L-Theanine

[Ed]

But only the green varieties are worth drinking

[pb2q]

So is the concensus that all teas in loose form black, oolong,green and white all contain some theanine?

The following information is lifted from a publication titled Green Tea and Human Health, page 30. It's a pamphlet that was written by Dr. Itaro Oguni, Prof. of Food Science, Dept. of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Hamamatsu College. This pamphlet came to me recently via a Den's tea order. No references are cited for this particular information.

Theanine in Dry Leaves (mg/100g)

• Gyokuro High Quality: 2650
  Gyokuro Medium Quality: 1480
  Gyokuro Low Quality: 1340
  
  Sencha Premium Quality: 1980
  Sencha High Quality: 1280
  Sencha Medium Quality: 1210
  Sencha Low Quality: 612
  
  Bancha: -
  Hojicha: -
  
  Matcha High Quality: 2260
  Matcha Medium Quality: 1790
  Matcha Low Quality: 1170
  
  Chinese White Tea: 838
  Chinese Yellow Tea: 1580
  Chinese Oolong Tea: 588
  Chinese Pu-er Tea: 8

Theanine was discussed in this section recently: http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?t=6449

Here's another good discussion from last summer: http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?t=5575

[inspectoring]

just be careful. when taken in high doses - it has been known to cause liver toxicity. There is also an issue of polyphenol toxicity.

[jumpin jester]

I love this thread! It refuses to die. You have to admire the sheer tenacity of a thread like this one. The staying power..... the determination....

Brain chemistry and tea. What a combo! I'm suprised that this thread hasn't brought out our chemistry enthusiasts. I remember being quite struck by the mood altering effect of green tea when I first started to drink it. Now I notice it less. Probably because my baseline mind/body is now more in line with the state of mind that drinking tea helped to produce in the first place. It's official - I have tea brain.

Ugh, the woes of being a tea head, eh murrius? lol

[murrius]

Ugh, the woes of being a tea head, eh murrius? lol

Yes, it's hard work sometimes but it has many rewards.

[Love4TheLeaf]

tea head

[murrius]

Yay! The immortal theanine thread is back....

[hop_goblin]

I read that green and white tea contain L-theanine, which acts has a calming effect on the body. Does anyone know anything more about this, or if all green teas or Adagio teas contain this?

ALL teas Black, white, green, yellow, red etc contain the magic ingredient.

[riccaicedo]

The reason gyokuro and matcha have the highest concentration of L-theanine is the shaded cultivation process. Sunlight helps to turn L-theanine into catechins.

[edkrueger]

this is an over 6 year old thread...

[Teacup1980]

L-theanine, one of amino acid, is high in the shade-grown teas such as Matcha & Gyokuro. L-theanine is "umami" or savory taste and this is why Matcha and Gyokuro have unique sweet taste.

[edkrueger]

this is still an over 6 year old thread...

[TIM]

http://www.suntory.co.jp/softdrink/kuro ... index.html

[riccaicedo]

?