WHAT IS GREEN TEA?

Green tea actually comes from the same plant as black tea, the camellia sinensis. It is processed differently as the leaves are not allowed to ferment. The tea is, instead, pan-fired, rolled and fire to prevent oxidation, thus causing the leaves to remain green.

BREWING GREEN TEA:

The water temperature is important when brewing green tea. If the water is too hot it will cook the leaves, causing the tea to taste bitter. The water temperature should be between 140°F - 185°F. If you do not have a thermometer here is an easy way to achieve perfect water temperature:

Boil your water and pour into teapot or glass cup and let sit 1-2 minutes to reach 160°F - 170°F (green tea) or 2-3 minutes to reach 140°F - 150°F (white tea). Then add tea and brew for the specified amount of time (usually 1-3 minutes for green tea).

GREEN TEA’S HEALTH BENEFITS:
Green tea retains more health benefits than black tea because of the lack of processing which allows it to retain many of the nutrients. The most potent forms of polyphenols, found in all teas, can be found in green tea.

GREEN TEA AND CAFFEINE:
Green tea averages 20 milligrams of caffeine per serving compared to coffee’s 80 milligrams. Green tea can be re-steeped, so your second cup would contain little or no caffeine.