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History Of Green TeaCopyright © 2008 Jon M. StoutGreen 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. 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. About The Author:
*** Digital Reprint Rights *** *** Author Notification *** We ask that you notify the author of publication of his or her work. Jon M. Stout can be reached at: jon.stout@GoldenMoonTea.com *** Print Publication Reprint Rights *** If you desire to publish this article in a PRINT publication, you must contact the author directly for Print Permission at: jon.stout@GoldenMoonTea.com
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