Green tea: composition, properties for the human body, benefit and harm

Green tea is one of the most popular products of our time. Absolutely everyone drinks it: both adults and children.

He came into our lives so much that at the moment many people cannot even imagine their morning or evening without a cup of flavored green tea. He is a regular at any party or tea party. It is especially highly regarded in England, China and the countries of the Far East.

This product contains a huge amount of various antioxidants that protect against the negative effects of free radicals. They drink it with colds, often adding honey or milk.

In China and the countries of the Far East there is an opinion that tea will replace any wine with its invigorating properties. And in China, a very old legend is common. She and now tell residents and tourists about the origin and the discovery of tea. Four thousand years ago, a shepherd who watched over his sheep, saw some of them chewing on the shoots of a tea bush. After the meal, the animals suddenly became different unexpected activity and extreme mobility. The man immediately understood everything, picked some leaves. A little later, he threw them into boiled water, which was the further use of this broth among the people. To this day, people drink this drink, full of magical properties.

For a long time used leaves that have not been processed. It lasted until the I century BC. Later, people still began to roast or dry them.

Over time, in the process of historical development, mankind began to use many tea plantations. Further, drinking such tea in a circle of important people or at any ceremony became something traditional and natural. All these changes took place during the rule of the Tang dynasty, namely in the VII-X centuries. There were also some fun. For example, there were times when famous tea masters arranged certain competitions among themselves. Their task was to prepare the best drink.

In the X-XIII centuries, the traditional dishes of today for the preparation of the drink appeared. Japan did not lag behind China, so branded utensils and even tea ceremonies also appeared in the Land of the Rising Sun.

No exception will be also Korea, and India. This product reached Europe with some delay, only in 1583. It is worth noting that Portugal and the Netherlands are among the first countries to learn about this wonderful broth. England is a country that everyone, without exception, associates with tea. However, it was used only in 1665. Having annexed Ceylon, the British brought their own varieties there, but it was the black varieties that preferred more.

The very first Russian person to try green tea was Mikhail Fedorovich - the Russian Tsar. Then tea was tried by his boyars. All this happened in 1617, when the envoys of the Asian rulers delivered a couple of bags to Moscow. However, this drink did not reach the peasants, only people who were distinguished by their wealth and power drank it. But in the nineteenth century, the peasants also experienced all the positive qualities of this broth. In Russia, Tatars, Kalmyks, Buryats have been using tea for a long time, especially they like a drink with the addition of milk.

For a very long time, citizens of Russia did not like teas with the addition of milk or other products. But when the supply of that very green tea, which was in short supply, began, they radically changed their opinion.

If you leave the question about the origin of green tea, then another one appears, namely what it is, what its chemical composition and properties are. Funny: many people mistakenly believe that green and black tea differ from each other in their plants, which are used as ingredients.But for both, the same leaves are used. Usually it is a tea bush or camellia. However, the approach to these leaves is different.

To make green tea, it is necessary to oxidize its leaves, and then thoroughly steamed. Black is a bit different. It is also worth knowing that green tea is subjected to extremely low fermentation.

We present green tea as a final product of processing, namely: boiling and steaming. If you ask the plantation worker or watch a documentary, you can find out that before the product reaches the consumer, he has the appearance of ordinary raw leaves. They are ripped up, put in a basket, and then sent to the processing sites. Using very hot steam, these leaves ferment. This procedure lasts no more than three days. As for color, it is worth knowing that the color of the raw leaves is green. He, in turn, has already different shades, both light and dark. Brewing a drink, you can see the liquid light color, mostly - green. Its taste is very tart, and the smell is just amazing.

Asians are very fond of the so-called brick tea, which consists of twigs and leaves. Usually they contain at least 70% of the leaves, it highlights their amazing tastes and long shelf life.

Equally important is the chemical composition of the drink:

• vitamin C;
• vitamin K;
• fluorine;
• copper;
• magnesium;
• iodine;
• vitamin P;
• polyphenols;
• caffeine;
• vitamin b1;
• vitamin B2;
• vitamin B15;
• Vitamin PP.

