Enjoy Your Health

The World of Chinese Green Tea

When someone says green tea, we usually will think of the Asian culture and how this type of tea relates to it. However, when we look deeper into the cup of these teas, it can be noticed that different types of teas and the processes that are used to produce the drink are used. If you are trying out the different teas for size, you might want to consider Chinese green tea to see what this extract can do for you.

Chinese green tea is well known mostly because it is the oldest type of tea that has been used. While other cultures in this area have produced the tea for one or two thousand years, the Chinese have produced it for over 4,000 years. In the world of tea, this gives them a strong running start with their ability to produce different flavors and stronger teas for those who are interested in the health benefits.

Like other types of green teas from other cultures, it is not the green tea leaf that causes the flavor or difference. Instead it is the processes that are used in order to present a tea that has stronger health benefits, different flavor and the ability to affect one differently. The Chinese green tea market has this understanding, with the production of over fifty different processes and flavors that are used for the market.

If you want to know where to start when investigating the various Chinese green teas that are available, it is best to begin with your taste buds. Many of the teas that are offered from this culture will be divided first by process, then by the result that the process makes. For example, some of the teas will produce a sweeter taste, or the opposite, a bitter taste. Other times, the teas that are offered will be mixed with other beneficial fruits or herbs, such as oranges, in order to give an extra tang.

The next types of teas that are offered from this culture will vary because of the plant that is being used. You may find that you like the flavor of one plant over another; something you will notice with time. The plants that are produced are mostly different because of the places they grow. Some will have the ability to have longer buds, while others will darker plant. Other tea leaves will be picked in different seasons, giving a slightly different texture and taste to the leaves.

No matter what your preference becomes, the Chinese green tea can make sure to take care of your taste bud needs. Through mixtures and different types of growth, this type of green tea is sure to settle well with you. You can begin to explore the different offerings that can be made by simple taste tests that will offer you the best of this world.

Brew Perfect Tea

Tea in its various forms has been an everyday staple for centuries. Yet even in todays society of forward thinkers and gadget lovers, its not easy to find someone who has perfected the art of tea making.

Making a truly great cup of tea is more than dunking a bag into a mug of hot water. It is a delicate art that some may learn by trial and error or by reading tea-making books. Others may never learn at all.

There are seven factors that are required in brewing tea:

Quality of Tea Be sure that the tea you buy is from a reputable source. The tea must be fresh, and should have been processed correctly if it is to produce optimal results.

Quality of Water Water mustnt be taken for granted. Begin with fresh, tasty to brew the perfect cup of tea. Those poor souls who start with distilled water will never know the taste of good tea.

Measurement There is no magical formula for measuring tea, as personal preference plays a major role in the finished product. Some like a strong cup of tea, while others prefer a light brew. Generally, the standard ratio is one rounded teaspoon of tealeaves for one eight-ounce cup of water. Find your own perfect measure based on the density of the tealeaves you use.

Steeping Time This also varies depending on the type of tea. Black teas take 4 to 6 minutes; Oolongs 3 to 8 minutes; Darjeeling, green and white teas take 2 to 3 minutes. Puerh teas need at least 7 to 8 minutes, with some requiring up to 20 minutes steeping time. Herbal infusions require a minimum of 5 minutes, with some reaching optimal brew at 10 minutes or more.

Steeping Temperature Different varieties of tea require different steeping temperatures. Black tea is best brewed with water boiled at 212 degrees. Oolong tea should be brewed between 190 to 203 degrees. Use water at 160 to 180 degrees for green tea, and 150 to 160 degrees for white tea. Herbal and puerh teas should be brewed with boiling water for best results.

Room to Brew Tea should be brewed in large, deep pans to enable the leaves to expand 3 to 5 times their original size. Tea balls are not the best choice, as they do not allow room for expansion and prevent the full flavour from being released into the liquid. Brewing leaves loose in the pot still produced the best tea flavour.

Separate Leaf From Liquid Most teas will turn bitter if steeped too long. Use a tea infuser or strain the leaves from the brewed tea.

First thing in the morning to late at night, while socializing or simply stealing a quiet moment of solitude, tea is a wonderful complement any time of the day. Follow a few simple steps and you will master the art of brewing the perfect cup of tea.

Linda Davis writes for several web sites, on food and beverages topics.

Iced Green Tea Recipe

Here’s a video showing a recipe on how to make iced green tea. Its actually very simple!

Maximizing Weight Loss Benefits in Green Tea

A standardized weight loss herbal extract of pure green tea is needed in order to maximize it’s weight loss benefits. The market offers several green tea weight loss products that do not use standardized extract. These non-standardized weight loss products are cheaper but do not contain enough active substances to have any significant weight loss benefits.

Scientists and traditional herbalists believe that better weight loss results are achieved when green tea is used in conjunction with other weight loss herbs and with other nutrients. So before buying a product for losing weight, it is advisable that you choose a product that contains a rich blend of herbs, minerals and nutrients.

Green tea when combined with ginger and olive leaf helps lower cholesterol and promotes weight loss. It also helps stop blood vessel constriction while CoQ 10 protects the heart and ensure blood pressure levels. By mixing green tea with CoQ 10, you will not only achieve maximum weight loss but you will also be able maintain the health of several body systems at one time.

The Ideal Green Tea Weight Loss Product

The first thing to make sure of when buying tea products is to see if the manufacturer of the tea extract follows strict GMP compliance, the manufacturing standard used throughout the world. Having GMP approval assures you that you are getting a product of the highest quality.

Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, herbal products such as tea are considered dietary supplements. This means that the success or effectiveness of these products do not have any guarantees. Companies or manufacturers that claim 100% success in their products are doing false advertising and should not be patronized.

For assurance that you’re getting your money’s worth when you buy a green tea product, find a product that is using standardized tea extract. Look for strict GMP compliance and make sure that the manufacturer of the green tea product has all the proper credentials in product formulation.