BONJAPAN STATION GREEN TEAS

Genmaicha

Genmaicha (玄米茶^?, “brown rice tea”) is the Japanese name for green tea combined with roastedbrown rice.^[1] It is sometimes referred to colloquially as “popcorn tea” because a few grains of the rice pop during the roasting process and resemble popcorn. This type of tea was originally drunk by poor Japanese, as the rice served as a filler and reduced the price of the tea.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genmaicha

Genmaicha has a typical sweetness with a light scent and pleasant aroma. It contains vitamin B and has less caffeine which makes it a safe drink for those individuals who are caffeine sensitive. The health benefits that one get from Genmaicha tea come from flavonoids and antioxidants that are naturally abundant in the plant called camellia sinensis where all types of green tea come from.

Health Benefits

1. Antioxidant Property – A tea is never a healthy drink without its famous content of antioxidants. Even though Genmaicha tea has a small amount of brown rice that gives it its distinctive flavor, it retains all the benefits found in other green tea and one of them is the antioxidant property. It helps improve the immune system, detoxifies the liver and protects cells from damaging. Antioxidants help cleanse the body from toxic materials.

2. Lower Risk of Cancer – A study reveals that catechins present in Genmaicha tea can restrain mestasis or the spread of tumor cells.

3. Weight Loss – If you are longing to lose some excess weight, consumption of tea will help you achieve it. A study shows that green tea like Genmaicha has the ability to enhance the burning of fats two hours after ingesting it in the body. It is recommended that you drink two to three cups everyday.

4. Relaxing and Calming Effects – Tea contains calming effects on the brain. An amino acid known as Theanine, which can affect the brain’s neurotransmitters is helpful in increasing the activities of the brain allowing the person drinking the tea to feel relaxed but alert at the same time.

5. Joint and Bone Health – Frequent drinking of Genmaicha tea can improve join and bone health that is why this type of tea is a typical choice for people suffering from rheumatism or arthritis.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5453040

Hōjicha (Houjicha)

Hojicha (ほうじ茶^?) is a Japanese green tea^{[citation needed]} that is distinguished from others because it is roasted in a porcelain pot over charcoal; Japanese tea is usually steamed. The tea is fired at high temperature, altering the leaf colour tints from green to reddish-brown. The process was first performed in Kyoto, Japan in the 1920s and its popularity persists today.

Hōjicha is often made from bancha (番茶, “common tea”),^[1] tea from the last harvest of the season, however other varieties of Hōjicha also exist, including a variety made from sencha, and Kukicha, tea made from the twigs of the tea plant rather than the leaves.

Hōjicha infusions have a light- to reddish-brown appearance, and are less astringent due to losing catechins^[2] during the high temperature roasting process. The roasted flavours are extracted and predominate this blend: the roasting replaces the vegetative tones of standard green tea with a toasty, slightly caramel-like flavour. The roasting process used to make Hōjicha lowers the amount of caffeine in the tea. Because of its mildness, Hōjicha is a popular tea to serve during the meal or after the evening meal before going to sleep and even preferred for children and elderly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hojicha

The following are the health benefits attributed to hojicha tea:

• Hojicha tea may help enhance the immune system. It may thus help in the fight against diseases caused by viruses and bacteria.
• Hojicha tea may help protect against cardiovascular diseases.
• Hojicha tea may help protect against cancer and tumors.
• Hojicha tea may help in weight loss.
• Hojicha tea may help tooth decay.
• Hojicha tea may help usher in relaxation.
• Hojicha tea may help in the maintenance of overall well-being.

http://www.teabenefits.com/green-tea-benefits/hojicha-tea-benefits.html

Green tea catechin content of tea seed methylation [rare] tea leaves should use to Fukiru

Anti-bacterial action

The moment you put catechin into your mouth, it starts to work. Because of its sterilizing effect, it prevents viral infections, like the flu. In addition to that, it fights bacteria in the stomach to protect you from food poisoning. At sushi bars, green tea is served after the meal for this reason.

