More energy, increased alertness & mental clarity, improved metabolism, plus skin, immune & gut health - they're all benefits you can expect from including Sencha green loose leaf tea in your day.
We absolutely love that Sencha tea is high in antioxidants & polyphenols, which can help reduce the risk of chronic disease including cardiovascular disease and some cancers.
Black tea & green tea both come from the same plant - Camellia sinensis, which is an evergreen shrub.
The difference between the two comes down to what happens after they're harvested.
The main difference is the oxidation that they undergo following harvesting - which is when the leaves are exposed to air, fermented, and undergo enzymatic changes.
Black tea is fully oxidised (fermented), while green tea is only lightly oxidised. This translates to differing caffeine & antioxidant levels as a result.
Green tea leaves are delicate, and for that reason it's best to avoid using boiling hot water when brewing your green tea. Brewing green tea at 80°C is optimal - so either utilise a kettle with heat settings, or do what we do:
If you've ever thought Sencha Green Tea was bitter, this will be an absolute game change for you - by not burning the leaves, a smooth, delicate & slightly sweet flavour will be released, making this a much more enjoyable brew.
Green tea is high in antioxidants, specifically Epigallocatechin gallate (ECGC), a phytonutrient which is a potent anti-oxidant, with anti-inflammatory properties. It's also been shown to be protective of the heart & brain, & may even pay a role in supporting weight loss.
Green loose leaf tea is the best quality, plus being loose leaf means it's not placed in teabags containing plastics & other synthetics, meaning it's not only premium quality - it's better for your health, too!
Did you know you can make a soothing, brightening face mask using your sencha green tea?
All you need is:
Place the tea leaves in a mortar & pestle & grind into a fine powder. Transfer the tea leaves into a bowl, then add the baking soda & honey. Stir together - it should make a thick paste.
Apply the mask to your clean, dry face (we recommend using a brush), then leave on for 5 minutes for sensitive skin, 10 minutes for all other skin.
Wash the mixture off with warm water, then dry the skin & apply your normal moisturiser.
* Sencha green tea naturally contains caffeine