A Brutally Bitter Brew (Twinings Pure Green Tea)

Member Name: Zmugzy

Product:	Twinings Pure Green Tea
Date:	15/11/07 (161 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Many reputed health benefits - aids digestion

Disadvantages: A bit bitter and makes your tummy rumble

According to Chinese legend, tea was discovered in 2737 BC by the Emperor Shen-nung when tea leaves from a nearby bush accidentally fell into an open kettle of boiling water. Before Shen Nung could retrieve the leaves, they began to brew. He smelled the sweet aroma of the mixture and found the resulting drink had a delicious flavour.

If you believe that you'll believe anything.

There is another lesser known legend about the discovery of green tea. There was an old Chinaman called Mr Chenshungchaishi who couldn't afford to buy proper tea from the market so through sheer desperation he went out into his threadbare garden to see what he could find. He ended up boiling some washed leaves from an old bush that the cat had pissed on. He nervously drank the resulting brew and although disgusted by the taste and relieved that he had not poisoned himself, he was soon to feel all the better for it. Not only that, he was at last able to evacuate his bowels for the first time in weeks. Thus green tea was first discovered in China and has been associated with good health ever since


Apparently green tea is a natural source of antioxidants, those mysterious chemical compounds that inhibit oxidation. They wipe out the pesky free radicals that do so much damage to the body. I have read though that green tea is no more antioxidant than your average cup of PG Tips. No doubt the debate will continue.


Twinings Pure Green tea is so named because there are no other added flavourings. The blend is said to offer a light fresh taste and a golden colour. I would say that it appears more of a murky green colour. The taste is hardly light but quite bitter with a slight sting, but it does ooze freshness. Use hot water just under the boil to brew the tea for about two minutes. The packet warns that over brewing might cause bitterness, in fact it's brutally bitter if you leave it stewing too long. That's probably where I've been going wrong. Adding milk would be a catastrophe so is not recommended. The harsh remedy will however benefit from a spoonful of honey. It's an acquired taste if you choose to drink it raw and it's a taste I'm still trying to acquire. I force myself to gulp it down because I know it's good for me... it must be surely.


Twinings Pure Green Tea is recommended to drink after meals. From my experience it seems to stimulate hunger. I can confirm the tea's reputation as an aid to digestion: it definitely does something to your innards. Not long after a few mouthfuls you should be experiencing a touch of the old borborygmus - your intestines will soon be rumbling like the sound of an out of tune orchestra, so don't drink it in the library. Despite the tribulations I recommend Twinings Pure Green Tea for its health benefits as I truly do always feel cleansed after a cup of Pure Green and mean cha, it also seems to leave my mind more restful and focused.


A box of 50 Twinings Pure Green Tea bags is presently priced at around £2.29 at Tesco's.

Summary: A healthy but bitter brew