Good for your health but can be an acquired taste (Whittard Japanese Green Tea)

Member Name: lellagrace

Product:	Whittard Japanese Green Tea
Date:	26/08/06 (128 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Rids body of toxins, reduces cholestrol.

Disadvantages: Not to everyone's taste

Japanese green tea is proven to be good for you, it rids the body of toxins and reduces cholestrol and can boost the metabolism. Other health benefits for green tea are that it can be used as a treatment or preventative cure for high blood pressure, prostate health, gingivitis and is also said to have cancer reducing properties.In addition, it helps to boost the immune system and is good for the cardio vascular system.

In traditional Chinese medicine the benefits of green tea are renowned. It is used for the treatment of general aches and pains, headaches, depression and as a digestive aid, as well as a detox treatment. Recent research has proved these health benefits and if you are still in doubt, then look at the long healthy lives of the Japanese!

Japanese green tea is high in Vitamin C and B2 (this helps to formulate red blood cells) and it contains only moderate amounts of caffeine.

The tea is grown in various regions throughout Japan on the sloping hills. It is derived from the plant Camellia sinensis and its leaves are plucked as with all tea but the difference is that green tea is not fermented, hence its active constituents are not changed at all and it retains its natural herbal qualities.

Green tea is available as leaf tea in which case you should use a tea strainer, otherwise your cup will be swimming in thick green tea leaves, but you can also buy it in teabag form.

Japanese green tea is no more expensive than other speciality teas, prices do vary though, so check before buying if you buy other brands.

The taste of Japanese tea is very difficult to describe and not to everyone's liking. The best thing to do is to make it very weak to begin with, not too hot either, so you can take small sips. Then as you become accustomed to the taste you can make it stronger if you like.

A traditional drink in Japan, green tea is also used as a flavouring and can be found in anything from ice cream to sweets. I am not suggesting you flavour other things with the tea however, try it as a drink first of all.

As mentioned earlier, the health benefits are good, the Japanese live to a ripe old age and drink gallons of green tea. However, to start with just try one or two cups a day and then progress to around four a day. These are tea cups, not mugs, in fact personally I think Japanese green tea tastes better in a china cup.

To make the tea you need a spoonful of the leaves, then make an infusion by pouring boiling water onto them and leave to stand for about three minutes before drinking.I keep a separate teapot for my Japanese tea,as the leaves are quite thick and tend to clog the spout.

Remember it is an acquired taste, so don't give up after the first cup, make it fairly weak to start with and if you really think you can't stand the taste or smell of it, then hold your nose while drinking it and think of all the health benefits it is giving you!

Summary: Japanese tea is not everyone's cup of tea, but it will do you good.