JOIN USTea lovers and the health conscious it appears, have finally acknowledged and woken up to the goodnesses of green tea. A research conducted by Maven Magnet concluded that Indians love green tea today more than ever.
The result was based on an analysis of over 9000 conversations from the social media space in the past one year. And, it came out that 78 per cent Indians have a positive take on green tea with the Southern region topping the list. The flavours, however, vary on the basis of region.
Ice cool it, brew it with fruits or serve it piping hot – green tea emergess a winner. Best enjoyed without milk and sugar, green tea does wonders even when simply brewed in boiling water. For those who are not so calorie conscious, a small dollop of cream should do.
Tata Global Beverages, which analysed the research, informs that north Indians relish and rely on green tea with lemonade while amla ginger tea works best in searing summer of the Southern region. The Eastrners enjoy mango flavoured green tea while central India beats the heat with jaljeera flavoured green tea. As for the West, it experiences green tea with aloe vera flavour.
Green tea leaves undergo minimal oxidation process. The antioxidants, therefore, in green tea prevent damage to healthy cells and tissues caused by harmful UV rays.
Dr Karuna Malhotra, a homeopath physician, says: “Oligomeric proanthocyanidins is one of the most powerful antioxidants found in nature and the high levels of the same are present in green tea. It helps in slowing down the premature ageing process thus leaving your skin youthful.”
“It also reduces blood fat while detoxifying the body and suppressing untimely food
cravings,” she adds.
The flavours preferred work best as per the weather conditions of these regions. Living in the hot plains of the north India is no less than a challenge given the extreme weather conditions. With this, come problems like heat strokes, nausea and acute dehydration.
While colas provide temporary relief from the heat they are high on unhealthy acids sugar content that do more harm than good. Green tea comes as a relief as it contains antioxidants that help in coping dehydration better.
The south essentially experiences a tropical climate . The hot and humid climate makes one sweat, lowering down the water content in body. Amla tea is good for summer season as amla berries are a natural source of Vitamin C, which helps in building immunity system and improves resistance of the body.
Summer in central India is hot, dry, and windy where temperatures easily touch above 40 degrees and plus. The cooling properties of green tea with jaljeera flavour work great against the temperature of the region.
East India blends the benefits of unripe mangoes with the goodness of green tea. Mangoes with green tea extract help in replenishing essential body nutrients and salts along with improving body’s metabolic rate.
Vikram Grover, Vice President (Marketing), Tata Global Beverages, says: “This survey helps us in understanding that green tea has been positively spoken about and people are adopting the habit of drinking it for wellness purpose. It means it is no longer viewed as a lifestyle beverage. So when you have an interesting blend of health and taste, there’s
no excuse.”