High immunity appears due to vitamin C. It protects the body from various diseases. It is worth noting vitamin B2, which promotes skin elasticity. But all scientists and highly qualified doctors secrete vitamin P, which strengthens blood vessels and the nervous system.

On the market, you can often find “related compositions”. Usually they are bought as a souvenir from an unusual exotic place. Many charlatans and fraudsters unceremoniously take quite a lot of money from their consumers, selling not true fragrant green tea, but the real cheap fake. In order not to fall for the tricks of scammers, it is necessary to explore all the properties and qualities available in high-grade teas.

Varieties and species that are most popular among consumers:

• "Huangshan Maofeng";
• "Ku Ding";
• "Louis Jing";
• "Bai Mayo Hou" and others.

To find the very tea that is able to become a favorite for many years, it will take a lot of patience, work and money. Traveling to various countries, the true fans of this drink do not miss the opportunity to go to the local tea market and look after the product. And it is right. To find exactly what you need, you can not miss a single grade or type.

If we talk about this variety, it is worth remembering that it is among the ten best collectible drinks. He is very famous, collect it in the mountains of Anhui. His collection involved in the early months of spring during the swelling of the kidneys, at the first appearance of young leaves. It is noteworthy that the decoction after cooking remains as fresh as during the collection. At the very end, the leaves are sent to the oven, degrees - for drying. The color of the drink is clearly transparent, and the taste is unique. The water temperature in the cup should be 80 degrees.

In translation, this name means "bitter tear".This tea is endowed with a huge amount of positive qualities, namely: cleansing the body of toxins, lowering pressure, getting rid of extra pounds, and much more.

"White Monkey" - this is the translation into Russian. This tea is composed of buds and leaves. People who had a chance to try it, can not forget the amazing taste and honey color.

So Europeans call the ancient Chinese variety of tea "Black Dragon". It is made from mature leaves. The smell is original and pleasant, and the taste is extremely special - words cannot convey.

Separately it is necessary to say about teabags, although it is difficult to call it tea. The fact is that not tea leaves are often added to the bags, but dust after the processing of this elite leaf tea. Therefore, with the purchase of bags should be more careful and prudent.

You can talk about the useful qualities of tea for a very long time. If in one sentence, then green tea is an incredibly strong drink capable of preventing many diseases. About its composition is written above, and having carefully studied it, you can at least understand something about why he is so in demand in the modern world. It is proved that a person suffering from depression is able to defeat this disease by drinking at least two mugs a day. Green tea has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. In addition, it helps our brain to work more actively and faster, making attention clearer and brighter. Green tea will also be useful for the manifestation of seasickness, and for rocking motion when traveling. When it is used, the vessels are made more elastic, and the pressure quickly normalizes.

It also helps to remove unnecessary wastes that interfere with the full work of the whole organism. In case of poisoning or constipation, it will also be far from superfluous. Many drink it during colic. Another fact tells us that it is very good for losing weight. A large number of girls and women drink this tea in liters, hoping for the cherished deliverance from extra pounds. To some extent this is not in vain. Green tea speeds up metabolic processes, which allows fat to be burned. When used, it increases the ability to purify the blood, which is important for the state of the immune and nervous systems. A person drinking this product is usually distinguished by excellent health, since the body constantly receives doses of vitamin C. Due to this, viruses and diseases bypass the body.

A very valuable quality for women is rejuvenation, which occurs due to the necessary components. The skin becomes supple and soft. There is a smoothing of wrinkles, and the face is ten years younger. The development of diabetes is reduced to almost zero, and the eyes are well protected from conjunctivitis and other eye diseases. Doctors recommend drinking this tea during pregnancy. Since the presence of zinc has a good effect on the fetus and contributes to the birth of a healthy baby. For the hair also has its own bonuses and nice features. Many vitamins make them stronger and stronger, and the loss is reduced almost twice.

