Green Tea

There is a lot of variety within different teas, even within one type. You might not think about it often, especially if you aren’t very familiar with tea varieties, but knowing about the differences can help you decide what to buy. Green tea is one of the most ubiquitous types of tea, so it may seem scary to try to make the best purchase when considering the thousands of options available. Luckily for you, we’ve compiled all the facts you need to know about green tea and reviewed a bunch of the best options on the market to give you a list of our top picks.

Features

Despite its popularity, there are some crucial and valuable things about green tea that many people don’t know.

1. It Can Be a Supplement or a Beverage - Of course, you probably know that green tea is normally consumed as a beverage, but you may not have realized that it’s also available as a dietary supplement. It offers significant health benefits, but some people don’t enjoy drinking it or don’t have time to make it every day. Green tea supplements allow these people to enjoy the health benefits in a convenient way.
2. It’s Good for Your Hair - Green tea has benefits as a beauty product, too! Rinses made with green tea can rejuvenate the scalp to prevent dandruff and dryness. Some people who use green tea for their hair claim that it also protects hair from damage and encourages growth.
3. There Are Many Varieties - We often think of “green tea” as referring to one variety of tea. When you order it in a restaurant, there typically isn’t more than one option. You may be surprised that there are actually more than twenty different varieties of green tea, each with its own unique properties and flavors! If you think you don’t like green tea, there’s a good chance you just haven’t tried the right variety yet; if green tea is new to you, keep this in mind when looking for the perfect one for your tastes.

Most Popular Green Teas and Their Flavors

The popular varieties of green tea may be the best to start with. They are easier to find than more obscure varieties, and they are popular for a reason: most people prefer their flavors.

• Sencha Green Tea: Sencha is the most popular variety of green tea in Japan, by a huge margin. It is a light variety, with sweet, fruity flavor undertones. It’s also described as grassy or earthy, especially when steamed for a long time.
• Matcha Green Tea: Matcha is a popular flavor, found in everything from lattes to ice cream. This taste that so many of us know and love in other products originally comes from the green tea variety. The flavor of matcha is strong and somewhat bitter, but not unpleasantly so. It’s common to dislike or be uncertain about it at the first taste but grow to love it after a bit of time.
• Jasmine Green Tea: Jasmine green tea is probably the most popular flavored variety; it’s made by infusing green tea leaves with the scent and flavor of jasmine flowers. This results in a mild floral flavor on top of the grassy flavor of the tea. Some jasmine green tea bags include whole jasmine blossoms in addition to the tea leaves, to intensify the floral taste.

Benefits

People have been drinking green tea for its health benefits for hundreds of years. Some of the benefits people currently claim to use it for are mostly anecdotal, while many others are proven or supported by studies.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

The main chemical component of green tea has significant anti-inflammatory effects, which can be useful for many different health problems. Inflamed skin and other types of tissue can be soothed by the consumption or topical application of green tea.

Cardiovascular Health

Multiple studies, performed over the course of more than a decade, have found that higher green tea consumption is associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease. Recent studies also suggest that some components of green tea can reduce the risk of hypertension.

Cognitive Function

Some studies suggest that drinking green tea every day is associated with lower risk of cognitive impairment, and green tea is currently being researched as a possible treatment for conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s, with promising results. It also may enhance cognitive functions like working memory.

Although it might seem complicated to find the right green tea, there are a lot of benefits to be gained from drinking it, and there is probably a variety that you will really enjoy. With a good idea of what you’re looking for, and the help of our list of the best products, it will be easier than you think to make a decision. And hopefully, you’ll learn something from the process, too!

FAQ

Is green tea good for you?

Green tea is undeniably good for you, even if some of the potential health benefits haven’t yet been confirmed by research. People who consume large amounts of green tea are found to have lower rates of cancer and heart disease. Drinking green tea also reduces inflammation, improves cognitive function, and reduces stress and fatigue.

Is green tea healthy?

It is healthy for most people to drink three to five cups of green tea per day, but there are some exceptions. Women in their first trimester of pregnancy should avoid drinking green tea, due to the caffeine content, but it’s fine in moderation during the second and third trimester. Breastfeeding women can safely have up to three cups of green tea per day.

What does green tea taste like?

There are many varieties of green tea, and they all taste different, so there’s no one right answer here. Green tea may be very sweet or very bitter, very mild or very strong. It could have earthy, flowery, fruity, or nutty undertones. Researching the different varieties and finding a combination of flavors that appeals to you will help you pick a green tea that you enjoy the taste of.

Is green tea good for weight loss?

While some studies on green tea and weight loss are inconclusive, it definitely doesn’t hurt to drink green tea while trying to lose weight. There is evidence that green tea makes your metabolism more efficient, which helps you burn more calories and lose weight more easily. However, the effect is pretty small; it may only cause you to burn an extra 80-100 calories each day, so it’s important to have a well-rounded diet and exercise plan, even if you include green tea as part of it.

Where can I buy green tea?

Green tea can be found pretty much everywhere. You can find prepared green tea in restaurants and coffee shops, and you can find green tea bags in any grocery store. Unfortunately, it’s common for stores to only carry one or two types of green tea out of the twenty or so that exist. If you’ve researched the varieties and have one in mind that you’d really like to try, you have a much better chance of finding it online than in your local supermarket. Shopping online also allows you to sample multiple varieties in the same purchase to figure out which is your favorite.

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