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Cotton, like linen, is very commonly used for sewing various garments and other items. But which of these materials is better? Linen or cotton? We show the most important properties and advantages of the different fabrics.

Production costs

Linen products are significantly more expensive to produce than tree products. This is because the work process is relatively complex. In the manufacture of linen products, all processes and work steps are mechanical and are therefore quite time-consuming. On the other hand, they usually last much longer than the cotton versions. In the long run, it is therefore worth spending a little more money. In addition, buying clothes made of linen can be more sustainable and you make an effective contribution to environmental protection.

Linen or cotton? The properties in comparison!

Linen yarn is made from so-called bast fibers and is very durable. This is partly due to the large thread strength of 70 tex (cotton only has 28 tex). For this reason, linen fabrics can be used for many years and even after 20 years they do not retain their excellent properties. This is usually different from cotton products. Because these often fade from the sun and then no longer look new. In addition, linen has a lower breaking load and higher abrasion resistance.

The main advantages of linen fabric:

  • robust
  • durable
  • more breathable
  • abrasion resistant
  • doesn’t fade that quickly
  • better water absorbency and water release

Another advantage of the linen fabric is the fact that it is much better protected against heat and therefore does not absorb it as quickly as cotton, for example. Even when the temperature is high, it gives you a cooling feeling and when it’s cold outside, it keeps you warm. There are therefore many advantages that speak in favor of the former when comparing linen vs cotton. Only the slightly higher price speaks against it.

Prices for high-quality cotton and linen

It was briefly mentioned above that the production of linen fabric is significantly more complex than the production of cotton fabric. For this reason, the former is also significantly more expensive. One meter of machine-woven linen with a width of 1.50 meters costs between 13 and 35 euros. Among other things, weight is crucial.

High-quality hand-woven linen is even more expensive. Here you have to pay between 35 euros and 50 euros. But you also get a handmade and qualitatively excellent product.
Cotton is usually a bit cheaper and costs an average of 12 to 16 euros per meter. Both materials have their advantages. Nevertheless, linen fabric can convince a little more on many levels and is, therefore, the first choice for many people. Also, note other properties of fabric types and their care instructions.

Coffee after lunch is simply part of it? You should reconsider this, because the tannins it contains prevent the body from properly absorbing nutrients.

Why should you avoid the cup of coffee after a meal?

Coffee contains tannins – so-called tannins. With digestive enzymes and proteins, they are able to form complexes that make it difficult to absorb vitamins and minerals from plant products. For example, the iron absorption. In this way, the iron is absorbed, but without being utilized by the body. However, iron is essential for the body because it enables it, for example, to form blood.

You should therefore make sure not to drink coffee for at least half an hour after eating. This gives the body enough time to utilize all the vitamins and minerals in the food.

However, these tannins should not be seen exclusively negatively, because some of the tannins are considered anti-cancer, antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory. It is also important that tannin does not affect the absorption of iron from animal products; the inhibition can only be seen in plant products.

This is why iron is so important for the body

Iron is so incredibly important for the body because it forms the basis for the formation of the red blood pigment. Iron also plays a significant role in transporting oxygen in the blood. Iron is indispensable for the formation of blood.

Iron is also essential for the metabolism. There it is a component of enzymes. Iron plays a particularly important role in growing children and adolescents because it is important for brain development. In principle, adolescents, pregnant women and women in general have a very high iron requirement.

consequences of iron deficiency

The consequences of iron deficiency are clear: iron deficiency clearly has a negative effect on physical performance. In addition, the number of red blood cells, in the formation of which iron is involved, decreases. This leads to impaired oxygen transport in the blood. This in turn leads to a feeling of exhaustion. In addition, the body is more susceptible to infections.

Vitamin C increases iron absorption

If you have problems absorbing iron or even suffer from an iron deficiency, you can follow a few tips to make iron absorption easier. It is important that the supporting food contains vitamin C, because this vitamin has been shown to promote the absorption of iron in the body.

A glass of orange juice with food helps with iron absorption.
Also peppers, which you can cut into the salad, for example.
We also recommend stirring sea buckthorn butter* into your muesli.
Lactic acid, which is an organic acid, also supports iron absorption. This is contained, for example, in sauerkraut and in sour fruits.

