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Green Tea is different from other teas and for that reason it should be brewed in a different manner. What makes Green Tea unique from other teas is its high Polyphenol or antioxidant content. It contains considerably more of these all important anti-aging, anti-cancer, anti-arthritis compounds than other teas that are made from the very same plant as it is. The manner in which Green Tea is processed is what causes it to hold more of these nutrients locked within its leaves than Black or Oolong teas contain.

The traditional way to release these compounds so that we are able to reap their health benefits is to steep and to create, a tea from these Green Tea Leaves. When brewing Green Tea it is very important to allow ample time for the nutrients within them to be released into the hot water that will become our tea. It is suggested that most teas steep in boiling water for three to five minutes to create tea. Because it is important to release the Polyphenols within Green Tea, the water should be boiling when it is placed with the tea. Also the longer that the tea leaves infuse with the water, than the more of these nutrients are released within it, so consider leaving the Green Tea Leaves to steep for the full five minutes.

The size of the leaf is also important when steeping Green Tea. Purchasing and using a smaller cut of tea leaf compared to a larger leaf variety will enable the diffusion of the nutrients within these leaves to occur more readily within hot water. Loose tea leaves will infuse easier than the bagged variety, so when using bags of green tea, stir the pot often or dunk the teabag rather than leaving it float. This will enable the Polyphenols within the Green Tea Leaves to exit more readily.

Green tea tends to have a more subtle flavor than other teas, but it like most teas, when it is brewed to full strength it can have a bitter taste to it. Fortunately there are a number of varieties of Green Teas on supermarket shelves, so if you find the one that you are using to be somewhat bitter, try other brands till you find one more to your palate's taste. Other ways to overcome the taste is to hide the taste. Instead of creating a tea using two bags of green tea per pot, place one bag of green tea in the pot along with one bag of your regular tea, or favorite herb tea. This way you can enjoy the nutritional benefits of sipping green tea while enjoying all the flavor of your favorite teas.

Sipping five cups of a relaxing hot cup of Green Tea each day is the amount recommended to apply the amazing health benefits within it into your life.

Sources:
http://altmedicin e.about.com/cs/3/a/GreenTea.ht m
http://chinesefood.about.com/ library/weekly/aa011400a.htm

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