Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Oolong Tea, Wu-Long Tea

Oolong tea(Wu Long Tea,or WuLong Tea) is a semi-oxidized tea, occupying the middle ground between green and black teas. Combining the best qualities of green tea and black tea.

Oolong tea are to produce a full-bodied beverage, the leaves for oolong tea (also called Wu Long Tea,or WuLong Tea) must not be picked too early or at too tender a stage, but just when they reach their peak. They must be processed immediately. Unlike leaves for green tea, those destined to be oolong are wilted in direct sunlight. Then they are shaken in tubular bamboo baskets to bruise the leaf edges. This bruising is what makes the edges oxidize faster than the center. The leaves are alternately shaken and spread out to air-dry several times until the veins become transparent and the leaf surface yellows. The edges become reddish as a result of oxidation, while the center remains green, and the leaves give off an orchid-like fragrance. The fermentation is arreste halfway through by firing. The temperature for oolong is higher than for other teas. The final product contains less moisture, which enables it to keep longer.


Oolong tea is produced in Fujian , the province of its origin,China, and some othersincluding Taiwan and Guangdong province. The technique for processing it was taken by Fukienese(Fujian) migrants to Taiwan, and that island's Tungting (Dongding) oolong (This tea is gown in Tung Ting Mountains at an altitude 600 meters, located in central Taiwan famous tea growing region, Nantou Luku) is well known. There may be some difference among mainland and Taiwanese oolongs is taste and medicinal function, due to different soil, processing, and fermentation time. Oolongs from the mainland are said to have more body, the result of longer oxidation, than those from Taiwan.

Oolong tea was actually shown to increase metabolism even more than green tea. Oolong tea increased resting energy needs by 10 percent compared to 4 percent for green tea. At first glance it might seem like drinking Oolong tea would be better than the green tea, but researchers found that the teas work for different reasons. Green tea is high in catechins and caffeine, while Oolong tea is high in polymerized polyphenols. The research suggests that by taking both teas, an even greater fat-burning effect can be achieved.







Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Green Tea Weight Loss

Antioxidant in Green Tea Benefits Weight Loss

Green tea epigallacatechin gallate ( The compound known as EGCG ), a key element in polyphenol antioxidant contained in green tea, benefits weight loss by helping the body burn fat. A study in Switzerland found drinking the equivalent of 2-3 cups of green tea daily caused the participants to burn 80 extra calories each day, without increasing their heart rates and factoring out the tea's caffeine content.





Other More Key Benefits of Green Tea Besides Weight Loss

Polyphenols are a group of naturally occurring plant chemicals with very high antioxidant potential. Antioxidants are substances that protect the body from free radicals, which are special molecules and fragments of molecules that can damage your body from a cellular level. Free radicals hurt the body by making you more vulnerable to degenerative diseases like cancer and heart disease. Antioxidants help by deactivating the free radicals and minimizing the amount of damage they have done or will do.

The many health benefits of green tea, all of which have been demonstrated in scientific studies, include:

Cancer protection.
Cholesterol reduction.
Blood pressure reduction.
Antibacterial and antiviral activity .
Protection against radiation.
Reduction of body fat.
Reduction of blood sugar .
Polyphenols, High Richest in Green Tea Beverage.

The basic difference between green tea and black tea (the more commonly seen variety) is in the fermentation. Green tea leaves are preserved by various techniques such as steaming and baking right after being picked; whereas black tea leaves are exposed to the air for a length of time and then processed. This method gives green tea its unique color and also helps retain one vital resource - the polyphenol.
Source: Green Tea Weight Loss

Wu long tea weight loss ,Wulong Slimming tea
Source: Wu long tea weight loss
Research shows drinking two cups of Wu long tea every day not only helps shed stubborn pounds by boosting your metabolism, but also blocks the fattening effects of carbohydrates; promotes strong, healthy teeth; improves cognitive functioning and mental well-being; clarifies your skin, giving it a healthy, radiant glow and strengthens your immune system.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Green Tea Extract

The Chinese have used green tea for thousands of years. Green tea is also widely consumed in Japan, China and other Asian Nations and is becoming more popular in Western Nations either in a form of water or green tea extract.

A number of beneficial effects are attributed to regular consumption of green tea and green tea extracts.



The Powerful antioxidant, polyphenols in green tea extract can help protect against cell damage and also a compound which could interface with the development of new blood vessels, which tumours need to grow.
Green Tea Extract Catechins, compounds in green tea extract are 25-100 times stronger than vitamin C and E. They protect the body from damage effects of oxidative damage from free radicals.

Considerable epidemiological and experimental evidence shows beneficial effects of green tea extract in reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer, most likely due to the antioxidant property of polyphenols.

As many researches reported, EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate),Green Tea Extract ,one of key elements in green tea extract will block production of an enzyme required for cancer cell growth. EGCG may work by suppressing the formation of blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis, thereby cutting off the supply of blood to cancer cells.

Herbalists use green tea and extracts of its leaves for stomach problems, vomiting, and diarrhea, and to reduce tooth decay, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Recommended Dosage of Green Tea Extracts

So for those who want all of these health benefits but are daunted by prospect of fitting 4 to 10 cups of green tea into their daily routine, Green Tea Extract solves the problem by supplying the key tea polyphenols in a highly concentrated formulation.

A typical dosage is 125 - 500 mg/day - preferably of and extract standardized to at least 60% polyphenols and/or EGCG as a marker compound in green tea extract (This should be equivalent to 4-10 cups of brewed green tea).

