The health benefits of green tea are many. There has been study after study done -- I'll let you do the research -- google "health benefits of a cup of green tea". But, there is one main reason I like to drink it. It calms me down. It's the theonine in it. Theonine makes you mellow and unanxious (I don't think that's a word :-). Some of the other reasons I should be drinking it -- it is traditionally used to help control blood sugar and it helps to lower cholesterol and triglycerides. For those two benefits alone I should be drinking it.
So, here's how I make my green tea.
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| I start with a tea pot made for brewing loose leaf tea. There is a basket that fits inside to hold the tea. |
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| I buy a good quality loose leaf tea. This is Frontier (the brand) "Gunpowder" green tea. I buy it by the # at my local health food store. I also like the Frontier Jasmine green tea, and I buy their decaf green tea for late afternoon brewing. |
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| Water gets heated in my stove top pot to barely boiling. If you use too hot of water (boiling) the tea will get bitter. When it is hot, I rinse the loose leaf tea pot with some hot water to warm it. |
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| Then I fill the basket of the pot about 1/3 full (or less) -- it's going to expand. |
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| Now start filling the pot with water. It takes a bit as the water seeps through the tea. Pour...wait...pour...wait....you get the idea. When it's full put the lid on. Now I put the timer on for exactly 2 minutes. Longer than 2 minutes, the tea will be bitter. Less than 2 minutes, not many polyphenols (antioxidants) -- the main reason for drinking it. Take the tea basket out. |
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| The pot holds about 3 cups of tea. Drink them all to get the medicinal benefits. It is amazing how long the tea stays hot in the pot. But, if it gets cold, I still will drink it down as "medicine". |
After a couple days of drinking tea, a calm comes over me.....so worth it.
.....jean
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13 comments:
I love green tea too! Especially this time of year. I never thought there was so much to it either. I like adding a little honey to mine when I've got a cold.
thank you for this. i usually take to drinking green tea over winter to stay warm. i will need to begin doing so as the temp starts dropping. :)
This was really interesting. I just wish I could make myself like tea. No luck so far but I will sure take this under consideration.
Gunpowder green tea is my favorite. This post was great. I also drink it iced. Switch off with Yerba Mate.
Where did you get your nice teapot?
I'm curious about your teapot too! I drink green tea often, by the potful, and especially if I've been around a person with a virus, sniffles, sore throat, etc. I really believe its ability to improve our immune system. Pair that with some honey, and the drink does double duty! Thanks for your great step-by-step! Now, about that teapot?
Thanks for the tutorial. I always thought green tea was bitter, duh, because I was brewing it too long! ;-)
For those 2 reasons alone - I too should be drinking green tea. I have never bought "loose" tea like that - I have an antique tea ball - I think I will give it a try. Thanks.
I do not like tea but you gave me a reason to try it again...it sounds beneficial
Thanks for commenting all you green tea lovers....and all you green tea "I think I'll try it again" people thanks for commenting too!:-)
My tea pot I bought at my local health food store too. If they don't have them in the store, but sell Frontier herbs, I know they can order one for you!
Carol....I never think to drink it iced, but why not! I should be drinking yerba mate too --
maybe I should be switching back and forth.
I've been meaning to try green tea (as I drink lots & LOTS of black tea), but the only two at the health food store are the Jasmine and Gunpowder. And honestly, the only reason I haven't tried it is because of the names. I mean, who wants to drink something named "Gunpowder"? And although I kinda like the smell of jasmine, it just didn't seeem right to drink that smell.
Thanks for the post, I'm going to jump in and buy / make myself some green tea this week. I'm also one who tends to over-steep my teas, so thanks for the two-minute tip!
Carolyn...too funny :-) The only reason they carry those two teas is because they are the best! :-) I used to be part owner in a health food store. You would not believe the number of people that actually think there is "gunpowder" in the jar LOL! When you brew jasmine tea correctly -- it is wonderful. (I think I like it the best)
I like the idea of drinking tea -- the steps involved in brewing it. My mother loves tea -- I have never developed a taste for it, but perhaps I should.
PS - I picked my asparagus seeds yesterday! :)
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