Green Tea

History Of Green Tea
Copyright © 2008 Jon M. Stout


Green tea has a history that dates back thousands of years.
Although this particular type of tea is only now gaining major
notoriety in the West, it has been known to the Chinese and
Japanese for centuries. This type of tea is less heavily
processed than its counterpart made from the same leaves, but
despite this fact, it has not been a heavy export from Asia until
the past few years.

The recent rise in popularity of green tea is largely credited to
the many health studies that have revealed some rather big
benefits that can go along with consuming this drink on a regular
basis. Although green tea is still hard pressed to rival its
black counterpart in regard to worldwide popularity, it is giving
that variety a run for its money.

The Early Years

The exact time frame in which green tea rose in popularity in
China is a matter of debate. Some tea enthusiasts put the date at
about 3,000 years ago, others longer. According to one legend,
green tea's history began around 2730 BC when the Emperor Shen
Nung accidentally had leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant
fall into his boiling water. His discovery is said to have caught
on rather quickly.

Other evidence of green tea's early popularity in the orient
abounds. For example, there is a written record from the year 350
AD that explains how to brew this drink properly. Records also
show that Buddhists were known to chew on the leaves of the tea
plant while meditating as early as 520 AD. Lu Yu's "The Book of
Tea," written in 780 AD chronicles the benefits of green tea in
regard to health - revelations which are only now being
discovered in the west.

The spread of green tea from China to Japan is also a bit murky.
The rise of this variety in Japan is credited to the emperor who
is said to have bestowed gifts of green tea upon monks in the
700s AD.

Whatever the actual date of green tea's first discovery and use,
there is little debate that this drink originated in China
centuries ago and remains a popular beverage there and elsewhere.
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Understanding Green Tea

To understand why this particular form of tea was and is so
popular in China and Japan it helps to understand a bit about how
it is made. Green tea and black tea both are derived from the
exact same plant leaves. They both come from the Camellia
sinensis.

Unlike black teas, which are heavily processed, green tea is
almost wholly served in its natural form. The leaves of the
sinensis plant are heated or steamed and then dried for the green
variety. Since the processing is very little in regard to green
tea, the natural chlorophyll and other nutrients found in the
leaves remain behind. This helps give green tea its distinct
coloration and flavoring.

On the other hand, black tea is more heavily processed. The steps
involved in creating black varieties do tend to strip away many
of the natural health benefits of this kind of tea along with the
lighter, green to yellow coloration. Despite this, black tea is
still one of the most widely consumed varieties in the world.

The reason why green tea was likely so popular early on lies in
the fact it is simply easier to create. The lack of processing
makes this a product that is much simpler to get from tree to
table. Keep in mind though that the health benefits of green tea
do not seem to have been lost on the early users of this variety
either.

The Rise Of Green Tea In The West

Green tea has found itself being served in western settings for
many years. It has, however, only recently come into extreme
vogue.

Some of the earliest examples of green tea consumption outside of
the orient include Portuguese imports of the product in the early
1500s and the writings of the Venetians in the late 1500s. Tea
began to be sold quite readily in London by the 1650s, although
the black variety was the one that really took hold.

Green tea has also been known as a staple in Chinese and Japanese
restaurants throughout North America for years. Its spread beyond
these establishments, however, has been relatively recent.

In the past few decades, green tea has taken hold of the North
American and European markets by storm. The rise of popularity of
this variety in the West is largely credited to the many health
studies that have concluded this form of tea can have major
positive impacts on medical standing.

Thanks to the light processing it receives, green tea is known to
contain a high amount of antioxidants in its brewed form. These
antioxidants have proven beneficial for warding off cancer, heart
disease and other ailments. Recent studies out of the United
Kingdom also show that green tea can help increase insulin
sensitivity and even assist in calorie burning and fat oxidation.

The Future Of Green Tea

It would take a crystal ball to see the exact path green tea
consumption will take in the future. If current market trends
hold, however, it's not out of the question to see this form of
tea far surpass other varieties in popularity and sales.

At present, green tea is widely sold in a number of different
forms. Some of the most popular include chilled, bottled drinks,
within tea bags and even loose for brewing and proper steeping.
As it stands at the moment, the future of green tea looks very
bright.

From its ancient roots in China and Japan to the grocery stores
of today, green tea has a long and storied history. What the
future holds for this variety only looks bright at the moment.
With its distinct flavor and noted health benefits, green tea is
likely to remain a hot commodity for some time to come.

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Jon Stout is Chairman of the Golden Moon Tea Company.
For more information about
green tea (http://www.goldenmoontea.com/Green_Tea_W318.cfm),
oolong tea (http://www.goldenmoontea.com/Oolong_Tea_W319.cfm)
and chai tea (http://www.goldenmoontea.com/Chai_Tea_W341.cfm)
go to: http://www.goldenmoontea.com ============================================================


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