Excessive caffeine is not a significant problem, because green tea extract contains only a fraction of what is found in coffee.

Considering the wide safety margin of green tea extract and the fact that benefits have been documented at over 10 cups of tea per day, we recommend taking 1 to 5 capsules spread out throughout the day.
Green Tea Extract

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Chinese Green Tea Discovered Thousand Years Ago!

Chinese people have been drinking green tea to promote good health for at least 5,000 years. The one popular legend about Chinese Green Tea had been told that Chinese green tea was accidentally discovered by Emperior Shen Nung. While his preparing hot water, a leaf from nearby plant fell into the pot imparting a strong fragrance. He sipped
and found it had a delightful and refreshing flavor.
Chinese Green Tea is the most popular beverage and that is what is meant, when one is talking about 'tea'. Middle Kingdom states that 'luh cha' (lu cha), or Chinese green tea is so named because of the tint of the infusion, as opposed to the color of the leaves.

In recent years as a healthy source discovery that Chinese green tea is a rich source of antioxidants, many people in traditional black tea markets have also started to drink Chinese green tea either straight or as part of some green tea blends.

Why Chinese Tea are in Green?


Green tea leaves are steamed, heated in hot pans or roasting in an oven after picking, arresting bacterial growth. Then they are rolled by hand to squeeze out excess moisture and to release flavor enzymes. The green tea leaves are finally dried and packed.

When Chinese green tea leaves are brewed, then turn a light green color with a milder flavor than black teas.

Chinese Green Tea Benefits

Modern science is beginning to tell us what Asian tradition has known for centuries, that tea is good for you.

The strong anti-oxidants called polyphenols is found as a rich compound in Chinese Green Tea which benefits in many ways for health. Studies have been done across the globe that show, Chinese Green Tea will flight against cancer, aging, bacteria, heart disease and help with digestion and weight loss. While Chinese green tea has received by far the most attention recently, both oolong and black teas have studies supporting their own distinctive claims.

Green tea, for centuries the beverage of choice in Asia, is rapidly gaining popularity in the western world. Its natural aroma and widely acclaimed health benefits make green tea appealing to both the tea lover and previously non-tea drinker. The aroma of some green teas surpasses even the best black teas in subtlety and complexity.

Green tea is as varied and unique as wines. Their uniqueness depends upon the growing region, the season's weather, time of harvesting and type of processing. Many varieties are available in multiple grades.

The styles of green tea include: gunpowder, tea rolled into balls, Young Hyson, tea made into long twisted leaves, Imperial, similar to gunpowder but not as tightly rolled, and Hyson, made from older leaves than Young Hyson.

Chunmee green tea is produced in China and is also referred to as Zhenmei or Precious Eyebrows. The leaves are carefully hand rolled to the eye-brow shape with great skill. The color is jade green and yields a liquor which is pale yellow.Chun Mee green tea is known for its plum-like sweetness and smoothness. This special grade yields a more smooth and complex tasting tea than the standard grades Emerald Petals is grown in Lu'An county located in the Dabie Mountains of Western Anhui province.Emerald Petals is known as "LU AN GUA PIAN" in Chinese and is one of the "Ten Famous Teas" of China. Emerald Petals has a largish flat & broad, emerald green leaf, which produces a generously flavoured & coloured beverage with a refreshing, slightly floral aroma. Emerald Petals may be drunk with food or at any time during the day. It is a very good value yet high quality green tea.

Huoshan Yellow Sprouting in know in China as "HUO SHAN HUANG YA".This rare green tea (In China,it is taken as a yellow tea)comes from southwest Anhui province.It is grown in the Huo Mountains in an environment of pure air and water. Huoshan Yellow Sprouting is a revelation, exhibiting a strong lychee (wine gum like) aroma in the dry leaf with a decidedly rich & complex flavour in the beverage. It brews a golden liquor with astringent aftertaste.

Gunpowder tea is so-called because it is rolled into small balls, reminding someone of old-time gunpowder. Some of our customers have asked, is all gunpowder hand rolled? According to The Tea Man, it depends on the gunpowder. The higher quality grades are hand rolled. Other, lower end gunpowders are machine rolled. However, a caveat: where labor is cheaper than machinery, it is hand rolled. How to tell the difference? The difference in flavor is remarkable. Since hand rolled generally represents a higher quality, the flavor is much more subtle, not at all harsh; very smooth foretaste and long, long delightful aftertaste. Hand rolled has a more grayish appearance and is of a smaller (pinhead) size, since it is usually composed of only the first three leaves. The higher the quality (and price), the smaller the pinhead size. Imperial Gunpowder is the largest, often 1/4 to 3/8 inch in diameter. Pinhead is actually a grading and is 3/16 to as small as 1/6 inch in diameter. The larger the size, the looser the roll. The looser the roll, the larger the leaf. The larger the leaf, the lower the leaf position on the branch leg. The lower the leaf position, the older the leaf. The older the leaf, the harsher the flavor. The harsher the flavor, the less expensive the tea. The less expensive the tea, the more common the tea is.


Gunpowder green (called "Zhucha" in China) - also known as "pearl" tea, Gunpowder green is produced in the Ning Bo region of China. These tightly rolled balls of leaves resemble gunpowder pellets. This state allows gunpowder tea to be kept longer than most other greens. Once infused in water, leaves unfurl to give a strong, slightly pungent flavor with a long aftertaste. Color is a coppery green. Gunpowder is said to be high in fluoride.