What are the Benefits of Green Tea?

We couldn't imagine a world without green tea.

Since 2737 B.C., green tea has enriched humankind with its delicate, intricate flavour, and a plethora of tangible and intangible benefits. Let’s look at what makes this classic blend so important.

Diving right in, what are the main benefits of green tea, and why is it good for you?

We went to our Master Blender, Rishi, for answers.

Rishi: Well, whenever I get asked this question, I always start off by pointing out that tea is rich in polyphenols, antioxidants and free radicals (a fancy name for things that help us fight off nasties), and that’s just the beginning!
More specifically, green tea is potent in a particular type of polyphenol called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate). This wondrous addition to green tea makes it even higher in antioxidants when compared to something like black tea.
Green tea (and tea in general) is also widely known to contain amino acids (more specifically the amino acid L-Theanine) and this is the ingredient that helps create that calming, refreshing experience.
(In case you were wondering, green tea is thought to have a higher amount of L-Theanine, which makes for an even more relaxing, rejuvenating cup.)

Why is green tea so good for hydration?

When you think about all the innately good qualities of green tea and then add it to water, it’s easy to see how this beverage could be good at quenching your thirst.

Think of it like this: when you steep a cup of this revered leaf, you’re actually tapping into a long, long history of people using this method to hydrate. For thousands of years, tea has been used all around the world as an addition to water (in hot or cold climates) to refresh and unwind, and today is no exception.

For more on this, we also spoke to our Expert Herbal Consultant, Angela.

Angela: Although it may not be the first thing you want when you go somewhere hot, it’s not uncommon to be handed a steaming cup of tea. As you begin sipping, you’ll notice that you feel refreshed, hydrated, and even feel cooler because sipping hot tea helps you to release toxins and cool the body (also known as sweating!).

And finally, do you want to know our top tips for drinking green tea?

We’re so glad you asked.

Let’s cover the basics first:

  1. Ensure you’re pouring your tea into a clean, dry vessel

  2. Use freshly-drawn water

  3. Use one bag per cup (about 200 ml)

The rest, though, is all personal preference.

Now while we’re not prescriptive about how you enjoy your tea, first and foremost, as green tea is extremely delicate (say, when compared to something like black tea), we actually recommend brewing it at 80 degrees (and not a boiling 100 degrees). There are two simple ways to do this: the first is to add about twenty percent cold water to your cup or mug and fill the rest with boiling water. The second is to remove your kettle a few moments before it’s finished boiling. Now, as we mentioned, however you prefer drinking green tea is the right way as far as we’re concerned. But, if you’re keen to try something a bit different, give it a go. You might surprise yourself!

Our last tip is more about the experience of drinking green tea. We invite you to take inspiration from the ceremonial traditions of matcha (a powerful powdered form of green tea — more on that another day) and make your own tea ritual. Listen to the steam building inside the kettle, feel the weight of the cup in your hand, experience the taste and aroma, from first sip to last drop. Tea is an experience, so go on, experience it your way. the only question left we have is which tea to start with?