People are aware of the benefits of green tea. Many of them choose not to drink it though because it has caffein. They have the option to go with the decaf green tea but they prefer not to because of its lack of beneficial compounds. However that isn't true. The EGCG was found in the same amount for both kinds of tea.

Probably if we all have a clear understanding on how decaf green tea differs from regular green tea, then going for de decaf will definitely be an option. Let's see in the following how it works!

There are two methods used to extract the caffein. The first one is a natural process that uses water and carbon dioxide. The second method uses ethyl acetate and retains 30% of the polyphenols. What happens in both cases can be more or less associated with the image of green tea in a white cup and little black dots dropped on the bottom. So looking back, it is best to pick up the decaf green tea that has method number one inscribed on the label.

Technically speaking we are able to find somewhere between 15mg - 30mg of caffein in each cup of tea. This is more than enough to produce stimulant effects to the central nervous system. Some people consider green tea to be authentic only when it has that bitterness in it. That taste can not be found though in decaf green tea.

Just as I was recalling the black small dots earlier it reminds me that you can follow a very simple process to obtain your own decaf green tea. Just steep for 45 seconds in hot water your tea or tea bag and then pour off the liquid. Do that once more and there you have it. You can now prepare your tea the normal way and enjoy a homemade decaf green tea. The first infusion takes out around 80% of the caffeine, so by the time you do your second, a very small quantity of caffeine will be left for you to drink.

Many good things can come with drinking decaf green tea. The main one is for sure enjoying its benefits without caffeine.

In the end decaf green tea has the same benefits as regular one, so just enjoy.

Learn more about green tea and weight loss. Stop by Green Tea And Weight Loss Blog where you can find out all about decaf green tea and what it can do for you.

Posted under Tea

Seems too easy, right? Drink a few mugs of wu yi tea and lose weight without effort? I did not believe it either and then something peculiar happened over the holiday season.

First, you should know that I am usually pretty careful about what I eat. As well, I am one of those strange people who like to run on the treadmill. However, I am partial to Mexican food and margarita, neither of which are good for weight loss or fat burning. I also tend to get off track of my workouts when life becomes too busy, as in the holiday season!

Two weeks into January and I am no longer wearing my skinny jeans. I am in my "fat clothes" so I feel comfortable. Not this season, though. Keep reading to find out why.

A friend of mine had given me a box of wu yi tea to try. I love tea and drink it iced all day long. So, I just threw a handful of these bags in my pitcher of iced tea, brewed it along with the black tea and it was pretty tasty. I know it is supposed to be for weight loss, but I did not really think it would work.

For now, I had shopping to tend to and gifts to wrap. And of course, all the holiday parties with eggnog martinis, canopies, lobster tails dripping with butter, prime rib and all the yummy holiday desserts. I had no time to workout with such a crazy schedule.

About mid January, I braved the scale. The odd thing was I had not really noticed my jeans getting any tighter, but I was sure I had to have gained some weight pigging out on all that food and not working out.

I was literally shocked! Not only had I NOT gained any weight, I had lost 3 pounds. I panicked for a second thinking, uh-oh, maybe something is wrong with me. Then I remembered the wu yi tea. I looked at the box again and saw that it also had wu yi tea extract. This sort of super-charges wu yi tea's ability to help you lose weight.

Still not convinced, I did a little test. I stopped using the wu yi tea in my iced tea and went back to just black tea. I did not eat cheesecake (kind of tired of it), nor did I pig out. I ate around the amount of calories one would consume to maintain their current weight. I did not work out.

After a month, I had gained the three pounds back. So, you decide. Will a few mugs of wu yi tea help you lose weight without effort? Probably not if you intend to continue eating too much and not working out (eventually, your body would adjust). But I sure did not mind the boost wu yi tea gave me!

Can you really lose weight with wu yi tea? Go there now and discover how to lose those all those extra pounds with wu yi green tea!

Posted under Tea

The history of tea may possibly date back to 2737 B.C. The commonly held story in China states that the emperor Sheng-nung discovered green tea accidentally while boiling water near a tea plant. Some of the leaves fell into the water and the emperor liked the taste!

Green tea has become one of the most well researched natural foods. There has actually been over 1000 studies conducted with green tea to find evidence of its health-promoting properties. The research has found that green tea contains powerful antioxidants called catechins that are very powerful in protecting us from oxidative stress.

Even though Britain, by far, is the most famous tea drinking country in the west, the Dutch are actually attributed with being the first nation to export tea to the west. The Dutch East India Company sent the first shipment of tea to Europe in 1606. It was a big hit, so by 1610 the Dutch were shipping tea back home on a regular basis.

The other common story is of prince Siddhartha during the 6th century. After denouncing his claim to the throne, Siddhartha vowed to meditate for nine years without sleep. Five years into his vow he became a little drowsy and was drawn to chew the leaves of the Camellia sinesis plant, finding that it helped him become alert.

Siddhartha carried the leaves and seeds with him throughout his travels, eventually bringing them to Japan. The monks there embraced the tea and also used it for their meditation practices to help keep them focused. Eventually this practice of drinking green tea became an art in Japan, evolving into the famous Japanese tea ceremony.

As a result of the Dutch exports, the first teas served up in Britain were done so at coffee houses - at very expensive prices! The popularity of tea in Britain didn't begin until they started receiving exports from the East India Company in the 18th century. This popularity grew even more during the British Colonization of India in 1858, when exports of tea increased further.

It was also the Dutch that introduced tea to the US. Dutch settlers brought tea with them to a colony once called New Amsterdam around 1650, where it became a very popular drink. Dutch trade of tea also expanded to the US by this time, ensuring the supply of tea for the New Amsterdam residents.

These catechins are not just powerful antioxidants, but can also aid weight loss. Many studies show that catechins can somehow speed up our metabolism. One Japanese study suggests that in high doses, green tea can burn as much as an extra 70-80 calories per day!

Joseph Edwards enjoys writing about and drinking tea, especially green tea! He is also an advocate of green living, and, well, all things green! For more information about green tea visit Benefits of Drinking Green Tea .

Posted under Tea