These foods inhibit iron absorption

In addition to coffee, there are other foods that have a significantly negative effect on iron absorption. These foods no longer impede iron absorption once they are soaked, fermented, or sprouted. This produces the enzyme phytase, which enables absorption. Examples of these foods are:
legumes
Black tea
Grain

Conclusion

It is better to avoid coffee with breakfast or immediately after lunch in the future: the tannins it contains inhibit iron absorption in the body. However, this only applies to iron from plant products, but not to animal products. This is all the more important for vegetarians or vegans. With the help of foods containing vitamin C, there is even the possibility of improving iron absorption.

Researchers have found in a new study that an especially early breakfast reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Study on diabetes prevention: The investigations delivered the desired result

The Endocrine Society – an international medical organization concerned with endocrinology and metabolism in general – has published a press release on a study. The study was able to establish a connection between type 2 diabetes prevention and an early first meal of the day.

A study on the subject was conducted by senior physician Marriam Ali at Northwestern University in Chicago

Insulin resistance occurs when the body is no longer able to properly use the insulin produced by the pancreas. In addition, the glucose from food can then no longer penetrate the cells as well. People with insulin resistance are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than people whose bodies are optimally processing insulin.

Metabolic diseases are becoming an increasing problem in society

“With the rise in metabolic diseases such as diabetes, we want to expand our understanding of what diets can address this growing problem.”

To do this, the researchers evaluated the data from 10,575 adults who had taken part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The participants divided them into three groups: people who ate for only 10 hours a day, those who ate for 10 to 13 hours, and those who ate more than 13 hours a day. They then divided them into six smaller groups based on the time the first meal of the day was eaten (before or after 8:30 am).

The researchers wanted to investigate whether insulin resistance and blood sugar levels in the body were lower when the subjects had breakfast before 8:30 a.m. In addition, they analyzed whether it also had a positive effect on insulin resistance and blood sugar levels if the subjects had practiced intermittent fasting.

The eating intervals turned out to be irrelevant: the timing of breakfast is crucial

The study found that how much of the day meals were eaten made no difference to blood sugar levels. Insulin resistance was slightly higher with shorter eating breaks than with longer ones. However, it was lower overall for all subjects if breakfast was eaten before 8:30 a.m. – regardless of whether they had eaten all of their daily meals within 10 hours, 10 to 13 hours or more than 13 hours. Eating breakfast before 8:30 a.m. has been shown to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

“So these findings make it clear that timing is much more closely linked to metabolic parameters than the length of the eating interval,” says Ali, going on to explain that this reinforces the intake from an early breakfast.

The after-work beer, the digestive schnapps or a glass of wine – alcohol consumption is part of everyday life for many. But from what amount is it too much? And why are older people particularly at risk when it comes to alcohol?

Alcohol consumption among older people is often underestimated

Older people often have more experience drinking alcohol, which does not mean that they drink more sensibly. Drinking habits are all too often not questioned – not by oneself and not by those around them. However, especially in old age, excessive alcohol consumption is not to be taken lightly. As you age, your body’s response to alcohol differs from the pattern we’ve seen before. For example, the body cells can no longer store water as well as they used to. The body’s fluid balance decreases. As a result, the same amount of alcohol consumed now results in a higher blood alcohol concentration. In addition, the liver does not break down alcohol as well as it used to. Therefore, if you drink more than 0.3 liters of beer per day as a woman or more than 0.6 liters of beer as a man, you are already in a health risk area.

There are two groups of older people who consume alcohol at a risky level. The first and larger group consists of people who have had a drinking problem for years. The health risk is particularly high here. The second group includes people who started drinking alcohol to a risky degree quite late. The reasons for this can be very complex. Possible reasons for dangerous alcohol consumption in old age are often critical phases of life such as retirement, reduced social contacts, financial problems or the loss of a partner, according to the Federal Center for Health Education.

Certain drinking habits often creep in, such as the digestive schnapps, the after-work beer or the daily glass of wine. But sometimes it doesn’t stop there. Drinking large amounts of alcohol on a regular basis can be dangerous. This does not only apply to older people! However, older people often go unnoticed when they consume alcohol at a risky level. There are various reasons for this. For example, because the risky drinking behavior of relatives and other people around them is tacitly accepted or because consequential damage is wrongly attributed to old age.

The danger of alcohol in old age

In older people, even small amounts of alcoholic beverages can lead to undesirable effects. There are also possible drug interactions. Alcohol consumption can also further worsen health impairments such as osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, memory loss and mood instability, according to the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) on the occasion of the day of the elderly.

