Japanese Green Tea
Anyone who has been keeping an eye on the latest research headlines on the amazing medicinal properties of natural products or who has been actively hunting down a health beverage to include in their diet, will without hesitation, tout green tea as one of the best health brews available.
Especially famous is the Japanese green tea. Green tea, with its multifaceted health promoting and medicinal properties, has its roots running deep into Japanese traditions and customs. Nowhere is this more evident than in the “Japanese tea ceremony”, a traditional yet simple way of serving and enjoying green tea!
Before we begin to examine the different varieties of Japanese green tea, shall we briefly discuss what makes green tea so special? The health benefits conferred by drinking green tea on a regular basis, is so wide-ranging and numerous that only the more significant aspects can be touched upon in this article.
Two important medicinal properties, specifically associated with Japanese green tea need to be mentioned first – its anti-cancer properties and its remarkable ability to protect our cardiovascular system. A large body of scientific evidence exists to conclusively point out the cancer preventing properties of green tea. Studies have shown that green tea consumption is associated with reduced incidence of certain forms of cancer including cancer of esophagus, colon and prostate.
The molecule called Epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG, (belonging to a class of chemical compounds, the ‘catechins’, found in the brew), is primarily responsible for most of the beneficial effects of green tea. Indeed, a number of studies have shown that EGCG alone can exclusively bring about the selective destruction of cancer cells. Moreover, it can act as a strong anti-oxidant to mop up harmful chemical species produced during normal metabolism.
Many Types of Japanese Green Tea
So, with enough and more reasons to savor the next cup of Japanese green tea, we shall go through the various varieties available. The ‘Uji’ or ‘Kyoto’ green tea is the most famous of all the Japanese brands and is of superior quality and taste. Varieties that have come from tea plants exposed to abundant sunlight prior to their harvest include ‘Sencha’ and ‘Bancha’. ‘Hojicha’ is roasted Japanese green tea while Matcha green tea is powdered green tea with many health promoting qualities.
Matcha green tea is enriched in Epigallocatechin gallate and has been shown to be a more potent biologically active formulation compared to other varieties of green tea. Many varieties of Japanese green tea come from tea plants that are grown in the shade for varying periods of time (depending on the exact grade) before the harvest. Of the various Japanese green teas, one that deserves special mention, mainly for its strong aroma and its almond-like aftertaste, is ‘Tamaryokucha’.
If you have managed to make your selection and are ready to commence the humble tea ceremony, then –“Three cheers to Japanese green tea!”
