There are many unique tastes to green tea, such as bitterness, astringency and full-bodied flavours. A large amount of ingredients in green tea are believed to be good for human health. They have many different effects.
Catechins
Catechins, a type polyphenol, are the main astringency ingredient in green tea. They are also known as tannins. Catechin was first isolated in India from plant extract catechu (from the tree of the Fabaceae genus, acacia catechu), which is where it gets its name. Dr. Michiyo Takimura, a Japanese Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), first isolated tea catechin in 1929. There are four types of tea leaves.
EpicatechinEpigallocatechin
Epicatechin gallate
Epigallocatechin gallate
Some catechins can also change in tea beverages due to heat processing.
Catechin – Epicatechin
Gallocatechin – Epigallocatechin
Epicatechin gallate – Catechin gallate
Epigallocatechin gallate – Gallocatechin gallate
Catechins are very easy to oxidize. You must know about CTC tea too.Most catechins in
n tea are not oxidized because the process of making crude tea includes stopping the action of oxidizing agents. Oolong and black teas are made from oxidized polymers. These oxidized catechins turn orange or red, unlike catechins that are colorless in aqueous solutions. This is why oolong teas and black teas have a distinctive reddish hue.
The catechin content in Ichibancha is approximately 12-14% and that of Nibancha is approximately 14-15%. Young shoots (first and second leaves) have a higher catechin content than mature leaves (third and fourth leaf). Teas grown with cover culture, such as Gyokuro to block out most sunlight, have a lower level of catechins than Sencha.
The tea bushes’ roots contain the anine, which then migrates to the leaf. Exposure to light causes the anine to be broken down, resulting in ethylamino which is then transformed into catechin. Covered culture can be used to make teas that are high in theanine but low in catechin.
Caffeine
Tea can help you feel refreshed after a long day of work or studying. This is due to caffeine, which is found in tea. There is no significant difference in the caffeine content depending on when the tea was picked. This is similar to the catechin and amino acids (theanine) but there is more caffeine in younger shoots than in mature leaves. The caffeine content in teas that have been roasted at high temperatures, such as Hojicha is sublimated. This means the caffeine has changed directly from a solid state to a gaseous one and it is believed to decrease.
Caffeine has two main effects: increased alertness and mild diuretic effects. Caffeine has a stimulant effect (CNS) on the central nervous systems. It can reduce drowsiness, increase mental and physical labor capacity, and it can also prevent drowsiness. When one takes in caffeine, and then engages in moderate amounts of exercise, the body’s internal energy source (glucose, glycogen), fat can be used to fuel the body, which helps increase stamina. Tea is also said to prevent hangovers. This can also be explained by caffeine’s ability to quickly metabolize alcohol. Tea is believed to have been a favorite drink of humans for its refreshing effects.
Amino Acid (Theanine)
Tea is known for its unique qualities of rich flavor (Umami), sweetness, and full-bodiedness. It also has a relaxing effect. These characteristics are mostly due to a type of amino acid called Theanine.
Amino acid is the component that gives tea its full-bodied flavor. More than 60% of these amino acids are theanine. This is a unique characteristic for tea. The structure of theanine is similar to that found in glutamine. Its unique characteristic is a rich, sweet, and refined flavor. Other than theanine, tea leaves also contain glutamine, asparagine and arginine.
The tea plant (Camellia Sinensis), other camellia, and sasanqua contain theanine. However, it is not found in any other plants. Ichibancha has a higher level of theanine than Nibancha. However, younger shoots have a higher theanine level. The anine content in mature leaves drops dramatically. Tea leaves with high levels of theanine will be produced if they are grown in cover culture (a method that keeps them from direct sunlight). This is what happens to Gyokuro. Shincha and Gyokuro are richer than Bancha (Umami) due to their full-bodied flavors.
Infused tea beverages contain approximately 0.01-0.02% caffeine. This means that infused tea beverages contain approximately 15-30 mg of caffeine per cup. The stimulant effect of this caffeine is mild, even though it should produce a strong stimulant effect. This is because theanine works to reduce the stimulant effects of caffeine. This property transforms a potential dramatic stimulant effect into a moderate one. This is one of the great natural properties of tea.
Theanine’s properties have been demonstrated in animal experiments to lower blood pressure and protect central nervous system cells. According to the ITO EN Central Research Institute, brain waves taken from people who have consumed theanine show an increase in the a-waves. These are created when the person is relaxed.
Vitamins
Vitamins can have many effects on the body. Vitamins are vital nutrients that cannot be manufactured within the body. Green tea is a good choice for your health.
Along with lipids and proteins, vitamins are among the five main nutrients that the body uses. Vitamins are vital nutrients that cannot be manufactured in the body. They must be obtained through food.
