The camellia sinensis is one of the most widely grown plants in the world, and from the oxidization of its leaves, comes the invention of tea. In this article, I’ll be discussing my all time favorite: green tea.
Green tea is probably one of the most principal and foundational teas you can have in your collection. It has a consistent subtle taste, even amongst the many different kinds, soothing but not overpowering, and is an excellent breakfast staple. Green tea is known to have many benefits, which I’ll discuss in this article.
Areas it affects: metabolism, brain
Best for what ailments?: inflammation, cellular health
Green tea is the tea that I’ve drank the most in my life. Even before I became interested in the process behind the cultivation of the plant itself or what it meant to have high quality tea leaves, it was the most prominent and easily accessible tea to me. Any store that sells tea has a green tea of some sort, and as my tastes and knowledge has evolved, it still remains a must in my rotation.
What makes green tea good for health?
The main benefits of green tea, like many others, are derived from these healthy nutrients and compounds:
- polyphenols > catechins > ECGC
- caffeine
- L-theanine
I discussed polyphenols in my first Hot Girl Tea Remedies article about hibiscus, and as with most teas derived from the same plant, they are present in green teas too. In green teas specifically, these nutrients help with a variety of issues including anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory compounds and the type of polyphenols that are most dominant in green teas are catechins, more specifically epigallocatrchin gallate, known as ECGC, a well studied antioxidant which helps to protect cells and promote healthy blood sugar.
What makes catechins good for you?
There are a lot of scientific health articles on the study of catechins and the effects they have on the body, but simply put, catechins are high in antioxidants, specifically fat oxidation, and are beneficial to increasing thermogenesis, which promotes metabolism boosting. Green tea is a great metabolic supplement, along with diet and exercise, and I personally prefer to drink it in the morning for this reason, especially to break the fast.
The other two I listed, caffeine and L-theanine, have direct effects on the brain. Tea has always been a subtle and healthy way to consume caffeine (in moderation), as caffeine is a stimulant (which can also aid in weight loss*), while L-theanine is an amino acid that affects certain brain chemicals, including serotonin and dopamine, improving cognitive function and helping with stress, relaxation, and sleep. Both of these compounds are contained naturally in green tea.
Green tea has a subtle, earthy flavor that can easily be consumed alone (in my opinion) or mixed for a sweeter taste. When brewed cold, green tea is a popular summer drink choice that meshes well with a variety of fruit juices such as lemon juice, peach, pineapple or mango juice.
An iced loose leaf tea brew recipe that I like:
- Brew loose leaf green tea as normal in hot water (I use a glass teapot with a steeper!)
- Steep tea for desired amount of time (normally 5-10 minutes, depending on tea leaves or personal preference)
- Chill in fridge (exact time depends on how much you make, overnight is preferred)
- Mix with fruit juice of your choice (1 cup of juice for every 2 cups of tea)
- Half a cup of lemon juice (1/2 cup of lemon juice, per 1 cup of other juice)
- Serve over ice
- Add organic honey for extra sweetness and stir!
Other herbs that I enjoy with green tea:
- Lychee
- Rose Petals
- Raspberry
- Cherry
- Almonds
- Peach
In conclusion, you can’t go wrong with green tea. It’s one of the most popular and widely available flavors in the world for a reason. There’s endless benefits beyond the ones discussed in the scope of this article and it’s a great tea for beginners or a must have in any collection. Let me know your favorite ways to consume green tea and follow along for more!
Thank you so much!!!!
Hot Girl Health 
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