Make A Resolution To Drink Green Tea For Mind, Body and Spirit

Added : ( Mon Dec 20 2004 )

Green Tea is fast growing in popularity despite the UK being known as a nation of traditional black tea drinkers who enjoy it with a dash of milk- and it’s easy to see why.

What started as a small band of GreenTea devotees has gradually grown over the last few years with many people finding a place for it in their daily lives. Christine Collins, who is the UK’s only distributor of Ronnefeldt Teas and runs a successful company called Cup Of Tea, has seen sales of Green Tea shoot up over the last year or so.

"People are now realising that Green Tea is a different drink altogether. Green Tea is a lot closer to nature as it loses much less of its natural goodness when it is produced. Black Tea is fermented, whereas Green Tea is not - that is the big difference," explains Christine.

"It would not be an exaggeration to say that Green Tea is the perfect drink for Mind, body and Spirit," she adds.

The British love affair with black tea began with the days of the Empire when tea merchants brought large crate loads back from India. Milk was often added to disguise the strength and sometimes the lack of quality.

However, this new rival in the nation’s hearts is certain not to replace traditional Black Tea - the two drinks are as different as apples are from pears.

The spiritual aspect of Green Tea stems from its history which began 5,000 years ago in China. According to ancient myth, leaves from a shrub were accidentally blown into Emperor Sheng-Nung’s water pot and he was so impressed with the pleasant flavour and stimulating effects of his unintentional brew that he drank nothing else from then on.
It took an incredibly long time for the drink to catch on in Europe and even longer in the UK!

The positive effects of Green Tea have been confirmed by medical experts - it is a natural drink, produced without additives. As it is not fermented, most of the original vitamins and minerals are kept in tact.

As Christine Collins explains: "Green Tea contains a high level of vitamins B & C and many minerals, so it works with, not against your body. It is also closely linked with Bhuddism, a religion with a strong tea culture and an ancient philosophy of working in harmony with your inner-self."

Green Tea has four important constituents that all work together, caffeine, tannin, essential oils and vitamins. Many people may be surprised to hear that caffeine can actually be beneficial when taken in tea as it works slightly differently from the caffeine in coffee. The good news is caffeine in tea can stimulate the circulation and metabolism via the central nervous system. As more oxygen is pumped to the brain, mental powers are heightened, reactions speed up and muscle function improves.

The tannin in the Green Tea works alongside the caffeine, having a relaxing and stabilising effect. This means the caffeine is absorbed more slowly and prevents that "caffeine shock" we all know too well from coffee.

The essential oils contained in the tea are the base for the flavour and are also good for the metabolism.

And this is Green Tea’s real secret - the ingredients never work alone, but always as part of a team. The apparently contradictory effects of Green Tea make this drink unique - it can relax and stimulate at the same time.

Cup Of Tea has produced these guidelines to those who are new to the art of Green Tea drinking.


CUP OF TEA’S GUIDELINES FOR DRINKING GREEN TEA


1. Green Tea is not to be rushed - it is not the sort of drink to be gulped down in a hurry on your way to work or the school run. If you want to enjoy it to the full, you need to make time for it. Those who drink it say it can help you find an amazing peace with yourself in the frenzy of everyday life. This is in line with the ancient Chinese tea drinking philosophy.

2. Don’t be surprised if your relationship with Green Tea develops gradually at first.
There is no denying it is an acquired taste. This ancient drink only really reveals its
true character gradually. But when you do discover the pleasure of it, you will enter a
totally new dimension.

3. Treat Green Tea with great care when first preparing it - as a suggestion use fewer
leaves at first and increase the quantity each time until you get used to the intensity
of the taste. The aroma of Green Tea ranges from delicately flowery to slightly.
grassy or tangy and its unique delicate flavour means there are many different
permutations.

4. Cup of Tea recommends three different ways of brewing Green Tea

a) For delicate China or Formosa teas use 1-1.5g per cup and let the boiling water cool down to between 60 and 75 degrees. Pour the water over the leaves and let it steep. Do not stir. After 2-3 minutes simply drink without straining. You can also keep adding more water.


b) Pour the 60-75 degree hot water over the tea leaves so that they are just
covered. Then immediately strain the tea and pour fresh water over the leaves
again. This removes the tannin and leaves the green tea very sweet. The best
Green Teas for this method are Gunpowder and Chun Mee.



c) The Japanese love their Green Tea made like this: use a good 2g of tea
per cup, pour water over the leaves, only let the tea steep for 1-11/2
minutes and then immediately strain.

It may seem daunting if Green Tea is new to you but Cup of Tea would be delighted to help guide you through the maze of possibilities. They have many different varieties on offer but they are happy to suggest which ones are best to start with.

Japanese Green Teas, including Sencha, are mildly tart and a little grassy. Chinese Green Teas however, are more full-bodied and slightly sweet. One of the best hand crafted China teas is Yuncui, which has a fresh and scented flavour.

In 2004, Cup of Tea won a taste award for one of its flavoured Green Teas, Morgentau (Morning Dew). This is a delightful tea with a wonderfully refreshing flavour.

A large variety of Green Teas as well as traditional Black ones can be ordered from Cup of Tea’s website at: www.cupoftea.uk.com.


If you would like to carry out a Green Tea tasting, Cup Of Tea would be delighted to arrange this for you. For further information, photographs or tea samples, please contact Eveleen Hatch at Buzzword Communications on: 01491 412134/07815 00 2276. E-mail: eveleen@eveleen.fsnet.co.uk



NOTES TO EDITORS
Cupoftea is the only UK distributor of Ronnefeldt Teas, merchant of the premium quality teas. Ronnefeldt is one of the oldest tea companies in Europe. Mainly supplied to top hotels and independent retailers worldwide, including Harrods, London, it is also available nationwide at www.cupoftea.uk.com

Submitted by: Eveleen Hatch Add your press release for free.

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