But what about the good bacteria in the intestine? Does catechin kill them, too? Amazingly, catechin manages to fight deadly bacteria and inhibits the growth of putrefactive bacteria without harming the friendly bacteria. This actually leads to the stimulation of the immune system in the body.

Lowering the risk of heart disease

An injury to the artery wall begins the process of plaque build-up by forming an obstruction in the blood stream. When the artery wall is attacked by free radicals (oxidized), LDL (also known as bad cholesterol) becomes irritating to the artery wall and can actually wound it.

Catechin, with its antioxidant effect, fights these free radicals that encourage arterial buildup. On top of that, catechin has more functions, for example, stopping the platelets from forming clots, lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol levels, and reducing stress, all of which ensure your heart and cardiovascular system stay healthy.

Defending against cancer

It is well known that citizens of some prefectures, like Shizuoka, where people have a lot of green tea in their daily life, have lower rates of cancer than residents of any other region in Japan.

Catechin’s antioxidant effect protects us against cancers, preventing free radicals from attacking the body cells. The catechins are not the only antioxidants found in green tea. Vitamin A, C, and E all have similar effects against cancers.

Catechin also has more benefits, like anti-acid action, blood sugar regulating action, and anti-allergy action. Even the most expensive medicines never had so many functions. More than simply a tasty, soothing beverage, green tea should be nominated as “the tasty medicine of the century”.

Can we really lose weight?

The green tea business is also booming in part because of recent claims that you can lose weight. Is this true?

A recent study has shown that daily catechin intake (588mg of catechin for 12 weeks) can reduce weight, especially body fat. But you may wonder how it works and how much weight we can lose.

With the daily intake of catechin, we can increase fat consumption in the liver. This leads to the decrease in body fat. The study shows that we can consume about 100kcal of energy a day with the intake of 588mg of catechin, which equals 5 or 6 cups of green tea per day. However, it’s tough for us to take in such a huge amount of green tea every day. And if you try to take in a large amount of catechin in a cup of tea, it will be too bitter a way to drink. So that’s why bottled green tea has gotten popular.

http://www.healthhokkaido.com/files/Articles_Oshimi/greentea.cfm

Tea – green tea seed of our popular #1

Nutrition of whole tea leaves and seeds

Green Tea,” green tea’s beneficial effects on health have been acknowledged for centuries. With a unique harmony of sweet and astringent flavour, green tea contains rich natural nutrients that can work effectively on maintaining your health.

When activated oxygen increases beyond necessary in the body, which leads to a range of diseases and aging skin. Green tea contains Catechin (or Tannin, a bioflavonoid), Vitamin B, C, and E, which can work as antioxidants in the human body. Therefore, regular consumption of green tea helps you to prevent diseases and maintain your skin healthy.

It is widely known that too much cholesterol (especially LDL cholesterol) can block blood vessels, which may cause cardiac infarction (heart attack) and cerebral infarction (stroke). Catechin contained in Japanese green tea blocks the formation of LDL cholesterol and is helpful in preventing those serious diseases.

Another effect that Catechin in green tea brings us is its quality of reducing fat in your body. When consumed with food, Catechin reduces absorbing fat in the digestion process.

The bioflavonoids and fluoride contained in green tea help to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. You can gargle with green tea after brushing your teeth to kill germs and prevent bad breath. In addition, it is said that gargling with Japanese green tea can prevent influenza and the common cold and relieve those symptoms such as sore throat, cough, and nasal congestion.

Like black tea and coffee, green tea has much caffeine, which can cause nervousness or an over excited state. However, in the case of green tea, the effects appear differently on the human body because of an amino acid, Theanine, in green tea. Theanine reduces blood pressure and stimulates alpha brain waves, which are associated with a relaxed but alert mental state. As Theanine tempers the effects of caffeine, you can stay alert, refresh, and relax the mind with a cup of green tea.