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Nutrition

8 green teas that taste amazing

Green tea has so many health benefits but the taste can often be bitter. We’ve tracked down new ones that provide a health hit and please your taste buds

If it’s green then it’s probably good for you, and green tea is certainly no exception. Green tea has been hailed by many as the miracle beverage we should all be drinking, and rightly so. This super green brew is anti-ageing, cancer-curbing, brain-boosting and fat-fighting.Yet despite knowing the health benefits, there’s often one fundamental thing that stops us joining in on the green tea action – the taste. But with green tea’s rising popularity a whole new generation of tasty greens have been born. We’ve tracked down some of the tastiest so you don’t have to.

One study found that among Japanese individuals aged between 65-84, those drinking the most green tea were 76 per cent less likely to die
Want to live longer? One study found that among Japanese individuals aged between 65-84, those drinking the most green tea were 76 per cent less likely to die…

First, to build your enthusiasm, let’s look at the health benefits.

1. Cancer fighting

Polyphenols and catechins are your new best friends. These are the antioxidants green tea is rich in and we all know that consuming antioxidants is a good idea. That they assist in slowing down the ageing process (yes please) by destroying disease-causing free-radicals in the body. These mutated cells, damaged by oxidation (like anything exposed to oxygen-think rotting fruit) can cause cancer and antioxidants work by stopping them in their tracks. According to several studies, the high levels of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (the dominant antioxidant in green tea) is the reason behind green tea’s association with reducing cancer risk.

Tea ceremony.
Green tea has been associated with shrinking waistlines for quite a while…

2.Fat-burning

Unless you’ve been living under a rock you’ll have heard about green tea’s fat-busting vigour. Various studies have revealed that the ancient Oriental brew inhibits fat absorption, regulates blood sugar so that you munch less, and the catechins rev up your metabolism.

3. Brain-fuelling

Prone to forgetfulness? Then you have another reason to drink green tea. Much research has highlighted that apparently it’s fuel for your brain, and one recent study in particular links green tea with improved memory. The 2014 study led by the University of Basil, Switzerland, found that green tea actually improved connectivity between different brain regions, leading to better short-term memory. Participants were given a whey-protein based drink with added green tea extract and then their brain activity was measured via MRI scans as they performed memory tasks. Believe it or not, but participants who swigged the green tea concoction carried out the tasks more effectively than those who didn’t. Researchers believe that this discovery may help assess the power of green tea in treating degenerative cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

4. Stress relieving

And if that wasn’t enough to make you rush to pop the kettle on, green tea has also been shown to alleviate stress and induce a state of calm. This is down to an amino acid going by the name of L-theanine. By stimulating alpha brain waves (the brain waves present during deep relaxation or peaceful day-dreaming) and encouraging the release of dopamine and serotonin (neurotransmitters in the brain essential to happiness) L-theanine can calm us down whilst keeping us alert. In green tea it works well by moderating the hit of the caffeine buzz on the human nervous system. Hence why green tea can leave you feeling alert yet levelled, perfect if you seek a lift without the jitters you’d associate with coffee.

Green tea can give you a much needed brain boost and relax you when you’re life’s stresses pile up. Ditch the coffee.

GREEN TEA HYBRIDS WE LOVE

Depending on when it was picked and how it was prepared along with which parts of the plant are used to create it, green tea comes in many forms, none  of which are the  bog-standard bitter type – here are our favourites

1. Matcha

Now this is a green tea that really deserves the title ‘green’. The vibrancy of the verdant green you’ll find swirling in your cup is like no other but it’s not all about aesthetics. Its distinct green is an indicator of its chlorophyll and amino acid richness. Aside from its alluring hue, this great green is a powerhouse when it comes to antioxidant content and is considered to have a higher ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) then dark chocolate and acai berries. The ritual tea of Japanese Bhuddist monks for 900 years-this tea’s leaves are ground into a fine powder. Why? So that you can ingest the entire leaf and therefore all of its valuable catechins rather than throwing them away in a bag. To ensure a clear mind, monks would drink the brain-enhancing beverage prior to hours of deep, silent meditation. That L-theanine sure works wonders. We like: Greens Organic Premium Matcha Green Tea £17.99

Matcha tea

Another beauty of its powder form is that you can consume this super green however you like. Experiment by adding half a teaspoon to your favourite fruit smoothie, milk, or even porridge. Want to keep it simple? Then you’re in for an earthy treat when you whisk it into hot water. This tea has a vegetal taste reminiscent of freshly cut grass and green vegetables, and is not overpowering but pure with a hint of sweet. The lingering question here is what about the bitterness? Nope. No bitterness here.

