Exotic Green Tea - Luxurious health in a cup.
Green tea back to the ancient times always was, and still to this day is, China's most popular type of tea where most scholars and botanists will tell you the tea plant roots first grew in Asia. Why has this reputation passed the test of time? I believe because not only does premium green tea divest the taste, scent and color of spring, but delivers these sensory wonders while at the same time containing the highest concentration of advantageous phytonutrients yet less caffeine than other teas.
As is the case with most things in life, not all things are created equal and this is true for tea as well. With the health benefits of Green Tea being given added attention of late in the press and store marketing we will explore what these benefits are for you and how you can find gourmet green tea to fill your next cup.
For at least the last 4,000 years green tea has been used in Chinese medicine. Modern scientific research done both in Asia and Western Countries has since provided evidence
strongly suggesting these long associated advantages have merit. In 1994 the Journal of the National Cancer institute conducted an epidemiological study that indicated the drinking of green tea resulted in a sixty percent decrease of esophageal cancer in both Chinese Men and women. Researchers at the University of Purdue have also recently determined that a compound, specifically its catechin content, inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
Aside from the cancer fighting benefits when you drink green teas research has shown you can expect it to be helpful for rheumatoid arthritis, high cholesterol levels, cardiovascular disease, impaired immune function and preventing infection.
In order to benefit from these properties while drinking a luxury tea that sets its self apart from the standard supermarket fare; premium green teas can be most easily found at a speciality shops or an industry focused online tea store. Rare Green teas can be ordered conveniently online and many of the top stores will offer these fine drinks in either Loose, bags, or extract forms and for an added treat you may want to buy organic to ensure both health and luxury will be attained.
Of the many varieties one of the most famous of the Chinese variations is grown in Hangzhou, in Chinese its name means Dragon Well. During production it is pan-fired giving it a distinctive flat appearance. Unfortunately counterfeiting of Longjing has become very common, and so the majority of the tea on the market is actually produced in the Sichuan Province. It is therefore not authentic Longjing so make sure to use a reputable supplier when attempting to source this for you collection.
Other famous green Chinese teas are Bi lou Chun, also known as Green Snail Spring tea and Lu An Guapian commonly knows as Melon Seed. Taiping Hou Kui, translating to Monkey Tea, won the "King of Tea" award at the China Tea Exhibition in 2004.
In Japan the green variety is so common that when asking for tea it will be assumed green tea is what you desire. The top Japanese green teas are said to be from the Uji region of Kyoto. Also the Shizuoka Prefecture is famous for its premium green teas.
Green Teas can have a wide range of tastes and the best brand of green teas will be somewhat dependent on your preference. A gourmet green tea gift basket is the best place to start if you are new to this fine drink or considering it as a gift. Loose tea is normally of higher quality than bagged and like other organic food a cup of organic green tea will typically have had more care put into its production.
Which ever brand and style you chose, possibly one of the many exotic offerings with a name you may not even be able to pronounce. Or perhaps a quality name brand recommended by your favorite speciality store you can rest well not just because of the lower caffeine, but in knowing your choice is a healthy one and sure to express your sense of style and fine taste at your next tea party just as the Royalty of past dynasties throughout the centuries.
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