Prof. Dr. Heidrun Thaiss, head of the BZgA: “Alcohol consumption harbors dangers at any age. In older people, they show a particular spectrum: alcohol consumption, for example, can increase the risk of falls and other accidents because balance and reaction time are impaired. These effects can occur in older people even with small amounts consumed. If alcohol is consumed in large quantities over a longer period of time, the risk of certain types of cancer increases. In addition, the gastrointestinal tract, the liver and specific brain functions are impaired. In older people, the breakdown of alcohol by the liver can also be delayed. Previously ‘well tolerated’ amounts can therefore have a stronger effect with increasing age. For these reasons, older people should consume alcohol with particular restraint.”

Whether in the form of a spice, tea or essential oil: the “Indian basil” Tulsi has long been part of the repertoire of Ayurveda medicine. The tea is said to have healing effects. But how is tulsi actually best prepared – and is the herb really as healthy as it is claimed?

What is Tulsi?

Tulsi, also known as Tulasi, is a species of basil in the mint family and is grown in tropical Asia and northern Australia. It is not called “holy basil” for nothing, because the Indian herb is said to have special effects. Overall, the Tulsi spice is most similar to basil, which is also commonly used in Germany.

Tulsi tea in particular is no longer just popular in India, but has also made a name for itself in Europe. On the one hand, this is because Tulsi contains various beneficial active ingredients such as eugenol, polyphenols and flavanoids. As a result, Tulsi has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect and can help with colds, fever, stomach problems or sores in the mouth. Another benefit of the herb is that it has a stress-relieving effect thanks to the antioxidants it contains, such as phenols and flavanoids.

Antioxidants are natural substances that protect the human body from oxidative stress and help break down harmful substances. This degradation ensures that oxidation processes are triggered in the body, which in turn increase reactive oxygen compounds and prevent oxidative stress. Since in medicine it is assumed, among other things, that oxidative stress is involved in the development of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, arteriosclerosis and high blood pressure, Tulsi herb can help to reduce the risk of disease with its antihypertensive, detoxifying and nerve-strengthening effects.

Does Tulsi basil also help fight cancer?

Tulsi has many beneficial effects, but it cannot be assumed that it also helps with cancer. Even a preventive effect would be purely speculative. The current study situation and studies carried out so far are not sufficient to prove any causal connection between the herb and cancer.

Tulsi Tea: How to Prepare It Properly

Tulsi tea is not experiencing its current upswing in Europe for nothing. Its aroma can be described as fine, sweet and slightly peppery. Either fresh or dried Tulsi leaves can be used to prepare the tea. In the well-stocked tea shop you can have your own Tulsi blends put together, for example with orange and ginger.

How to Properly Prepare Tulsi Tea:
One teaspoon of Tulsi herb per cup
Pour 200 ml of boiling water over the tea per cup
Let the tea steep for 6 to 10 minutes

Lose weight with Tulsi

Due to the blood sugar-lowering effect of Tulsi, we feel less hungry and the substances already mentioned stimulate digestion. In addition, the herb is said to have rejuvenating effects.

In addition to the already mentioned positive effects of Tulsis through anthocyanins, the plant’s own substances are the actual ingredients for the healing effects. These are mainly found in essential oils and can help against asthma, colds, gout, fungal infections, rheumatism, worm infestation as well as tooth and gum inflammation. Tulsi essential oils tend to have a sweet, fresh, green scent with balsamic undertones.

Tulsi in the kitchen

Indian basil is used regularly, especially in Asian cuisines such as Indian or Thai cuisine. Tulsi is particularly suitable for curries, vegetable, rice, pasta dishes or stews and gives the dishes a fresh touch. In combination with spices such as aniseed, chili, ginger or caraway, Tulsi unfolds its full effect and comes into its own. For example, Tulsi pesto is easy to make yourself and then combines with pasta, lasagne, rice, potatoes or bread.

For Tulsi Pesto you need the following ingredients:
2 hands of fresh Tulsi
2 tbsp Tulsi powder
1 clove of garlic
100g raw almonds
50ml olive oil
Zest of 1 lemon
salt and pepper

Why are cherries so healthy? And why are the small fruits so important for pregnant women? Here you can find out everything about the cherry.

Eating cherries during pregnancy: why is the fruit important for the development of the unborn child?

The cherry is particularly recommended for women during pregnancy, as it also contains a lot of folic acid. Folic acid is necessary for cell division and responsible for blood formation.

If there is not enough folic acid in the body during pregnancy, this can have serious consequences for the unborn child. Because a folic acid deficiency can lead to deformities in children, since the first cells of the unborn child cannot divide properly.

Therefore, pregnant women in particular should use the small red vitamin bombs more often, ideally even daily. But even those who are not expecting a child should definitely include the cherry on their menu.

