Which green tea is the healthiest?
Green tea has a devoted following of enthusiasts all over the world. People have been drinking it consistently for thousands of years, and its popularity has grown rapidly ever since Japanese monks discovered its beneficial effects on both body and spirit. It was these monks who uncovered green tea's wide range of health benefits, using it as a tool for deep meditation in a state of the highest concentration. Today, however, we know that there are many varieties of green tea, each with slightly different properties and a different effect on our health. So which variety did the Japanese monks actually drink? Which green tea is the healthiest?
The effects of green tea
Despite their differences, all types of green tea are considered exceptionally healthy and beneficial for the body. Each one has a high concentration of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. As a result, almost all types of green tea have antiviral and antibacterial properties, as well as supporting weight loss, providing a gentle energy lift and improving focus. However, subtle differences in their effects can be observed, arising from the different processing methods used for the leaves that go into producing each type of dried tea.
Matcha – the healthiest green tea?
The green tea with by far the most beneficial effect on health is undoubtedly matcha. Matcha is a green tea made from tea leaves ground into a fine powder, which is mixed with water and then drunk or consumed in another form. When you drink matcha, you consume the whole tea leaf, rather than just an infusion made from it. Its effects can be up to 10 times stronger than those of a leaf green tea infusion. What's more, matcha producers grow their tea bushes using a traditional method known as "Oishitaen 覆下園", or "shade cultivation". This involves blocking almost all sunlight from reaching the tea bushes using traditional bamboo mats. This process forces the plants to increase their production of chlorophyll, theine and amino acids, which is what gives matcha its health-boosting properties. Alongside goji berries and broccoli, it's one of the most powerful antioxidants found in nature.
Green teas for health
The second most nutritionally complete Japanese tea, in terms of health benefits, is arguably Gyokuro. Like matcha, gyokuro is an exceptionally powerful antioxidant, combating free radicals – single oxygen molecules that penetrate cell structures and cause damage within them. Its properties come from a cultivation process similar to that used for matcha. Gyokuro producers also shade their tea bushes, but the leaves are not later ground into powder. What about other teas? Popular sencha, thanks to its high caffeine content, is recommended for anyone wanting to lose weight or get an energy boost. For those looking for the perfect accompaniment to a meal, rice-infused genmaicha and versatile bancha are recommended, as they have an invaluable supportive effect on the digestive system. Meanwhile, hojicha and kukicha are a great choice for anyone looking for a delicious, low-caffeine tea. So the perfect tea for you really comes down to personal preference and the effect you're hoping for. Itadakimasu (Japanese for "cheers")!
