to keep blood sugar levels stabilized.