Japanese Longevity Tea: How To Choose The Right Variety For Health And Beauty

For 35 years Japan has not been inferior to positions in the world ranking of centenarians. Thus, the average life expectancy for Japanese men is 81 years, for women - 87 years, and the president of the Japanese National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Hidenori Arai, calls those under 70 years old "young people."

The secret of active longevity of the Japanese is good habits, the main of which is the regular consumption of tea. Julia Angel, President of the international corporation ENHEL Group and founder of the innovative clinic of Russia ENHEL Wellness SpDome, helped us to understand the most effective formulations of this drink, which help to fight age-related changes. In her professional career, Julia has learned a lot from the philosophy and lifestyle of the Japanese and has successfully introduced the best Japanese technologies into her designs.

Emperors' Choice

Many people know that the tea ceremony in Japan is a separate art form. The Japanese have long known the beneficial properties of tea: for them, drinking it is a traditional ritual and an act of self-care.

When you first visit Japanese tea plantations, you will discover an incredible variety of flavors and varieties, and the reverent attitude of the Japanese towards growing and harvesting tea is amazing. At a tea plantation in Shizuoka Prefecture, the tradition of producing selective tea for the imperial family has been preserved for over 150 years - a clear indication of how sacred the tea tradition is for the Japanese.

What is so special about Japanese tea?

First of all, it is a manual, literally jewelry-making process of collecting and drying. First, young sprouts of the most valuable green tea are selected, since the young leaves contain the greatest amount of vitamins and anti-age substances. Tea leaves are rolled into the thinnest strips, which allows all active components to be removed from them to the surface. Due to this, when brewing Japanese tea, the beneficial micro and macro elements contained in it enter the water almost instantly.

After drying, tea is stored at a temperature of -10 ° C for three months, which allows you to preserve all the beneficial properties. Over the next three months, the storage temperature rises to + 5 ° C. Upon completion of this unique storage method, Japanese tea goes through a complex process and is prepared for sale.

Another factor that determines the usefulness of the composition is the climate that is unique for each region. For example, in Shizuoka Prefecture, the weather conditions are quite harsh: average temperatures are low, there is little sunlight, plus the proximity of the ocean affects. Thanks to this combination of climatic factors, the tea is very versatile in taste.

The tea harvesting period plays a special role. The ideal time is considered the end of April - beginning of May, when the leaves reach the optimal moment for ripening and retain their most beneficial properties.

Which tea to choose?

Japanese tea varieties differ not only in taste, but also in their effect on the body. The tea ceremony itself gives a lot of pleasure and positive emotions and teaches one of the most useful Japanese habits - to live in the moment, to concentrate on the "here and now": the temperature of the water, the aroma of tea and its taste, that is, it practically teaches meditation.

Sencha (green Japanese tea)

Unlike other green teas, sencha is not roasted, but steamed. Short-term steaming lasts no more than a minute - this time is enough for preservation, while the beneficial components of the tea are completely preserved.

Regular consumption of sencha helps to slow down the aging process, normalize metabolic processes, and improve digestion. Sencha also helps to get rid of chronic puffiness (see also: "Osteopath's advice: how to remove swelling on the face (video)").

This variety of green tea often contains additional components that enhance its beneficial effects. For example, sencha with calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iodine, potassium, fluorine, copper, vitamin C is already an antioxidant drink of youth and beauty. To normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract and metabolism, experts recommend brewing sencha, enriched with lactobacilli, before bedtime.

Genmaicha

This is perhaps one of the most unusual teas in the world based on traditional recipes from ancient Japan. Its exoticism comes from the addition of Uruchigome fried brown friable rice to a blend of green Sencha teas.

An ideal choice for those who want to stay beautiful, healthy and slim. For its ability to reduce appetite, tea got its second name - "Geisha's Breakfast". This tea removes toxins, strengthens the immune system, promotes weight loss and improves the overall tone of the body.

Rooibos (black tea)

In 1980, American and Japanese scientists discovered superoxide dismutase in this tea, which is a powerful antioxidant and effectively fights free radicals (one of the main factors in the development of cancer). Research has confirmed the unique benefits of rooibos tea in reducing itching, eczema and allergies.

Rooibos also has a general calming effect on the nervous system, lowers blood pressure, and is extremely effective for insomnia and sleep disorders. It has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, bone tissue and the digestive tract system. Rooibos is ideal for breakfast - it effectively relieves dullness, invigorates and energizes for the whole day (see also: “Warm Up and Invigorate: 5 Unusual Spice Tea Recipes”).