 

 

2. Genmaicha

Also known as ‘Popcorn tea’, Genmaicha is a Japanese green tea that combines leaves known as ‘bancha’ with pieces of toasted brown rice-some of which pop, hence the moniker. Intrigued? Originally the drink of Japan’s peasants, the addition of rice served a greater purpose than imparting flavour. It bulked out the leaves which were expensive to come by. Little did they know that they had concocted a seductively savoury and nutty green tea that would become favoured by all members of Japanese society and now us too. We like: Clearspring Organic Japanese Green Tea (Genmaicha) £9.08

Genmaicha
Dangerously addictive, Clearspring’s Genmaicha is so nutty and popcorn-y it had us craving more

Well it wasn’t kicking about the office for long, so go figure. Again, it doesn’t have any of the bitterness associated with regular green tea. It has a toasted nutty flavour and is very aromatic. You can really taste the roasted rice. Upon first tasting initial thoughts were that it tasted like the bottom crispy bit of boiled rice (and let’s be honest, that’s the best bit) There’s definitely an aftertaste of popcorn in there as well. ‘Popcorn’ tea it is indeed.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Kukicha

This Japanese green tea hybrids is favoured by macrobiotic diet devotees (Gwyneth was once one). While green tea contains 10-60 milligrams of caffeine, Kukicha contains less than 10 milligrams, but it’s health benefits, mineral and antioxidnat content are maintained much better because it’s roasted instead of fermented, which is the process through which black and green teas can lose some health promoting properties. We like: Clearspring Organic Kukicha Twig Tea

CS360-Kukicha-01_1024x1024
Who said it was all about about the leaves? Clearspring’s Kukicha Twig Tea puts the twigs in the spotlight.

 

If green tea makes you feel queasy because of it’s bitterness, Kukicha probably won’t because of it’s more soothing, gentle flavour. This tea has an earthy and slightly spicy depth to it and is suprisingly sweet. Good news for those of you who a partial to the sweet but want to curb the sugar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FLAVOURED GREEN TEAS WE ADORE

Green tea’s rising popularity has given rise to a whole new generation of deliciously flavoured green teas. We’ve scouted out some of the best – all without artificial ingredients

4. Teapigs Marakesh Mint Green Tea £4.15

teapigs mint green tea
Authentically minty – Teapigs’ Marrakesh Mint Green Tea is sure to please

Partial to minty freshness? You can throw out that packet of mints and replace it with a much healthier alternative: Teapigs’ Marrakesh Mint green tea. Teapigs use whole leaves so as to not miss out on flavour, then package them in biodegradable pyramids for the ultimate infusion. In Morocco, the tradition is to drink mint tea with copious amounts of sugar…We’ll leave that up to you.

This tea goes down a treat after lunch or dinner, with the spearmint acting well as breath-freshener. Not only that but it’s a taste sensation-the minty-ness being very authentic. Make sure you don’t infuse for any longer than three minutes as you will damage the taste, and we don’t want that. It has a mild sweet edge to it already but if you’re particularly sweet-toothed and would like to drink it the way the way the Moroccans intended, then drop in a blob of honey and you’re good to go.

 

5. Jing Jasmine Pearls Tea £16.50

Jasmine Pearls Tin
Jing’s aromatic Jasmine tea is sure to win you over.

Inside the Luxurious gold tin you will find fabulously rolled pearls of green tea whilst being welcomed with a waft of aromatic Jasmine. The distinctive pellet shapes are achieved by hand-rolling the “tippy” (the tips of the leaves) then wrapping them inside paper to retain their shape. Once dried the rolled leaves are flavoured using Jasmine flowers and nothing else. Nothing artificial lurking here.

If your taste buds have an affinity for floral notes than you’ll find Jing’s Jasmine green tea heavenly. The aromatic flavour of jasmine flowers packs a punch yet lingers with a faint sweetness. Jing aren’t lying when they state it has a ‘rich mouth’ feel. It’s like drinking silk. And you won’t fin any bitterness here. Even after a second brew the leaves didn’t turn sour, and the sweet Jasmine really hung in there. You can actually re-infuse this tea three times.

6. Higher Living Coconut Green Tea £3.99 (ed’s favourite)

Higher Living Green Tea & Coconut
Coconut and Lychee – a match made in heaven

We know that we are about to mention two teas from the same company but they are just so darn good we had to. How about coconut? This green tea has such a rich, coconut-y flavour that we were shocked. You can’t even discern the green tea taste that much, just delicious coconut and a hint of sweet lychee. Need we say more?

 7. Higher Living Green Tea Chai £1.99

chai green tea
Want the taste of chai latte without the guilt? Enter Higher Living’s Green Tea Chai

Now maybe you like a bit of spice. Perfectly festive and warming, Higher Living hit the spot with their Chai green tea. The spicy cardamon and fragrant cinnamon makes for a sweet, indulgent green tea that is underlined with a citrusy zing from the orange. We found this tea deliciously smooth. Just like a chai but without the calories.

 

 

8. Whittard’s Mango and Bergamot Green Tea £10.00

Whittard Mango and Bergamot
Thank you Whittard-It’s been a pleasure.

This tea won a great taste award two years in a row (2013 & 2014) for a reason. Even before tasting we defy you not to be seduced by the scent of candied mango which actually smells all the more sweet thanks to the peppery citrus of the bergamot. Divine. Once it had brewed (finally, we couldn’t wait) we were able to enjoy a pure, refreshingly tropical green tea, that once again was devoid of all bitterness usually associated with the beverage. The tropical sweetness lingers under the tongue for a good while-Yes we enjoyed it.

 

 

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