The goodness of green tea are endless. Discovered by the Chinese over 4000 years ago, it has used to treat a variety of ailments from headaches to depression as well as lowering the chances of heart diseases. Among the many countries that produce green tea are China, South Korea, Middle East and most famously from Japan. Green tea is also known to help you maintain that svelte figure you’ve always wanted but its not the green tea itself that increases your metabolic rate but an extract containing polyphenols and caffeine that will stimulate fat oxidation and boost your metabolic rate by 4% without increasing your heart rate.
A glass of green tea is also known to have the same amount of flavonoids (anti-oxidants and anti-carcinogenic ingredients) as other food and drinks such as fresh fruits, vegetables and wine. All this for a fraction of the price! However the slightly bitter and bland green tea flavour isn’t exactly everyone’s cup of tea. There are many ingredients which you can pop into your tea to make it taste a whole lot better but did you know that by adding sugar you actually neutralize the medicinal properties of tea and adding milk adds unwanted calories?
Here are some simple spices you can get to give your green tea that extra oomph!
Cloves
Often used in Bryani Rice, this little spice adds a peppery flavour that’s sure to perk you up. Add a few cloves to your hot tea and let it soak for few minutes until your tea cools down.
Bay Leaves
If you’re having a flu, adding bay leaves (also used in spaghetti sauces) to your green tea will rid it. You can choose to only drink it when you get a flu or every other day to prevent minor infections. After all, prevention is better than cure.
Cinnamon
The scent of cinnamon is uniquely sweet and is often used in food such as cakes, curries, soups, sweets and drinks. A little bit of cinnamon be it in powder or strip form will make a huge difference to your green tea. The blend of these two ingredients are indeed a match made in heaven. It also has antiviral properties to keep infections at bay.
Lemon
Lemon tea is hands down one of the most popular cool drinks and why use them in your conventional black teas when you can add them to green ones and enjoy triple the goodness? In fact, you can add cinnamon, fresh honey and some lemon to your green tea for a refreshing drink be it served hot or cold.
Ginger Extract
Ginger is also known to cure hangovers and minor flus, so if you’re looking to rid either one, boil some freshly sliced ginger along with green tea. Best served piping hot!
Most people don’t opt for green tea unless they’re dining in a Japanese restaurant just to fit in the atmosphere but really, you can easily purchase sachets of green tea that come in boxes or 20 to 30 at your local grocery stores at a minimum of RM3.50 per box! Drinking green tea regularly whether using dried leaves or tea bags can do wonders to your health in the long run and these are benefits you’ll actually be able to see for yourself. You’ll feel more energized, you’ll lose weight and at the same time clear the toxins from your body. Go green today!
