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Green tea

Perfect body? Training, healthy food and green tea!

Origin

Tea was discovered 50 thousands years ago, and the only variety available was the green one. Spread in southwest China, it was chewed and eaten as coffee beans were in North Africa – only after did it start to be drunk as an infusion. Both green and black tea come from Camelia Sinensis. But the leaves of the second are subject to fermentation while the first ones are subject to two different kind of processes which, through steam or heat, block the natural process of enzymatic oxidation, preserving some properties and the characteristic color. The green one is the variety that is used in China and Japan the most, the same places in which it is produced. Although black tea is the most consumed all over the world, for some time now the green one has been regaining popularity again thanks to its properties and benefits.

Cook It

To prepare a real green tea, you need to be a little bit clever. Water must be between 70 and 85 degrees: you will find out that you have to turn off the heat when you see little bubbles coming up. The right quantity is a teaspoon per person, and once placed for infusion, it needs to stay so for at least 2/3 minutes up to a maximum of 10. Green tea can be used in the kitchen instead of water. For example, ever used it to prepare risotto with asparagus and shiitake mushrooms? Or to cook a steamed sea bream? An oriental taste, very delicate! There are more than 130 varieties of green tea.

Did you know

Green tea is known for its properties and benefits. It’s used if you are on a slimming diet, because it is tonic, diuretic, draining and is able to burn fats. Also, it contains a high amount of antioxidants that slow down the natural aging of the cells and helps the organism regulate cholesterol in the blood. But there is more… people use it for oral hygiene and as protection against UV rays, so don’t avoid using it during summer! Even because it can be drunk fresh or it can be used to prepare delicious sorbets. But if you are often nervous, it’s better not to exaggerate.

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