Healthy cherry recipes for every day

Anyone who thinks that cherries can only be eaten pure or as jam is wrong. The healthy power fruit offers completely different recipes and opportunities to let off steam in the kitchen*. The red fruits are particularly good in salads, with yoghurt and muesli for breakfast or as a healthy snack in the form of refreshing cherry and sour cream ice cream.

If you prefer something savory, you won’t miss out on the cherry either: balsamic cherry gnocchi with sage and olive oil, but also a spicy cherry chutney with onions and fresh ginger are hearty and healthy energy boosts.

So the cherry is an absolute superfood for everyone, but especially for pregnant women.

Green pesto is always a real treat! You shouldn’t heat the paste – otherwise the taste could suffer. Green pesto in particular is considered to be particularly susceptible.

Heating green pesto: what exactly happens?

To explain the phenomenon in more detail, you need to take a look at the composition of basil. Like many plants, this contains chlorophyll, which among other things gives the herb its green color.

As the Center for Health writes, chlorophyll is not considered to be particularly heat-resistant. As the scientific magazine Spektrum explains, this is related to polyphenols, which, in combination with enzymes, oxidize under the influence of heat and thus also ensure the characteristic browning of green plants.

As a topping on bread or to gratinate dishes: sliced ​​cheese can be used in a variety of ways in the kitchen, but it is not particularly healthy. This is due to the high phosphate content.

Phosphate in sliced ​​cheese: These risks are eaten

While phosphate plays an important role in our musculoskeletal system, such as muscle movement or bone and tooth structure, an elevated phosphate level in the blood poses significant risks. In a healthy person, the kidneys normally ensure that the increased phosphate level drops again and is excreted in the urine.

However, if the kidneys have to do this too often or if there is a kidney disease, this mechanism no longer works properly and the phosphate continues to accumulate in the blood. The risk of heart attack and stroke increases due to changes in the inner walls of the vessels. In addition, skin and muscles age faster.

In addition, due to increased storage in our bones, it displaces the calcium that is important for stability, which results in an increased risk of osteoporosis.

Lack of transparency on the addition of phosphate: Where it is everywhere

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the maximum level for phosphates that can be consumed without hesitation is 40 mg/kg body weight. Often, however, consumers can no longer explicitly track whether a finished product contains added phosphate, let alone how much.

Although the addition of phosphate is subject to labelling, there are exceptions. Labeling can be omitted if the phosphate was not added directly to the end product but was contained as an ingredient in a starting product. They are often also hidden as so-called preservatives or stabilizers, for example behind the following E numbers:
E338 – phosphoric acid
E339 – sodium phosphate
E340 – potassium phosphate
E341 – Calcium phosphate
E343 – magnesium phosphate
E450 – diphosphate
E451 – Triphosphate
E452 – polyphosphate
E442 – ammonium phosphatides
E541 – Sodium aluminum phosphate acidic

Healthier alternatives

The problem with industrially added phosphates is that they are hardly bound in the food and are therefore freely available. They go completely into our blood. Consumers can avoid this problem by switching to natural, unprocessed foods.

Meat, nuts and legumes deserve special mention here. Only a small proportion of the phosphate in these foods is freely available and absorbed by the blood, the rest is excreted undigested.

And those looking for burger alternatives might enjoy aged cheddar or can experiment with a variety of other cheeses that haven’t undergone extensive chemical processing. These are not only better for your health, but usually also packaged in a more environmentally friendly way.

More and more people are opting for a vegetarian or vegan diet.

6 good reasons to give up meat

“Do you have anything vegetarian?” Not so long ago, this question made the staff roll their eyes in some restaurants. In the meantime, meatless dishes can be found on many menus as a matter of course. Vegetarians and vegans are hardly ever looked at askance. Too many people rely on this diet for that. The reasons for this diet speak for themselves.

1. Vegetarian diet is good for climate protection

Those who do without meat ensure lower greenhouse gas emissions. According to a study by the environmental protection organization WWF, around 25 percent of the climate footprint of an average person living in Germany is due to their diet.

Animal products account for the largest share (69 percent). Meat in particular should be mentioned here – beef is the most harmful to the climate – but dairy products should also be given more attention here. “Our current food systems pose one of the greatest challenges to our planet and the continued existence of humanity on Earth,” says the WWF study.

2. Meat consumption consumes a lot of resources

About 15 percent of the greenhouse gases emitted worldwide can be traced back to keeping livestock. Cattle, for example, emit large amounts of methane gas. Alongside the energy sector and transport, industrial animal husbandry is one of the main causes of climate change.

