Japanese or Chinese, most healthy?

[Fireflower]

Which between this two should be most healthy generally?
Or is it a question not pertinent because there is not too much difference?

[Zubo]

You can't go wrong with either one, but I think Japan is a bit "safer" because Chinese sometimes use banned pesticides. I guess you don't have to worry if you buy from respected vendor.
I'm not sure does Chinese tea lose some nutrients while being roasted

[entropyembrace]

Or is it a question not pertinent because there is not too much difference?

This is true...they are both the same plant and are processed similarily.

As to the pesticide issue...I think its a concern for cheap tea and not for high end tea...regardless of which country it was grown in.

[Alex]

Enjoying the one you most like the flavour of will be best for your health

[Teacup1980]

I would say Japanese green tea is a little bit healthier because of its steaming process. The steaming process makes tea leaves broken and quick to extract its healthy components. Especially fukamushi (deep-steamed). One of the major TV shows in Japan reports fukamushi green tea is much healthier than regular green teas.

[David R.]

As to the pesticide issue...

A tea grown without pesticide will be the healthiest, whatever the place it comes from. Now it all comes down to whether you trust the label on the teabag or not...

[Xell]

I would say Japanese green tea is a little bit healthier because of its steaming process. The steaming process makes tea leaves broken and quick to extract its healthy components. Especially fukamushi (deep-steamed). One of the major TV shows in Japan reports fukamushi green tea is much healthier than regular green teas.

I heard about this too and seems it's responsible for why fukamushi got so popular.

[teaisme]

TV shows in Japan reports fukamushi green tea is much healthier than regular green teas.

I heard about this too and seems it's responsible for why fukamushi got so popular.

sure theres some science behind it, but is there enough? I think lots of studies like that neglect to account for important variables such as brewing technique or leaf quality. Don't forget some chinese greens are also steamed and vis versa.

I would say it all depends.

[sriracha]

Would have been interesting to know who paid for those studies... =)

[Chip]

We all know, if it's on TV, it has to be true!!!

[AlexZorach]

I've seen no solid evidence comparing Japanese to Chinese teas in terms of health. Unless it's studied scientifically, anything said on the topic is pure speculation.

Some of the reasoning I'm hearing in this thread also sounds slightly suspect to me.

For example, the steaming process does make the leaves broken, and this can make them infuse more quickly. But it also can make the tea break down more quickly in storage. Whole-leaf tea tends to retain beneficial chemicals like Vitamin C longer. Also, more of the chemicals extracted from the tea does not mean it is healthier. Antioxidants are something that can be beneficial in moderation, but in too high quantities, they can inhibit various biological processes. The antioxidants in tea, with the exception of the small amount of Vitamin C in green tea, are not essential nutrients, and are not as beneficial (and possibly not as safe in large quantities) as antioxidant vitamins like Vitamins A, C, and E.

So, I think there are theoretical justifications for it going either way.

I say, just drink what you enjoy the most.

[Xell]

I didn't really see studies that were directly comparing various types of tea, mostly it was separate or not strong enough evidence. What usually they compare to is coffee. Vitamins in tea i think are not that important, since total amount is quite small and even if drink a lot daily it's not an important source.

Getting too much antioxidants from drinking is quite difficult, where it posses a risk is extracts in capsules. Those things i would avoid for sure.

Since to get at least some health benefits from tea need to drink several cups daily, best way is to drink, what you like. So even if fukamushi sencha can deliver you a bit more antioxidants per cup, won't matter, if you can't drink it often.

[iovetea]

i think for westerners chinese green tea is way healthier than japanese green tea. You could spend a fortune and still not get decent japanese tea, somehow it seems easier to get good quality chinese tea. But thats just my experience

[sherubtse]

You could spend a fortune and still not get decent japanese tea, somehow it seems easier to get good quality chinese tea. But thats just my experience

I'd be quite interested in learning which places you have tried re Japanese teas to lead you to be so pessimistic in that regard.

Best wishes,
sherubtse

[teaisme]

You could spend a fortune and still not get decent japanese tea

the $5/50g green bancha at yuukicha raises it's hand in disagreement