What Is Green Tea Made Of?
Green tea is a popular drink, known for its numerous health benefits, that is made from Camellia sinensis leaves and buds. Depending on the type, green tea can be further processed to produce different flavours and aromas.
Ingredients of Green Tea
Green tea is made from four simple ingredients – tea leaves, water, and sometimes a few additional ingredients to enhance its flavour.
- Tea Leaves – Green tea is generally made from Camellia sinensis leaves, the same type of leaves used to produce black tea, oolong tea, and white tea.
- Water – Water is used to extract the flavour and nutrition from the tea leaves.
- Additional Ingredients – Some green teas may be further processed, either during the production process or afterwards, with additional ingredients like spices, herbs, and even sugar.
Overview of Green Tea Production
The production of green tea is a complex process, largely depending on the type being made. The most common form of green tea is sencha, a Japanese variety of green tea, which is usually made with the following steps:
- The tea leaves are plucked and dried.
- The leaves are steamed or pan-fired to stop oxidation.
- The leaves are rolled to shape the consistency and create the desired flavour.
- The leaves are dried again to perform the final processing.
The finished tea is then usually packaged and sold, either as loose tea or in tea bags.
Conclusion
Green tea is an enjoyable beverage made from tea leaves, water, and, sometimes, additional ingredients for flavouring. The type of green tea and the production method will dictate the flavour and aroma of the tea. Green tea is rich in antioxidants and flavonoids and has many beneficial health properties.
