The theme of our today's article: "Black and green tea, comparison, benefit and harm."
Recently, when a healthy lifestyle becomes the standard for an increasing number of people, we again recall the benefits of green tea. Tea drink in Russia has long gained popularity. But do not be mistaken, considering that for us traditional is black tea. Long before Europe learned about green tea, in Russia it no longer seemed unusual, and was quite popular and familiar. Passion for black tea, and its preparation "in Russian" induce us to forget that green tea is no less tasty and useful. It is made from the same tea leaves as black, but the product does not undergo such rigorous processing that it allows preserving useful substances and vitamins.
Scientifically proven such properties of tea as the ability to strengthen immunity, stabilize the work of the heart, strengthen the nervous system, improve sleep and enhance sexual activity.
Green tea helps us to relax, energizes us and makes us more resistant to depressions. This can be explained by the fact that it cleans the blood of toxins, and we can say that its magical nature contains a holistic spirit of aroma and quality. Longtime connoisseurs of tea notice that only a real tea ceremony is able to reveal the interlocutor from the best sides. However, we must remember that these properties can only have the most fresh and properly prepared drink.
The first error encountered when brewing tea is steaming of the tea leaves with boiling water in a large teapot, where it is insisted for some time and mixed with sugar. Black tea is difficult to spoil anything, so this method seems to be the only correct one. But green tea at times more intense and tender. He needs a special attitude. For sure, therefore, there are so few admirers of green tea in Russia - you will agree, it is difficult to enjoy the consumption of strange, bitter liquid of incomprehensible color. Professionals say that such tea can not be drunk at all, because with this method of brewing tea loses all its useful properties, and moreover - acquires harmful ones.
The most important thing to remember when brewing any tea - do not bring water to a boil. 85'C - the ideal temperature for green tea. If the degree is higher, hot water will destroy its flavor and nutrients. Pottery is ideal for brewing. As for the quantity and duration of the infusion, it is difficult to give any specific advice, since it depends entirely on its grade and collection time. To begin with, try one teaspoon per 100 ml, if the taste seems insufficiently saturated, you can increase the volume. And one more important thing to consider - the time of infusion of green tea, as a rule, does not exceed 10 seconds. You can do, as written in the instructions, and brew for 3 minutes, but who will like this tea in the end? Many varieties become bitter even after infusion for 3-4 seconds. What then can we say about a longer term?
To date, the variety of varieties and brands of green tea knows no boundaries. When buying tea in a store, do not forget to look at the release date and shelf life. Despite the fact that in the characteristics of tea the manufacturer indicates a long shelf life, it will be naive to believe that the tea released three years ago will be as good as its properties as fresh. After reading the information on the packaging you can avoid such trouble as flavoring. The quality of such tea leaves much to be desired, since the very fact that aromas were added to the tea, identical to natural ones, can not do it good. Even if the name says that such additives as hibiscus, pieces of fruit, jasmine, lemon peel, chrysanthemum and other tasty things are included in the composition, it is worthwhile to become more familiar with the composition on the package. Perhaps this is just a cover for the ubiquitous additives.
But, despite all the characteristics of green tea, its freshness and way of cooking. Despite all its advantages, green tea has contraindications: dependence on caffeine and excessive susceptibility of caffeine. Sensitivity to caffeine can be individual, which is extremely rare, and situational: with kidney disease, exacerbation of stomach ulcers, glaucoma and colds. Pregnant and lactating women are not advised to drink a lot of green tea, but a few cups a day will be very useful for general tonus. Children under 12 years are not recommended to get involved in strong tea, but a soft, tart infusion will enrich the children's body with useful substances and vitamins.