Next to water green tea – a fragrant and delicious concoction is also known for its popularity among weight watchers in their quest to shed a few inches off their girth. Green tea is not only rich in antioxidants like polyphenols, sterols, tocopherols, carotenoids and amino acid, but also in vitamins and minerals. Collectively, these compounds help fight off diseases and slow down the aging process.
While its health benefits cannot be denied, many still have no idea how to appropriately prepare it. If you are one of the countless others who doesn’t have an inkling how, this green tea FAQ will help unravel the secrets behind this extraordinary drink.
Source : womenfitness.net
1. What is the proper way of preparing green tea?
Making green tea all depends on whether you are using tea leaves, powder or one in a pre-packed bag. As a general rule– water must not be over 90-deg Celsius (194-deg Fahrenheit) as it will make it bitter to the taste. Make use of hot water at 80 to 85- deg Celsius for a smoother taste. If water reaches boiling point, allow it to cool for at least 30 seconds.
Green Tea Leaves or Tea Pearls. You will need only a teaspoon of green for each cup and then, place it in a cloth strainer or sieve. Place it on top of a cup and pour hot water. Allow to steep for 3 to 4 minutes. If you want it stronger, steep it at 4 minutes max. If not then, 2 to 3 minutes will do. Feel free to add half a teaspoon of sugar or a teaspoon of honey.
Green Tea Powder. You will need 1 and 1/2 teaspoon of green tea powder for every 6oz cup of hot water. Stir it in and allow to steep for 3 to 4 minutes. Again, steeping time depends on how strong you want it. When the color starts changing, you can strain the tea powder then, add sugar or honey. To make it more fragrant and flavorful, add a pinch of cardamom powder.
Green Tea Bags. Essentially 1 tea bag is enough for a 6oz cup of hot water. Preparing a teapot also depends on the number of cups it can accommodate. For a stronger tasting tea, add 1 or 2 tea bags. Make sure the tea bags are at the center of the cup or the teapot before pouring in hot water on top. The dropping motion of hot water over the bag or bags will stimulate release of flavor and aroma. Steep for at least 2 minutes and you’re good to go!
The idea is to use quality tea leaves, pearls, powder or bags over hot-but-not-boiled water at approximately 80 to 85-deg Celsius. For a stronger punch, steep your green tea longer. When losing weight, use honey instead of sugar.
2. How do you drink green tea for weight loss?
Green tea is also the go-to beverage for ardent weight watchers. It is believed to be rich in catechins, an active compound that prevents fat accumulation and heightens body temperature to aid in calorie burning. Caffeine in green tea doubles the said ability to stimulate weight loss in the body. To get both catechins and caffeine in green tea, experts suggest drinking at least 2 to 3 cups per day. A cup of green tea is believed to contain around 320mg catechins and around 60mg caffeine– depending on how you brew it. The stronger your green tea, the higher the compounds to stimulate weight loss. Try to ditch sugar or honey as this ingredients can add to the calorie count, too.
3. When is the right time to drink green tea– before or after meal?
Aside from preparation, adequate care must be done when drinking it. A cup in the morning when the stomach is empty is highly discouraged as this may damage the liver. Drinking green tea while eating will also inhibit iron absorption thus, it is also discouraged or prohibited. The best time to drink it is 2 hours after a meal to aid in proper digestion, nutrient absorption and stimulate metabolism. Drinking tea at least 2 hours before bedtime also helps prevent sleep disturbance. To lose weight, drink a cup or two prior to working out to stimulate fat-burning ability. Squeezing half a lemon also helps when gearing for a workout.
4. How many cups of green tea is allowed per day?
According to experts, the more cups of green tea you drink in a day, the higher the benefits. However, drinking more than 5 cups is not advisable to someone sensitive to caffeine, anemic or have insomnia. A healthy dose of green tea is 2 to 3 cups in a day. Excessive amounts will only trigger headache, nervousness, dizziness, irritability, and heartburn. Sometimes, it may also result to irregular heartbeat, nausea and confusion. Do take note that excessive caffeine is also known to cause osteoporosis due to increase calcium excretion via urination.
Your Choice of Green Tea Brand Matters
Lipton 100 Percent Natural Green Tea (100 count tea bags)
While the advisable amount of green tea is around 2 to 3 cups in a day, it is also highly dependent on the tea brand you use. Natural green tea, like this 100-count Lipton 100 Percent Natural Green Tea is one of the highly recommended brand in the market. Aside from zero preservatives and food color, it is also 100 percent natural and cultivated with sustainability in mind. Drinking this green tea will allow you to enjoy the benefits while preserving the environment. Overall, preparing green tea may look easy but adequate care must be taken into mind. To ensure reaping its astounding benefits, the aforementioned tips and guidelines on this Green Tea FAQ will be of great help. As a precaution to people with chronic diseases, a quick check with your physician will also ensure your safety.
source https://www.organicteagarden.net/green-tea-faq-all-you-need-to-know-about-making-tea
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