Many people drink it with edema. It is believed that the elements and vitamins contained in green tea, accelerate the metabolism and the splitting of salts. Therefore, it can be considered a diuretic. Moreover, in folk medicine it is used very, very widely. Recently, scientists have found caffeine in its leaves - with its help, filtration in the kidneys occurs many times faster and better.

In this question, opinions are divided into two opposing: some believe that it has a sedative effect, while others believe that it gives vigor and activity. It all depends on how the tea was prepared. Many doctors agree that 2 minutes after brewing water at a temperature of 70-80 degrees, tea is considered stimulating. If you add water to an already used brew and insist a few minutes, you get a soothing tea. And in 20-30 minutes the leaves will give all the tonic substances, so the drink will have this property for several more hours.

Like any other product, green tea can also be harmful, and to some extent even dangerous. He has some contraindications.

• There are some drugs that are based on this drink. In such preparations too high concentration of catechins, which creates a surplus of the norm.
• You can not drink this tea and on an empty stomach, as the mucous membranes are directly affected.
• You can not drink it after making alcoholic cocktails, because combined with raw materials, they create very harmful compounds that can disrupt the liver.

Of course you can. For children at their young age, green tea will be most welcome, as its unique properties will influence the children's brain very favorably. The elements in it affect the proper growth of teeth, hair, bones, and so on.

Among all doctors, green tea has only good reviews and characteristics. In medical programs, it is recommended to drink it because it has a positive effect on pressure, the nervous, reproductive and urinary systems. Of course, you can list for a long time, but, nevertheless, all doctors are similar in one thing - this product can and should be drunk. But some positive qualities do not exist in any broth, and this is no exception. All the pros and cons described above.

Green tea production is profitable and very stable. Due to its immense popularity, a huge number of different companies took over its production. Here are some of the most popular.

• Tess. It is strange why it is so popular, since its taste simply cannot match the taste of true leaf tea. This is due to the fact that such products, placed in bags, are not real tea. It is rather a product remaining after processing, or, more simply, dust.

• It is impossible to ignore the Thai manufacturer - Siam Tea Factory. Most people who tried this drink assured that there is nothing tastier than this in the world. This is especially true of tea from this series, but with the addition of milk. This is a unique special blend of local herbs and green tea, its taste will be remembered for many years.

• Lipton. Another very well-known company that supplies teabags to the world. The taste is not bad, but if during tea-drinking we remember what is in these bags, then the desire to drink up will instantly disappear.
• GreenField. Pretty good brand products. The manufacturer can offer its customers as well as sheet and packaged products. However, to get involved in them is not particularly worth it. It is best to pay attention to goods of higher quality and, accordingly, prices.

For proper brewing, only high-quality tea leaves of high grade are required, preferably varieties of large leaves. In these sheets, the desired properties are much more, and when brewing, the taste and aroma are noticeably better and more pleasant. To brew it, take purified water, preferably water from a bottle or filtered. In situations where there is no such liquid at hand - use the settled. It is not worth pouring out from under the tap, as this water may contain bleach or other substances that can spoil the taste and health. But also in no case can not boil water a second or third time. For the best brewing need only fresh water.

So, water is poured into the kettle, then they put it to warm - on the stove or fire. It is very important to remove it in time. The Chinese of the old school claim that it is necessary to use "live" water for the necessary drink. By “living” they mean that water that has not been in a state of boiling for too long. But nevertheless, it should be hot anyway, otherwise there will be no welding.

People from China and many experts advise the use of kettles and other dishes, which consist directly of porcelain. It perfectly keeps in itself warmth, and also allows the drink to collect in itself all those necessary qualities with which the above-mentioned tea is so famous. Next, the kettle rinse thoroughly with boiling water - it helps to heat it. Then tea leaves are added there. At this stage, you need to be extremely careful, because the amount of tea depends on the amount of tea leaves added to the dishes. Then, the resulting is filled with "living" water and cover with a lid. If actions are carried out in a cold time, then a pre-heated towel can be put on top - this allows the tea to keep it warm and not to cool.

