Green Tea is not only a delicious beverage but also offers numerous health benefits. Regular consumption of green Tea can improve the digestive system, boost immunity, lower blood lipids and blood pressure, among other effects. When brewing green tea, boil water and then let it cool for a while until it reaches around 80 degrees Celsius before steeping the tea leaves. This helps to better preserve the fragrance and nutritional components of the tea.
Brewing Methods for Green Tea
1. Top Pour Method: After warming and cleaning the cup or teapot, pour in about 70% of hot water at once. Once the water has cooled to an appropriate temperature, add the tea leaves. This method is often used for finely processed green teas such as top-grade Biluochun, top-grade Xinyang Maojian, and Mount Meng Dew. The water temperature needs to be very precise; the finer and more tender the tea leaves, the lower the required water temperature. Some teas can even be steeped using cold water.
2. Middle Pour Method: After warming and cleaning the cup or teapot, pour in one-third of hot water, then add the tea leaves (especially if the tea has been refrigerated). After the leaves have slightly softened and unfurled, pour in the remaining hot water to about 70% full. This method is suitable for finely processed yet loose or tightly rolled green teas like Yingshan Cloud Mist, Zhuyeqing, and Wuyuan Mingmei, as well as finely processed baked green teas like Longfeng of Zhuxi, Tingxi Orchid Fragrance, Huangshan Maofeng, Tai Ping Houkui, and Jingting Green Snow.
3. Bottom Pour Method: After warming and cleaning the cup or teapot, add the tea leaves first, then pour in one-third of the water. Gently swirl to moisten the tea, then fill the cup with boiling water to about 70% full. This method is suitable for flat-leaf teas like Longjing, Lu'an Guapian, and Panzhihua Guosheng Maofeng.
How Much Green Tea Should You Drink Daily?
Drinking approximately 5 to 15 grams of green tea daily is suitable. Green tea is a common beverage that can help you feel alert and refreshed. However, excessive consumption should be avoided as it contains caffeine, which may affect sleep quality. Moreover, green tea is cool in nature, and overconsumption can burden the digestive system and cause digestive discomfort and abdominal pain.
What Are the Benefits of Drinking Green Tea?
1. Antioxidant Activity: Green tea contains a large amount of catechins, which have strong antioxidant properties and physiological activity. Catechins are effective in scavenging free radicals and blocking lipid peroxidation reactions and the activity of enzymes.
2. Antibacterial Properties: Green tea also exhibits inhibitory effects against viruses and bacteria. The tannins in tea have a strong astringent effect and can inhibit pathogenic bacteria, reducing inflammation and diarrhea.
3. Stimulates Mental Alertness: The caffeine in green tea can stimulate the central nervous system and increase brain activity, leading to improved mental clarity and focus. It is also beneficial for alleviating migraines.
4. Promotes Urination and Relieves Fatigue: Green tea can aid in urination and relieve fatigue. Its caffeine content stimulates the kidneys, promoting faster excretion and increasing the filtration rate, thereby reducing the retention time of harmful substances in the kidneys. Additionally, caffeine can help eliminate excess lactic acid from the urine, shortening the recovery time after physical exertion.
Green tea is a healthy beverage characterized by its non-fermented nature, which preserves a high concentration of nutrients from the fresh leaves. Drinking green tea regularly provides various benefits, including antioxidation, improved digestion, reduced blood lipids and cholesterol, mental stimulation, enhanced immunity, and stress relief. Brewing green tea requires certain techniques, such as choosing the right water quality and utensils and controlling the water temperature, to produce a refreshing and flavorful infusion.