If you've ever wondered how many people are avid tea drinkers like yourself, you should know tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world!

Not many people know, however, that the wonderful tea varieties (black, green, etc) come from the leaves of the same plant: Camellia Sinensis.

The tea you drink every day is influenced by weather conditions, soil type, and the specific processes that farmers expose the leaves to after harvesting. The main process which influences the tea's flavour is oxidation. In general, the less your tea is oxidised, the softer the taste.

You've been asking for more materials on green tea, so we are delivering! How are green teas obtained? Which teas are part of the group? What are the benefits of drinking green tea? Satisfy your curiosity below. 😊

How do you get green tea?

Green tea's origins mainly come from China and Japan. Farmers harvest the fresh leaves in the morning and leave them to dry out in the sun. Afterwards, they're either pan fried or steamed to prevent oxidation. This way, the leaf retains its rich, natural green colour, as well as the tannins, vitamin C and other minerals that make green tea one of the healthiest options for you!

If you've ever wondered what the difference between Gunpowder and Sencha tea is, it's in the location. Traditionally, there are two methods for the heating process. In China it's roasting, whereas in Japan tea leaves are steamed at high temperatures. These two processes have a distinct impact on the final flavour of the leaves and the aromas in your cup of tea.

Which is your favorite green tea?

If you prefer a lighter body tea with aromas ranging from nutty to a more delicate citrus flavour, go for Chinese teas. If you are a fan of colour and contrast, Japanese green teas vary from the pale green of Sencha to a deeper, richer green of a Gyokuro.

Leaves that have been steamed (as is with the case of Japanese teas) hold more moisture and have a more delicate flavour. You should store them at cooler temperatures to preserve their freshness.

Green tea has low levels of caffeine, so your sleep patterns will not be impacted if you have a cup before bed. However, you should consider that the caffeine content of Chinese green teas (30-35 milligrams of caffeine per cup) is slightly higher than Japanese green teas (25-30 milligrams per cup).

Chinese green teas include Gunpowder and Bi Lo Chun, and Japan, which mostly produces green teas, is most famous for Sencha, Houjicha, Matcha, Kukicha and Genmaicha varieties.

Health benefits of green tea

Drinking green tea will benefit your health in a multitude of ways:

• it boosts your metabolic rate, helping you burn fat and aid weight loss.
• it lowers the risk of cancer due to the antioxidants present.
• it's excellent for your skin, making it shine and look healthy.

How to make perfect green tea

The recommended preparation of green tea is to use water temperature between 75ºC and 80ºC (around 170F). Put a teaspoon of your favorite loose-leaf green tea in a tea infuser, sink it in the water, and let it infuse for around 3-4 minutes.

Discover a selection of the finest green teas in Switzerland!