Green tea has been a favourite brew among tea drinkers for centuries. Full to the brim with antioxidants, it is a delicious and healthy drink. Here’s why you will love it – and drink it often!
What is green tea?
Green tea comes from the leaves of the tea plant Camellia sinensis. This brew is bursting with goodness, and is often used in traditional Chinese, Indian and Japanese medicine.
Green is also less processed than black tea with the natural organic varieties containing no sugars or unhealthy additives. The leaves are plucked, slightly withered and then immediately cooked to prevent oxidization. That leads green tea to be much higher in antioxidants than other types of tea.
Popular varieties of green tea and how to brew them
Green tea is grown and harvested in many different regions in China and Japan, which means there are plenty of different varieties! With so many to think about, it can be hard to know where to start. We’ve gathered up some of the most popular brews to inspire you. Trust us, you’ll love the refreshing, delicate flavours – just make sure you follow the proper brewing instructions.
Matcha tea
If you haven’t heard of matcha tea, you’re missing out! This blend is one of the most delicious and popular varieties to come from Japan.
Matcha has a rich and complex flavour, with a sweeter taste than other varieties. The bright green powder looks quite different in comparison, but is brewed in the same way.
Heat water on the stove until it’s about 175 degrees Fahrenheit (80 degrees Celsius). Use a small whisk to combine the milk with the tea and keep whisking until frothy. If you’d like to add a bit of sweetness, use a dash of honey.
Sencha tea
Sencha is another popular variety of green tea that can be enjoyed hot or cold. It’s often described as having a grassy taste and can be bitter in boiling water. However, it’s best to brew in water between 150 and 175 degrees Fahrenheit (or around 80 degrees Celsius). At this temperature, sencha green tea tastes more balanced with smooth and sweet notes.
Jasmine tea
Jasmine tea is another popular favourite among tea drinkers. This brew is naturally stronger and bolder than other varieties with a delicious sweet and floral flavour.
To draw out the delicate hints of jasmine from this refreshing tea, brew in water between 160 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit (or around 80 degrees Celsius).
Create a relaxing self-care routine
Now that you have discovered some of the most popular varieties, let’s look at how enjoying a cup of green tea can form part of your daily self-care routine.
You can’t underestimate the importance of creating daily rituals that encourage you to take a minute of mindfulness – especially if you’re working from home.
Stopping to have tea might sound like a small habit, but it’s a great way to break up a busy day and is a first step in developing a self-care routine that’s easy to follow and enjoyable to boot!
Benefits of introducing a tea ritual
Get away from the screen
It’s important to take breaks throughout the working day, but this can be easy to forget when we’re busy. Try setting a ‘tea time’ reminder on your phone: once mid-morning and again during the afternoon.
Make this a non-negotiable break to clear your mind for a few minutes. It will give you time away from staring at your screen. Regular screen breaks help improve your productivity and attention and can even improve your memory.
Practice mindfulness and meditation
Why not use either your tea brewing time, or tea drinking time to practice mindfulness or meditation? While you brew, you can reflect on the day or take the peace and quiet to get your thoughts in order before jumping back in. These small moments are a great way to help you de-stress or even unwind at the end of a long day.
Matcha is a ceremonial tea, making it the perfect tea to use to create your own brewing ritual. All you need is a Chasen (traditional ceremonial whisk made from bamboo) and traditional glass matcha bowl.
Give your energy levels a boost
Instead of reaching for the sugary snacks, get over your mid-afternoon slump with a refreshing cup of green tea. While it’s lower in caffeine than black tea and coffee, it can still give you a great energy boost – without the caffeine slump.
You’ll feel energised and refreshed rather than sluggish – not to mention more hydrated than you would feel after a coffee!
Green tea is for more than just drinking!
While green tea is traditionally brewed, there are plenty of other ways you can use this powerful tea. If you’re a lover of baking or cooking, why not experiment by incorporating green tea in your next recipe!
Here are some delicious ways you could incorporate green tea into your baking or even savoury cooking:
- Try your hand at making matcha pancakes.
- Add matcha powder to your smoothie for extra umami and depth of flavour.
- Have a go at making your own green tea ice-cream. The tea gives the ice-cream a lovely fresh flavour unlike anything you’ve tasted before!
There are so many reasons to love green tea. Try some of our suggestions and you’ll be a convert in no time!
