From the green teas available which would be the most potent in terms of polyphenol extracts of EGCG and any other beneficial properties?
As a yet fully seasoned consumer of tea I haven't much developed a palette, or experienced enough variety of green teas, to quite discriminate in tastes so would like to make next purchase based upon whichever type might have the greatest health benefits.
Any suggestions?
May 1st, '09, 03:08
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kkthxby3
May 1st, '09, 06:44
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I don't know if you were looking specifically for the most potent green, or if you just thought that greens were the most potent, so you were looking for the most potent of the most potent. If you're just looking for potency and don't care whether or not it's green, I'd suggest going for white tea. White tea is the closest to its natural state, so it has more of the nutrients, including polyphenols. Check that out here, here, or here.
If you were just looking for the most potent green, feel free to disregard what I just said
If you were just looking for the most potent green, feel free to disregard what I just said
May 1st, '09, 06:59
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I still think matcha wins over white, you're basically eating the stuff instead of trying to leech out some goodness with hot water.TheJerseyDevil wrote:I don't know if you were looking specifically for the most potent green, or if you just thought that greens were the most potent, so you were looking for the most potent of the most potent. If you're just looking for potency and don't care whether or not it's green, I'd suggest going for white tea. White tea is the closest to its natural state, so it has more of the nutrients, including polyphenols. Check that out here, here, or here.
If you were just looking for the most potent green, feel free to disregard what I just said
May 1st, '09, 08:34
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May 1st, '09, 08:36
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Re: Most Potent?
Technically of course, it is not "extract" in looseleaf tea, just naturally occurring.kkthxby3 wrote:From the green teas available which would be the most potent in terms of polyphenol extracts of EGCG and any other beneficial properties?
Any suggestions?
Whites would have my vote. But more like a White Peony (Bai Mudan) since it is likely easier to steep the benificial properties out of the leaf than a closed bud like Silver Needle.
But it is simply best to drink what you enjoy. Any health benefit is a bonus, and if you are drinking a tea you do not really care for because of the health possible health benefits, you will likely give it up anyway.
But give greens and whites a try.
blah blah blah SENCHA blah blah blah!!!
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May 1st, '09, 13:11
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Re: Most Potent?
[pedant]Well until you start extracting it from the loose leaf with hot water, hence the nod towards matcha[/pedant]Chip wrote: Technically of course, it is not "extract" in looseleaf tea, just naturally occurring.
I also vote for "drink what you like" in the sense that, once you try many teas, you will find yourself wishing to drink one or another as a natural preference.
I have found that by restricting supplements (like different vitamins, etc) I naturally start to crave foods with those good things in them that I need. As the state of my health changes, I have found myself wanting different teas.
You might just try sampling all kinds of teas and then see what you respond to, what makes you feel best, how healthy you feel in response and what you tend to crave to drink. In the meantime there is a lot of literature out there, and not all of it absolutely dependable. Any medical literature tends to reflect inputs from different interests, but often tea studies are done and/or funded by companies with a particular interest.
And enjoy it! That's part of the discipline - without it there's no point in practice IMO
I have found that by restricting supplements (like different vitamins, etc) I naturally start to crave foods with those good things in them that I need. As the state of my health changes, I have found myself wanting different teas.
You might just try sampling all kinds of teas and then see what you respond to, what makes you feel best, how healthy you feel in response and what you tend to crave to drink. In the meantime there is a lot of literature out there, and not all of it absolutely dependable. Any medical literature tends to reflect inputs from different interests, but often tea studies are done and/or funded by companies with a particular interest.
And enjoy it! That's part of the discipline - without it there's no point in practice IMO
May 1st, '09, 14:37
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Agreed, I also find the weather plays a big part in what tea I want. Although I'm not sure the weather is as big a factor in Liberalfornia as it is here in Scotland.Janine wrote:As the state of my health changes, I have found myself wanting different teas.
To compare it to fruit, the one with the highest percentage of newly discovered & scientifically healthy stuff is not necessarily the healthiest for you. sometimes dried fruit is better than fresh or a banana might suit your body better than a handful of goji berries.
Read the scientific studies but listen to your cravings and the effect the teas have on your body too. A little cup of aged pu'erh might be better than a litre of fresh green stuff on occasion,
May 2nd, '09, 04:47
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Thanks for the replies.
