Surprisingly,
a drink so accessible, tasty, and easy to prepare can bring positive effects on
the body and at the same time provide such a comforting sensation.
Green
tea is for us a recent discovery, a companion of pleasant moments that conquers
us sip by sip, but in the East, it is one of the fibers that weave a life,
intimately linked to men for almost 5,000 years, and an essential part of their
culture.
The
major tea-producing countries are China and India, well ahead of Sri Lanka,
Kenya, Indonesia, Turkey, and Japan. Fewer than ten countries produce green
tea, with China leading the way.
The
Japanese case is curious because it is in second place, but only exports 2%,
mainly to the United States, and even imports from other countries to cover its
considerable demand.
Properties
of Green Tea
As an unsweetened beverage, it has no calories and contains no proteins, fats, or carbohydrates.
Its richness is treasured in the form of vitamins, such as
vitamins A, C, and E, some of the B complex, and trace elements such as
manganese (1.5 mg per cup), fluorine, zinc, and copper, which comes in small
quantities, since a cup is made with only 2 g of dried leaves.
Powerful
Antioxidant
But, above all, in a group of substances with an extraordinary antioxidant capacity gaining more and more attention in scientific studies: polyphenols, also present in fruits and vegetables, although in smaller quantities.
This is
particularly true for a type of polyphenols called catechins responsible for
their protective power.
Catechins
are the polyphenols or tannins responsible for the genuine flavor and
protective power of green tea. One of them, EGCG or epigallocatechin-3-gallate,
has proven to be very active.
EGCG
is a substance 20 times more antioxidants than vitamin E and 100 times more
than vitamin C, proving effective in preventing certain types of cancer and
maintaining good cardiovascular health.
A
Mild Stimulant
The
caffeine or theine content of a cup of green tea maybe half that of black tea,
a third that of a cola drink, and an eighth that of coffee, but it should still
be taken in moderation.
Matcha
(Japanese green tea powder) has the highest caffeine content (and the highest
antioxidant content).
Health
Benefits of Green Tea
The
latest research indicates that several cups a day have a long-term preventive
effect on various diseases.
Improves
Brain Function
Green
tea enhances alertness and sharpens your intellectual abilities. This is due to
the properties of caffeine, which in tea is accompanied by l-theanine and does
not produce the annoying jitters of an espresso.
And
not only does it improve the functioning of the brain, but it also prevents its
degeneration and the development of neurological diseases such as Parkinson's
and Alzheimer's disease.
Promotes
Fat Burning
The
compounds in green tea stimulate the metabolism (17% more) and promote the
conversion of fats into calories. That is why green tea is often present in
commercial fat-burning and slimming products.
Improves
Physical Performance
The
effect on metabolism means that the body can obtain more energy (4% more) when
it needs it, for example, during intense sporting activity (increases
performance by 11-12%).
Reduces
the Risk of Some Cancers
The
antioxidant properties of green tea are associated with a lower risk of breast
cancer (20-30% less), prostate (48% less), colorectal (42% less).
Prevents
Cardiovascular Diseases
Heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in European countries. Green tea prevents it because it positively affects the main risk factors: total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides.
Green
Tea in The Kitchen
The
tea bush has two varieties: Camellia Sinensis and camellia Assamica. Its
harvesting is one of the most critical operations in the production process and
on which its quality depends to a large extent.
There
are three basic types of tea: green, semi-fermented, and black.
If you want to experiment with green tea leaves as a culinary ingredient, boil them for 20 minutes, and they are ready to be added to the recipe, but they are nothing special and are expensive to be used as a vegetable.
Even so, the most
attractive recipes with green tea are sorbets, fruit salads, and syrups since
its bitter flavor combine well with sweets and is more familiar to the palate.
Purchase
and Conservation
Once purchased, it is essential to store the tea in a dark, cool, and dry place and in a hermetically sealed container (cans are optimal).
Otherwise, it will lose
its aroma and flavor, as well as its medicinal properties.
How
to Prepare Green Tea?