The brewing process lasts 2-6 minutes. Then the already obtained drink is poured into pre-prepared cups. But in the East, there is one ritual, without which the spill in no case can not begin. A small amount of drink is poured into a cup, and then returned to the kettle. The procedure is repeated four times, after which you have to wait at least another minute. This is necessary only to ensure that the liquid boils more thoroughly and becomes homogeneous. This ritual has the name "marriage", and it came from Central Asia. If in Russian - then the very tea leaves and water marry among themselves. After that, the tea turns out the best of the best.

There are also rules for drinking this drink. Real gourmets say that such additions as sucrose, honey, milk and others - spoil the drink and do not allow to feel its true taste. But everyone has their own preferences.

And this is not the only rule. Different nations of the world have others.

• In no case do not take it on an empty stomach. If this is done, then invariable processes will go that will lead to the fact that the stomach, having nothing inside, will literally digest the emptiness. And besides, this tea makes the acidity of the stomach much higher. About after a good meal, drinking it is very pleasant and helpful - it facilitates the process of digesting food.
• Do not drink tea without enjoying its flavor. The vapors that he produces have many useful properties for human skin, and not only for the skin - the respiratory organs can also benefit from it.
• Girls and women who drink this drug in order to lose weight should be aware that this should be done immediately after a meal. This process speeds up the metabolism and in addition, the calories are completely absent.

• The desired result can be achieved only with regular drinking.
• Many people drink it in the morning, since the vigor that can be obtained from it is equivalent to the vigor from coffee drinks.
• Tea prepared earlier, for example, a few hours ago, warming is strictly prohibited. Such an action is considered "blasphemy." It is necessary to pour, and drink cold, adding, for example, a slice of lemon or other ingredients.
• Newly born women are encouraged to add milk to the drink - this contributes to the favorable feeding of the newborn.
• In no case do they drink it with alcohol, it has a strong effect on the kidneys, and not from the best side.
• They also don’t drink it with drugs - it reduces the treatment process, makes the drugs not so effective.

Going into the store, you must immediately pay attention to the appearance of the goods offered, namely: the color of the leaves, which should be a light green color without haze and various shortcomings. In no case it is impossible to take a seized tea - it adversely affects the body and all of health in general. Its “age” is determined by slags and various debris in it. If it is more than 20%, then it must be immediately postponed, forgetting about it forever. Large-leaved species differ in their quality and taste. Here it is necessary to choose those leaflets that are distinguished by their integrity and lack of cuttings.

Another important factor is the moisture content of the product. To determine it, take a few leaves and rub them with two fingers. The overdried tea breaks easily and quickly, but if it has acquired the appearance of dust, then it is quite old - its service life has long passed.

If the place where tea is held has too high humidity, then it will quickly become a breeding ground for mold, fungus and various bacteria and, accordingly, cannot be acquired. If a product such as green tea is too moist, then it is dramatically compressed during a crush. Store this product can be no more than one and a half years. But it is also important to know that it is necessary to acquire this raw material by weight, and before that it needs to be smelled. Poor quality gives out the flavor of hay and fruit. Tea in bags, as mentioned above, can not be consumed and purchased in any case - it is not tea, but more often - its residues after processing.

A separate conversation about the price. Any adequate person should understand that this high quality raw material will not have a low price. Every cost depends on the quality and variety. Prices range from 200 to 1500 dollars, or from 300 to 1000 rubles. And here we are talking about 50 grams.

The choice of tea and its preparation should also be approached very responsibly and strictly. In principle, this is not as difficult as it seems, the main thing is to examine its appearance and check for moisture levels. An individual variety is required for each person, so when buying, you should rely only on personal preferences and tastes.

As for welding, there is an individual approach for each product. Before use, you must carefully study the instructions, and then perform the necessary actions directly on it.

To learn how to brew green tea, see the next video.