The Origins of Green Tea
Green tea has its origins in China, dating back to 2737 BC. Legend has it that the Chinese Emperor Shennong discovered it accidentally when he drank water with a dead teak lead boiled inside, finding the flavor refreshing. Initially expensive, green tea was limited to the elite until the 14th century when it became more widely available for everyone’s enjoyment and medicinal use.
In the Tang Dynasty around 800 AD, Lu Yu, a Chinese man adopted by a Buddhist monk, wrote “Cha Jing” or “The Classic of Tea,” a groundbreaking book on tea culture. Growing up serving tea, his passion for it deepend, leading to extensive research and the creation of this seminal work, the first to document green tea culture and art.
In the 19th century, green tea gained popularity in the West through European explorers. Renowned for uts exceptional taste, it became a prized commodity and was adopted as Great Britain's national beverage alongside black tea. When English settlers ventured to America, they brought with them the allure of green tea, affectionately dubbed “bullet tea” due to its bullet-like shape during shipment. The colonists developed a strong fondness for green tea, leading to its widespread popularity and eventually prompting Parliament to levy a Tea Tax in 1767. This tax incited the famous Boston Tea Party, during which 45 tons of valuable green tea were famously dumped into the harbor.
The Processing
Tea, originating from the Camellia Sinensis plant, comes in various colors - black, green, or white - determined by the level of oxidation during drying. Green tea, with its shorter drying time to limit oxidation, retains its green color. After moisture evaporation, the leaves undergo heating for cooking and curling, with methods varying by region. Chinese green teas are pan-fried resulting in a paler color, while Japanese varieties are deep-steamed for a brighter green hue. Hand-rolling the leaves at the end defines different tea types and removes excess moisture or sap.
Health Benefits
Green tea is praised as a superfood and one of the healthiest beverages due to its rich content of vitamins and antioxidants. Its unoxidized nature results in a high concentration of chlorophyll, polyphenols, and antioxidants, which combat free radicals responsible for aging and diseases. Studies suggest that green tea aids in fat burning, boosts metabolism, and reduces abdominal fat, although individual effects may vary. It also improves cardiovascular health by enhancing cholesterol levels and preventing heart disease. Additionally, green tea enhances brain function, protects against neurodegenerative diseases, and improves cognitive performance. These benefits make green tea a highly recommended addition to one's daily routine.