GREEN TEAPopular in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years, green tea has been shown to have significant medicinal as well as therapeutic properties. Like the black tea more familiar in Western countries, green tea comes from the Canekkua sinensis plant. The difference between black and green teas lies in their processing. Black tea is fermented, whereas green tea, which is prepared from steamed, dried leaves, is not allowed to ferment. Also, some types of green tea are lightly roasted. The minimal processing helps retain the tea's green color, gives it a flowery aroma and fresh flavor and also preserves the active ingredients that produce the tea's health benefits. Green tea may help prevent tooth decay, high blood pressure, heart disease and several forms of cancer. It also invigorates the body and improves concentration.

PREPARATION OF THE TEA: Place 1 rounded tsp. of tea leaves per cup in a teapot. Heat the water until it is simmering (160 F); cool briefly (vigorously boiling water can destroy the tea's gentle flavor). Pour the water over the tea leaves; cover the pot. For a mild flavor, let the pot stand 2-3 min.; for a stronger flavor, steep for 4-6 min. WARNING: Contains high caffenine content.

THERAPEUTIC EFFECT: All tea leaves contain caffeine, tannins, essential oils, polyphenols, vitamins, minerals and trace elements (such as fluoride). Green tea has many health benefits. It is an anti-inflammatory, lowers blood choesterol levels, has a beneficial effect on the circulation and liver, protects against tooth decay and detoxifies the blood.

THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT CAFFEINE: While green tea is highly touted for its health benefits, it does contain a high level of caffeine. Depending on how long it brews, a 6-oz. cup of green tea has 10-50 mg. of caffeine. While this stimulant improves concentration and boosts alertness, it also increases the heart rate and could keep you from getting a good night's rest.

THE TRACE ELEMENT FLUORIDE: The flouride found in green tea hardens tooth enamel and makes teeth more resistant to decay. Do not give tea to infants, however, because it may inhibit iron metabolism.

TAKE CARE: Too much caffeine can increase your heart rate, restlessness and insomnia. To lower the caffeine content of green tea, pour a little water over the leaves prior to infusion and strain the water off after 30 seconds. Then prepare the tea as usual.

COMMON TYPES OF GREEN TEA:

JAPAN HAS:

SENCHA: This is the most widely consumed tea in Japan and is also probably the most common Japanese tea available today.

BANCHA: A low-caffeine variety, this tea is similar in appearance to sencha, but has a less bitter flavor.

INDIA HAS:

GREEN ASSAM: This tea comes from the Assam plateau, the largest tea-growing district in the world. Only a small amount of the tea from this area is used to produce green tea.

GREEN DARJEELING: Grown on the southern slopes of the Himalaya Mountains, green Darjeeling tea is especially gentle on the body because of the minimal processing.

CHINA HAS:

GUNPOWDER: The leaves are tightly rolled into pellets that resemble buckshot. They unfurl once steeped in water.

JASMINE TEA: A slightly fermented, flowery tea produced from genuine jasmine flowers. Some varieties are combinations of green and black teas.

INDICATIONS:

FOR MENOPAUSE: Vitamin and mineral needs increase during menopause. Daily consumption of green tea can supply women with the extra nutrients.

GIVING UP COFFEE: If you are trying to refrain from that daily java, consider switching to green tea. It has a smokey and bitter flavor that coffee drinkers enjoy and the caffeine content, which is less than coffee, will keep away the caffeine-withdrawal headaches.

FOR ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE: Cold green tea is an ideal thirst-quencher. Its stimulating effect and high concentration of vital substances increase mental and physical performance during exercise.

FOR FASTING AND DETOXIFICATION: Known in China as a "fat-melter" because of its cholesterol-lowering effects, green tea contains no calories and is a recommended nutritional supplement.

CANCER PREVENTION: According to scientific studies, compounds called polyphenols in green tea may inhibit the growth of cancer cells and the development of tumors. The benefit of these compounds is generally attributed to their antioxidant activity. Several cups of green tea per day are needed to enjoy this benefit.