TheJerseyDevil -- Yes, after posting this thread I thought, 'I should add White to the question as between White and Green, while Green is experiencing much popularity at the moment White actually yields better benefits,' but then I thought, 'shouldn't that go into the White Tea board,' to which I concluded with, 'eh.'
Well, I'm no stranger to Green teas as I used to work at Peet's Coffee where we have a nice selection but I was more interested in coffee beans at that time so didn't give much thought to teas. As of now though, I appreciate the tastes of green tea but also enjoy the white teas as well. In my last batch I bought the White Peony which I love and the Casablanca Twist which I enjoy just as much as well as the Bengal Green Chai (or something) which is good too.
Anyway though... For my next order I'm just wondering what I ought try next in addition to what I'm going to be ordering for reals (eg. an actual canister and not just a sample) and would like to make that decision based upon potency as for example, while I enjoy the Casablanca Twist I would assume because the green is being shared with the mint there isn't as much green as there would be in another purebred blend, no? Of course taste comes first but I do intend on trying everything out so what next is the question.
As for smoking, I don't smoke, though I would disagree with the sentiment made as based upon whatever diseases may be linked to smoking in comparison to Europeans and Japanese who smoke just as heavily as those in the states those linked diseases to smoking are far less prevalent in those societies which is based upon the healthier, more active lifestyles they live.
Anything in excess to a point of abuse is harmful, even tea! Some tea bags have an excess of 4.0 ppm of fluoride which surpasses the EPA safety limit. Green tea alone has fluoride which in abuse of, along with our government fluorided water, anyone can develop fluoride poisoning if not aware. And of course too much caffeine is never good or at least not on an empty stomach, as we all do have a threshold where any additional caffeine has no effect.
Typing of smoking, and in regards to a comment made about whatever is healthy may not be healthy for you: A recent study came out demonstrating a connection between fruits/veggies in non-smokers with a lower risk of colon cancer but an increased rate of colon cancer for smokers who eat a high volume of fruits/veggies.
Despite that finding, I do agree that it doesn't matter per say what the government or "scientists" deem to be healthy or non just depends on what works for you as there are numerous variables that determine whatever positive or negative effect may be had on any given individual.
TheJerseyDevil -- Yes, after posting this thread I thought, 'I should add White to the question as between White and Green, while Green is experiencing much popularity at the moment White actually yields better benefits,' but then I thought, 'shouldn't that go into the White Tea board,' to which I concluded with, 'eh.'
Well, I'm no stranger to Green teas as I used to work at Peet's Coffee where we have a nice selection but I was more interested in coffee beans at that time so didn't give much thought to teas. As of now though, I appreciate the tastes of green tea but also enjoy the white teas as well. In my last batch I bought the White Peony which I love and the Casablanca Twist which I enjoy just as much as well as the Bengal Green Chai (or something) which is good too.
Anyway though... For my next order I'm just wondering what I ought try next in addition to what I'm going to be ordering for reals (eg. an actual canister and not just a sample) and would like to make that decision based upon potency as for example, while I enjoy the Casablanca Twist I would assume because the green is being shared with the mint there isn't as much green as there would be in another purebred blend, no? Of course taste comes first but I do intend on trying everything out so what next is the question.
As for smoking, I don't smoke, though I would disagree with the sentiment made as based upon whatever diseases may be linked to smoking in comparison to Europeans and Japanese who smoke just as heavily as those in the states those linked diseases to smoking are far less prevalent in those societies which is based upon the healthier, more active lifestyles they live.
Anything in excess to a point of abuse is harmful, even tea! Some tea bags have an excess of 4.0 ppm of fluoride which surpasses the EPA safety limit. Green tea alone has fluoride which in abuse of, along with our government fluorided water, anyone can develop fluoride poisoning if not aware. And of course too much caffeine is never good or at least not on an empty stomach, as we all do have a threshold where any additional caffeine has no effect.
Typing of smoking, and in regards to a comment made about whatever is healthy may not be healthy for you: A recent study came out demonstrating a connection between fruits/veggies in non-smokers with a lower risk of colon cancer but an increased rate of colon cancer for smokers who eat a high volume of fruits/veggies.
Despite that finding, I do agree that it doesn't matter per say what the government or "scientists" deem to be healthy or non just depends on what works for you as there are numerous variables that determine whatever positive or negative effect may be had on any given individual.
