The dried leaves of the camellia sinensis plant produce your delicious loose leaf green teas. Used in traditional Chinese, Indian and Japanese medicinal practices for centuries, green tea is bursting with the plant-based goodness associated with antioxidants, long recognised as being highly beneficial to our health.

Green tea is less oxidized than black and oolong tea, but more oxidized than white tea. While black tea is one of the most commonly consumed beverages after water, green tea is also widely drunk around the world. 

As a less processed type of tea than black tea, a cup of green tea overflows, ripples and trickles with natural ingredients providing many health benefits. Gregarious yet gracious green tea provides a rich and natural source of antioxidants such as polyphenols, flavonoids and catechins.

Naturally organic green tea contains no sugars, calories or unhealthy ingredients, so when it is brewed with no additives green tea is definitely good for us. It has naturally occurring properties which can aid with weight loss – so if you want to stay lean, be sure to drink it green.

Some studies have shown a connection to improved brain activity in green tea drinkers and while not proven conclusively, in countries where green tea is widely drunk there appears to be a lower mortality rate. Perhaps it is green tea which is the elixir of life.

Over the years countless studies have been conducted on how green tea benefits our health. Observational studies suggest that green tea might reduce the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Some health claims suggest that green tea extracts may prevent cell damage, lower bad cholesterol and excess blood sugars as well as reducing stress and inflammation in the body.

While we need no excuse bar the right to indulge in the sensational aromas of delicate green tea brews, it seems that we could certainly blossom and bloom if we drink green tea on a regular basis.

Except for fruit tisanes, all teas are produced from the camellia sinensis plant and therefore contain caffeine. Green tea has some caffeine, but less than black or oolong teas and certainly a lot less than coffee and other beverages.

Many external factors influence the amount of caffeine in brews therefore it is difficult to say exactly how much caffeine is in green tea. The amount also varies depending on the type of green tea, the amount used and the length of time for which it is brewed.

If you need a little kickstart but don’t want the jitters, green tea is a better go-to than coffee.

Your cup of gracious green tea has slightly more delicate sensibilities than its black tea comrades, so it is best brewed at a lower temperature. Follow the brewing guide on your green tea favourites, usually indicating a modest 80°C temperature to ensure the best flavour and goodness from your daily green tea brew.

There are virtually no calories in green tea so drink as many cups of green tea as you like every day – just don’t have a jam donut with each one if weight loss is your goal.