December 27, 2013
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Health Benefits of Matcha Green Tea
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:
Health Substance Inside of Green Tea
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.
Health Benefits of Green Tea
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.
Health Experiment Done with Green Tea
We put together a chart that sums up the major experiment that was done.

>>See Green Tea Powder Products
>>See Green Tea Loose Leaf Products
>>See Japanese Tea Pot Kyusu
*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.
What does it mean to be certified organic
Hello, since we are an organic green tea store, we would like everyone to understand what it takes to become certified organic in Japan. Yes, the farmers put in lot of hard work to be certified organic.

What is “certified organic(JAS)”
Our organic teas are certified by JONA (Japanese Organic and Natural Food Association) under the regulation of JAS, the Japanese Agriculture Standards. Organic products in Japan must clear the following requirements in order to be certified as organic: 1. Chemical pesticide and chemical fertilizer can not be used for at least 3 years. 2. GMO (Genetically modified organism) seeds or young plants can not be used 3. Can not be located in a place were chemical pesticide can be flown in from neighboring farm lands.
How long it takes
As mentioned above, farmers need at least 3 years to be certified organic. Of course, organic plantation is NOT something you can start from the next day. Many organic farmers say that they experience a substantial fall of production when they start organic farming (also means fall of income too). Once they stop the chemical pesticides, the teas are ruined by pests and diseases right away. To find the perfect way to plant it organic takes time, they need to find the right organic method that matches the climate and land that will do its job from protecting the pests and diseases. Some farmers take more than 5 years or even 10 years to be certified organic. Many experience difficulties for many years, but it’s amazing how there strong determination keeps them going until they find there own method of organic plantation.
Why start organic farming
One of the main reason that farmers start organic farming is because some of them suffer from health problems when using chemical pesticides and fertilizer during cultivation (this is said to happens to a very few). Another big reason that they raise is simply because it’s more sustainable (eco-friendly). Chemical pesticides and fertilizer are said to give negative effect to the environment, especially soil and water. Many farmers have a strong will to keep its family land clean and healthy so the next generation will be able to live and enjoy the same natural environment that they have enjoyed.
Challenges for tea farmers
As for Japanese teas, it is said that organic teas are not as tasty as non-organic teas. Of course, simply making organic teas is very challenging but the biggest challenge is to make it organic and also tasty as well. The farmers try many methods of tea cultivating and find there one’s own method that best fits the land and climate.
As for our ShiZen tea, it took 5 years to make a small batch, another 5 years to make the whole field organic, and still working for over 15 years to make the teas taste better and better so everyone can enjoy safe great tasting organic teas:) Learn more about our farmer
If there is any questions please feel free to ask anytime. Thank you!
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Yosuke Aso
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