Green tea pomegranate and blueberry

Pomegranate and blueberry green tea

The sweetness of Sencha green tea is enhanced with the fruit and pomegranate flower, giving a flavor made even more intense by the blueberry. The delicate nuances of other ingredients such as goji berries, lemongrass and cornflower flowers are added. Pomegranate and Blueberry Green Tea has a vibrant fruit aroma that is delicious in any season.

Properties and benefits

The specialty of green tea with pomegranate has been prepared for thousands of years to combine the healthy qualities of both ingredients. They contain nutrients and antioxidants, which are enhanced in this preparation with blueberry. Some benefits of green tea with pomegranate and blueberry are due to the fact that it is rich in antioxidants, substances that help the body fight and prevent cell aging.

They strengthen the immune system, and above all protect the heart. The active ingredients of pomegranate and the polyphenols of green tea, combined with a correct diet, help to counteract high blood pressure and "bad" cholesterol levels - low density lipoproteins (LDL). An advantage for the cardiovascular system also due to the protection from oxidative stress and irritation of the blood vessels, factors that help the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Tea can promote cardiovascular improvement, at the microcirculatory level, thanks to the properties of blueberry and pomegranate.
In particular, the anthocyanin antioxidants contained strengthen the capillaries and the walls of the blood vessels, as well as being excellent ingredients for the well-being of eyesight. For those wishing to lose weight, this green tea can promote diuresis and purification, counteracting water retention and swelling associated with cellulite. It also helps the urinary tract, with a detox effect that protects against irritation.
Moreover, thanks to the stimulation of the metabolism, the qualities of green tea and pomegranate can help improve the potential factor called "passive fat-burning". The polyphenolic compounds of green tea can be useful for weight control, as they promote fat oxidation and thermogenesis (the increase in body temperature due to fat burning.
Pomegranate is also a It is an important source of biomolecules that help speed up the metabolism and, thanks to the high sodium and potassium content, it helps eliminate excess fluids.For the digestive system, pomegranate and blueberry green tea helps improve digestion, soothe nausea and diarrhea.Among the properties of this infusion there is a support in the contrast of the inflammatory process that can occur during the digestion of yeasts or fermented substances.In terms of benefits for the skin, the antioxidants present in pomegranate and blueberry are a set of compounds that fight free radicals, a source of cellular aging, and which can contribute to the well-being of the skin.

Origins and History of cultivation

Sencha green tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, native to the mountainous areas of China, India and other countries. To produce this variety of Japanese green tea, according to the typical Japanese process, which began about 300 years ago. The leaves are grown directly in the sunlight and the leaves are harvested twice a year. They are steamed immediately after harvesting, to block oxidation, with a chemical process that causes browning.
Then the laborious rolling of the leaves takes place followed by drying. Green tea has been considered a medicinal remedy in China and Japan for thousands of years, to treat various ailments, mainly as a natural anti-inflammatory, tonic and digestive aid. Pomegranates have also been known for millennia, having been a symbol of abundance and fertility in various cultures, and consumed since 3.5000 BC. about. The tree is native to the Himalayas, areas of Iraq, Iran and Pakistan.
Today the pomegranate is grown in various subtropical countries, mainly in the Mediterranean regions with hot, dry summers. In addition to the dried fruits, the abundant and beneficial pomegranate flowers are also used in herbal medicine. The other ingredient is the blueberry, a typical fruit of the undergrowth of the northern mountains, which grows and gives an abundant production of fruit. It was known in the civilizations of Northern Europe since ancient times, and arrived in the Mediterranean areas only in the Middle Ages. It was highly appreciated as a purifying and astringent, and was also used in ancient times as a natural anti-inflammatory.

Plant and flowers

Sencha green tea derives from the Camellia sinensis plant (Theaceae family). It is an evergreen shrub, grown in tropical and subtropical climates, up to about 2,000 meters in height. The tree could even reach 9 meters in height, but it is pruned to about one and a half or two meters, to favor the new growth of the shoots and the manual collection of the leaves.The growth of the shrub occurs at different times, depending on the regions and the altitude.The foliage is abundant, and the young leaves are light green, then darken in maturity. The young shoots offer the most nutrients. The Camellia sinensis displays a yellow-white flower similar to a camellia.
It also gives a berry, whose seeds are pressed to obtain the tea oil.The pomegranate flower and fruit are derived from the small shrub Punica Granatum, which belongs to the Punicaceae family.The pomegranate tree grows up to 5 meters, with early flowering d the odorless but very colorful flowers – not all flowers do not develop into fruit.
The blueberry plant is the Vaccinium sect. Cyanococcus, a shrub that produces these berries with a bluish or purple hue. The shrubs can vary in size according to the varieties, from 10 centimeters to 4 meters in height in the North American variety. The species grows spontaneously between 900 and 1,800 meters, among the woods in Europe, and both wild and cultivated blueberries are found. The fruits are green initially, and then change color as they ripen. The plant prefers to grow on acidic and lime-free soils, with a cold and windy climate. The plant is related to similar shrubs, such as those that produce cranberries, bilberries, and Madeira blueberries.

Nutritional values of Pomegranate and blueberry green tea

The components of this green tea are mainly antioxidants and nutritional substances such as the amino acids theanine and arginine. Sencha tea makes available ascorbic acid (vitamin C), vitamin B, caffeic and chlorogenic acid, as well as alkaloids such as caffeine and theobromine. Contains catechin polyphenols (epigallocatechin-3-gallate EGCG, epigallocatechin EGC, epicatechin EC), and mineral salts (calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium). Pomegranate is an excellent source of fiber, potassium and vitamin C. It contains substances such as flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins and anthocyanins. Pomegranate flowers also donate elements such as gallic acid and chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin. Blueberry also contains antioxidant substances including anthocyanins, mineral salts such as potassium and calcium, vitamin C and Vitamin A.

How to prepare pomegranate and blueberry green tea

The infusion is obtained by placing in a cup (250 ml), about 3-5 grams of the mixture of pomegranate and blueberry green tea. Water at a temperature of 80 °C. Leave to infuse for 2 to 3 minutes, before drinking the green tea infusion.

Nutritional values of Pomegranate and blueberry green tea

Remember that excessive tea intake can cause some adverse effects, such as gastrointestinal disorders, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, excessive diuresis, stomach ulcers. Excessive consumption can have consequences related to theine (caffeine) in sensitive individuals, acting on the nervous system: insomnia, anxiety, agitation, palpitations, headache. Moderation in the intake of green tea is recommended for those suffering from heart problems, due to theine, and are being treated with drugs that act on the nervous system.
As for the pomegranate, excessive consumption of the infusion can cause side effects such as dizziness and weakness, cramps, nausea and diarrhea. In the case of the combination with blueberries, large doses can cause gas and intestinal bloating. Caution is advised when taking to pregnant and lactating women.