There are 13 types, with each being classified as either water-soluble vitamins which dissolve in water or fat-soluble vitamins which only dissolves in fat. Even a small amount of one of these vitamins can cause skin problems, numbness, fatigue, and sluggishness.
Green tea has more vitamins than other foods and is therefore considered a superior beverage. Black tea and oolong have very few vitamins. Vitamin C and other vitamins are mostly lost in the manufacturing process.
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B2 is vital for healthy development. Vitamin B2 is essential for regular development. A lack of Vitamin B2 can cause cracked lips, red lips, and inflammation of the tongue and mouth. Sencha contains around 1.4mg Vitamin B2, which is more than four times the amount found in parsley, spinach, and Jew’s marrow.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for the production of collagen. Vitamin C deficiencies can lead to the loss of collagen fibers and weakening of the vascular walls, which in turn causes scurvy. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, and it is thought to play an important part in the prevention of lifestyle-related illnesses such as cancer.
Sencha has 1.5 times the Vitamin C content of red peppers. Red peppers have the highest concentration of Vitamin C among vegetables. Oolong tea has very low levels of Vitamin C, while black tea does not have any.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is a nutrient that aids in the formation red blood cells. It is recommended for pregnant women as it helps to prevent the development of fetal neural tube defects (NTD). Its role in the prevention of colon cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, and arterial sclerosis is becoming more clear. Matcha and Sencha green teas contain more than five times as much folic acid as spinach and parsley. They also have about the same amount of dried seaweed which has one the highest levels of any food. Only a small amount is found in black tea.
b-carotene
B-carotene is absorbed by the intestinal walls. It is then converted mainly to Vitamin A by the liver, acting as a precursor to Vitamin A (provitamin A). Vitamin A is important for night vision maintenance. Matcha contains five times as much b-carotene than carrots.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects lipids from oxidizing. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble component of cells.
Sencha has 32 times more Vitamin E than spinach, around twice as much as in chili peppers and almost no other food that contains it in such high concentrations. Vitamin E is not soluble in water so it’s best to consume Matcha or powdered green tea.
Saponins and other Components
High blood pressure and tooth decay can be prevented by tea. Tea has many different components that can help prevent tooth decay and high blood pressure.
Saponins
All teas contain saponins. They are responsible for the Matcha-like frothing. Saponins are found in tea leaves around 0.1%. They give the tea its bitterness and astringency. According to the ITO EN Central Research Center, saponins have antifungal, antiinflammatory, and anti allergy properties. They have been shown to lower blood sugar and prevent obesity and influenza.
Fluorine
Camellia japonica contains large amounts of fluorine. In general, older leaves have more fluorine than the younger ones. Bancha is the most fluorine-rich tea. It is responsible for the formation of the acid-resistant outer layer that protects the teeth from acids and helps to prevent cavities.
G-aminobutyric Acid (GABA)
GABA is made from raw leaves that have been left without oxygen. These leaves are dried to make Gabalong Tea.
GABA has elements that were found to lower blood pressure in animals tested on Gabalong tea.
Minerals (Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Manganese, etc.)
Minerals are important regulators of the body. The average tea contains about 5-7% minerals. These include potassium (K), calcium(Ca), phosphorous (P), magnesium (Mg), and small amounts of manganese, zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu).
Chlorophyll
Photosynthesis is a process that produces chlorophyll, which gives plants their green color. Teas grown with cover culture, such as Kabusecha and Gyokuro, try to get the most out of the little light that is available. This results in higher levels chlorophyll. This is why Gyokuro or Kabusecha have a deep green color. Chlorophyll’s deodorizing properties have led to its use in chewing gum.
Fragrance componentsThere are more than 200 fragrance components in tea, and over 300 in black tea. The essence, or Seiyu, that creates the tea’s scent is only present in small amounts, around 0.005% for green tea, and 0.02% for black tea.
Although raw tea leaves have very little scent, when they are harvested enzymes work to disperse individual tea leaf components and release their aroma. Green tea has a delicate scent because the fermentation process is stopped soon after harvest.
Teas get their wonderful aroma from the heat they are heated. This is where the amino acids, saccharides and other compounds react with the heat to create the unique fragrance.
During the heating of Gyokuro Tencha, high-grade Sencha, and Tencha, Vitamin U is also produced. Vitamin U is a key component in gastrointestinal medicines and an effective treatment for gastric ulcers. Vitamin U is responsible for the distinctive green laver aroma in high-grade teas.
Hojicha has many fragrance components that are released during roasting, which results in a pleasant aroma. After harvest, the fermentation process creates the fragrance components in oolong and black teas. The fermentation process is responsible for the fruity aromas of the tekkannon variety oolong tea and darjeeling black-tea. High temperatures are what create the unique aroma of fermented teas like these. Oolong tea and black tee are best when hot.
Tea’s aroma can help people relax and reduce stress. This makes it a popular form of aromatherapy.
