Benefits of Green Tea

The Tea India range is full of teas from all the regions of India, each an homage to our motherland. From rich and creamy chai to herbal wellness teas to single-estate regional teas, we set out to create a family of teas for everyone.

We have black teas and herbal teas, but the jewel of our family is Kashmiri Kahwa, our green tea. It’s not your typical green tea. Sweetened with cinnamon and cardamom and blended with rose petals, it’s a delicate, warming blend with tea leaves grown in the southern Nilgiri region of India. Kahwa is a popular drink in the norther Kashmir region – thought to have reached the region from China through the silk and spice routes thousands of years ago, when merchant travellers visited the Khushan empire. Today, it’s a staple drink in Kashmir, where the winters can get blustery and people warm themselves with sips of Kahwa poured from samovars.

While green tea and black tea both come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, green tea is green because of its unoxidised nature. It has been around for thousands of years, originally used for medicinal purposes and eventually for drunk for pleasure. Today, even though people around the world drink green tea for taste, many also drink it for the potential health benefits the drink may have.

As an homage to the beautiful region of Kashmir, our master tea blender decided to create a Kashmiri Kahwa in our range of teas. It’s a delicious blend in biodegradable packaging. The aromatic tea with cinnamon, cardamom, and rose is transporting. Even if you have never been to Kashmir, this tea will whisk you away to the crystal clear lakes and busy bazaars of this northern mountainous region.

However, Kahwa – and any green tea – are more than just delicious teas to drink at any time of the day. Green tea has a tremendous amount of potential benefits for your health as well. Studies have shown that green tea is a healthy drink to consume everyday, providing you with antioxidants and acting as a potential mental stimulant and fat burn booster. Below we dive into the details of how green tea can help you.

ANTIOXIDANTS AND POLYPHENOLS*

Antioxidants are naturally-occurring in our bodies and found in certain fruits and vegetables. Their role is significant – they help to fight the unstable molecules that are associated with illnesses like diabetes, cancer, and heart diseases and they cause harm on the cellular level. They also help prevent the oxidative damage that is thought to play a role in certain cancers. Antioxidants can be found in green tea, berries, and coffee.

Green tea specifically contains flavonoids, a type of powerful antioxidant known to help the body fight illness by protecting cells from damage and inhibiting unstable molecules (free radicals).

MENTAL STIMULANT*

Did you know green tea contains caffeine? That’s a surprise to a lot of people, but green tea is a caffeinated tea – just not as caffeinated as black tea. It’s a nice middle ground: just enough caffeine to make you feel alert, but not as much caffeine as black tea or coffee, which can make some people feel jittery. Studies show that caffeine can help boost cognitive performance and lift your mood.

On top of caffeine, green tea also contains an amino acid that is known to help inhibit the effects of anxiety, which may help boost cognitive function and ability to focus.

HELP PREVENT THE EFFECTS OF AGING*

Green tea contains catechins (a flavonoid, a type of antioxidant mentioned above) that are thought to help prevent the same neuron damage that is associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Tea polyphenols and antioxidants in green tea may also have neuroprotective effects that can help the brain fight Parkinson’s disease, though studies are ongoing.

HELP REDUCE THE CHANCES OF TYPE 2 DIABETES*

Type 2 diabetes is associated with insulin resistance, and there are some studies that show that green tea may help increase insulin sensitivity, thus reducing the chance of being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

HELP PREVENT HEART DISEASE*

Some studies suggest that, by helping to improve cholesterol levels, green tea may play a role in helping to prevent certain heart diseases. Through green tea’s antioxidants, it may also help to prevent oxidation of cholesterol particles, which in turn may help lower the risk of heart disease.

DIVE INTO THE WORLD OF GREEN TEA*

There are so many green teas available – plain green tea, green tea with lemon, matcha, gunpowder green tea. We wanted to make something a little different – something that would be a beautiful homage to India, our motherland. That’s exactly what our Kashmiri Kahwa is. It is a tea that reminds us of the chill from the mountains, the glacial lakes and clear streams and lush green forests of the north. The harsh weather in the region is one of the reasons Kahwa is such a popular drink among the Kashmiri people – it’s a hot cup with cinnamon and cardamom that heats you from the inside, and the rose petals are reminiscent of summer. In fact, many in the region brew their Kahwa and then add pistachios, almonds, walnuts, cashew nuts, and other toppings. The result is a hot and heart brew meant to thaw anyone who drinks it in the middle of winter.

The authentic way to drink Kahwa is by pouring the brew into a samovar and then serving it in tiny cups. If you have visitors, typically a sprinkle of rich and expensive saffron on top is the most welcoming way to greet guests. If you don’t have a samovar (and most of us do not), that’s alright – a regular tea pot and cup will do!

Try Tea India Kashmiri Kahwa

*Disclaimer

As with any food or beverage, the health benefits or health “claims” are not certain. While there are numerous studies on the health benefits of green tea, we cannot advise you on any medical impact of our product. Please consult your physician for further information.