Functional Benefits of Green Tea

Green tea contains the amino acid L-theanine which can be used for its potential calming and de-stressing effects.

There is some evidence to support additional claims around the benefits of L-theanine to help support mental focus, sleep quality, and immune system support. While many products add L-theanine to their ingredient list, green tea is a more natural source of L-theanine.

Green tea also typically contains caffeine. Evidence for caffeine’s health benefits is well supported. Studies have shown that caffeine can support cognitive function and metabolism.

Green tea may serve as a good alternative to coffee for those who get headaches and increased anxiety from high amounts of caffeine. Generally green tea contains 20–60mg of caffeine compared to 80–100mg commonly found in coffee.

Many health benefits of green tea are science-backed and/or clinically tested, while others will require more study. Regardless, green tea is commonly perceived as a beneficial beverage due to long-held remedies making this a trending drink among consumers of all ages.

Trending Green Tea Varieties

Matcha

Matcha is an extremely popular green tea variety, with entire cafes devoted to serving it. Unlike your usual tea varieties, matcha is consumed as a powder of ground tea leaves. The powder is whisked with hot water and typically mixed with milk and served as a latte due to its strong taste.

Matcha comes from the same plant (Camellia sinensis) as other green tea varieties, but is cultivated a bit differently. The plant is shaded from sunlight so it produces more amino acids such as L-theanine. After harvesting, the leaves are ground into a fine powder.

Since matcha is consumed in a more concentrated form, rather than leaves steeped in hot water as other varieties are, more of the nutrients are consumed in a single serving.

We’re seeing matcha show up in more than just beverages and tea. From baked goods to soft serve, matcha is certainly the most buzz-worthy green tea variety!

In a recent New York Times article, Dr. Frank Hu, a professor of nutrition and epidemiology and chair of the department of nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health stated, “If you develop a habit of regular matcha consumption, in the long run you may get some health benefit… But if you just sprinkle some matcha powder on top of chocolate ice cream, then I don’t think it will do much to help.”

While matcha-flavored everything is trending now, health-conscious consumers will continue to purchase truly healthy matcha-infused products for years to come.

We have a number of matcha tea powder varieties and accessories available to meet your product development needs, including ceremonial grade, certified organic and certified fair trade.

Matcha cream puffs recipe from TheLittleEpicurean.com

Matcha soft serve ice cream from matcha cafe Holy Matcha in San Diego, California.

Sencha Leaf Tea

Sencha is a type of Japanese green tea that is made from the most fresh and young leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The leaves are

harvested in early summer then steamed, twisted, and dried. While fresh and bright, its flavor is herbal and bittersweet, with a hint of an ocean breeze and a clean finish.

Sencha was first brought to Japan from China in the 17th century, and it has been a beloved part of Japanese tea culture ever since. The most popular green tea in Japan, sencha will give you rich, earthy, herbal flavors, and a small caffeine boost. Plus, count on plenty of antioxidant and immune-boosting benefits.*

Try our Organic Sencha Leaf Tea,Organic and Fair Trade Sencha Leaf Tea, or Decaffeinated Organic Sencha Leaf Tea.

“Always fresh with a nice green color. I love it and so do my customers. I add flavor sometimes and it works great for blends.”

–Starwest Customer Ashley S.

Functional Green Tea Blends Our functional teas are a blend of our premium quality herbs and spices formulated for specific needs, reflected in their names. Each herb complements the others in our formulas, and together they form a strong coalition to support the body’s quest for health.

Energy Adjustment Tea

Our Energy Adjustment tea blend contains or ganic young hyson tea, organic eleuthero root, organic schisandra berry, organic ginkgo leaf, organic gotu kola, organic licorice root, and organic ginger root. This invigorating green tea can be enjoyed throughout the day to support energy and well-being.

Calming Rest Tea

Our Calming Rest tea blend contains organic chamomile, organic peppermint, organic sencha leaf green tea decaffeinated, organic skullcap herb, organic wood betony, organic catnip herb, and organic stevia leaf. This caffeine free tea is perfect to enjoy before bed.