In ancient Japan, green tea was considered a medicine due to its known health benefits at the time. It was also something Buddhism monks used during their meditation for its calming effects. Modern science has confirmed these Japanese beliefs in green tea. Many scholars around the world have studied the health benefits of green tea and found the following:
Green tea has many amazing nutrients and substances and the following will be some of the major substances/compounds:
1. Catechin. This substance is type of polyphenol that is said to have powerful antioxidant effect. It has four type of Catechin: EC, EGC, ECG, and EGCG. The EGCGs are considered the most powerful antioxidant within the four types.
2. Vitamins. Green tea is especially abundant in Vitamin C. If you take the green tea in powder type, three servings will be equivalent to one apple. Also the organic compound beta-carotene (vitamin A precursor) is also abundant close to one serving of orange juice.
3. Theanine. It is an unique amino acid that is said to have potential ability to reduce mental and physical stress and provides a calm alertness.
There are many scholars around the world who are experimenting the health benefits of green tea. Some of these benefits are still being debated, so if you plan to use for medical purpose please consult your physician.
1. Prevents Cancer. The powerful antioxidant substance, the EGCGs, are said to prevent the development of cancer cells. There are many experiment that shows that the people who takes green tea has a low possibility of getting cancer.
2. Lowers Blood Sugar, Blood Pressure, and Cholesterol. There is an enzyme that triggers the high blood pressure called the enzyme renin. Catechin has the effect to prevent this enzyme renin to raise the blood pressure. It will also lower bad cholesterol, which makes the ratio of good and bad cholesterol more favorable for the health.
3. Boosts Metabolism. Catechin also is said to have the effect to boost metabolism and reduce the absorption of fat.
4. Relaxation. The combination of theanine and caffeine has the effect to give alert calmness.
5. Natural Deodorizer. The Catechin is said to provide antibacterial effect and eliminates odor. In Japan, used tea leaves are recommended to use as a natural air refresher.
6. Aids Fight for Dementia. Catechin protects from nerves system which leads to aids for dementia.
7. Tooth Decay. The antibacterial effect will protects from cavities and other dental issues.
8. Skin Care. The antioxidant effect from Catechin and vitamin C will protect you from aging skin. In Japan, some beauty magazines recommend to drink green tea for its skin care benefits and health benefits.
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*DISCLAIMER. We are not recommending green tea as a cure or remedy for any health ailments. Please consult your physician for any medical problems you may be experiencing. We seek to source current and accurate information for your general knowledge. If you know of any additional informative resources, please contact us.
Many kind of teas are paired with foods. As for Japanese tea, it is very common to be paired with Wagashi (traditional Japanese confection). Green tea being a health drink it may sound weird to be paired with confection, but this is how it was done centuries ago.
Today, we have tested the teas by pairing it with modern confectionery and snacks. To be honest, I am not a person who eats sweet things and snacks, but I still enjoyed it a lot. This maybe an another way to enjoy the teas.
Today we have chosen the following:
1- Chocolate (bitter/white)
2- Potato chips -Classic- (simply salted)
3- Daifuku* (Japanese confection)
*Daifuku consists of a small round mochi (glutinous rice cake) stuffed with sweet filling anko, the sweetened red bean paste)Our teas that we have used:
a. Organic sencha green tea powder
b. Organic Matcha green tea powder
c. Organic Genmaicha Powder with Matcha
A) Organic Matcha Green Tea + Chocolate
Absolutely the best combination. The strong sweetness of the chocolate and the bitterness of the matcha provides a pleasant mild sweetness.
B) Organic Sencha Green Tea + Daifuku
The combination of Daifuku and Japanese tea is well known as a traditional pair. The light bitterness of the organic green tea has a very good match with the natural sweetness of the Daifuku.
C) Organic Matcha/ Sencha Green Tea + Potato chips
Better than expected:) The salt and oil of the potato chips lightens the bitterness of matcha. Also it will match with warm temperature green tea too.
It seems that confection made from a high sugar content such as chocolate and ice cream, matcha will match very well due to its bitterness. On the other hand green tea are perfect match with sweet things that includes natural sweetness such as Daifuku that is made from sweet red beans, azuki. As for the genmaicha, it basically matches very well with things that have matched green tea. The strong roasted rice aroma will also have a great matcha with rice crackers.
*These comments are made under our preference, please take these comments as a reference.
This experiment was very interesting and we are planning to do a part two very soon.
Also if you know any good pair with Japanese tea, we will appreciate if you can share! Thank you for reading and if you have a chance, please try testing these combination. Hope you enjoy:)
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Yosuke Aso
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