The production of one kilogram of beef, for example, produces a good 13 kilograms of CO2 equivalents, while the figure for fruit and vegetables is well under one kilogram. For the production of one kilogram of beef, up to 16 kilograms of grain are required as feed. “Industrial animal husbandry and the cultivation of animal feed take up 80 percent of all pasture and arable land in the world. In Germany, animal feed alone accounts for 60 percent of the arable land,” writes Greenpeace, for example.

If the arable land were used for the production of plant-based food instead, significantly more people could be fed.

3. Meat production uses a lot of water

Animal products contain much more water than plant-based ones. This is also referred to as “virtual water”, the total amount of water used in the manufacture of a product until it ends up on our plate or in our cupboard.

An example from the organization Peta: On average, 2,350 liters of virtual water are needed to produce a 150-gram beef burger, while an average of just over 150 liters of water is needed for a soy burger. The difference is also extreme when it comes to soy milk: just under 300 virtual liters of water are required for one liter of soy drink, while cow’s milk requires more than 1,000 liters.

4. Eating too much meat is unhealthy

Overall, according to the German Society for Nutrition, Germans eat twice as much meat as recommended by health experts. A quantity of 300 to 600 grams of meat per week would be significantly healthier, i.e. half of the current per capita consumption. Processed meat (sausage, ham) is even classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Meat from conventional husbandry is also often treated with medication such as antibiotics. Anyone who eats a lot of meat therefore runs the risk of developing resistance to antibiotics.

5. Vegetarian diet protects animals

The grievances in factory farming have long been known: farm animals are often kept and killed under cruel, undignified circumstances. Keeping dairy cows is also often anything but animal-friendly.

On the other hand, more organic products in the shopping basket and the consideration of replacing some dairy products with vegan alternatives such as oat milk help.

6. Eating meat isn’t “natural” or “necessary”

People who eat meat and other animal products like to argue that it’s “natural” and “necessary.” But much contradicts this claim: not a few people get sick at the sight of blood, let alone a dead animal body. Dead bodies repel us.

In addition, our tooth structure and the human swallowing reflex have the characteristics of herbivores: We do not “tear” our food and do not swallow it in large chunks, but chew and swallow it, as Geo.de writes, among others.

Conclusion: Vegetarian diet has only advantages

In conclusion, it can be said that there is a lot to be said for a vegetarian or vegan diet. A meatless diet is good for the environment, animals and ourselves.

The positive effects of green tea on health are undisputed and are backed up by countless studies. Green tea from the Himalayas is of particularly high quality. We’ll tell you why Himalayan tea is so extraordinary and why green tea is generally so healthy and should be drunk every day.

Green tea from the Himalayas: That’s why it’s so healthy

Green tea from the Himalayas: At 800 to 2,500 meters, dry air alternates constantly with humid air, and it is both cool and hot (due to the strong sunshine). In addition, there is a lot of precipitation here during the monsoon, which together with the fog ensures high humidity. The southern slopes of the Himalayas offer ideal, albeit unusual, conditions for tea cultivation.

Green Tea: Numerous Health Benefits

As the German Green Cross explains, the consumption of
Furthermore, regular consumption of green tea can lower cholesterol levels. In addition, the good cholesterol, the HDL, is strengthened by reducing the bad cholesterol, the LDL. And also at

There is even suspicion that green tea may help with liver transplantation due to its antioxidant properties. Also who under one

Green Tea: Protects the heart and prolongs life

Those who drink green tea regularly may be able to prevent cardiovascular diseases and strokes – this is the conclusion reached by scientists from the Peking Union Medical College in a long-term study published in the European Journal for Preventive Cardiology. The European Union’s Community Research and Development Information Service CORDIS also reported on the results. According to this, consuming green tea at least three times a week should help you live longer and be healthier. The long-term study by the Chinese researchers examined more than 100,000 Chinese over a period of seven years, who were divided into two groups – regular tea drinkers and those who rarely consume tea.

The regular tea drinkers were, on average, 20 percent less likely to develop heart disease or stroke, and they were also 15 percent more likely to survive diseases that have been the death sentence for non-tea drinkers. On average, regular tea consumption can extend life by 1.26 years, and tea drinkers develop heart disease or a stroke about 1.5 years later

What the researchers also noticed is that the positive effects of tea on men’s health were particularly evident. Only slight improvements in health were seen in women. One reason for this could be that the proportion of tea-drinking men in the study was significantly higher than that of tea-drinking women. The scientists hold polyphenols in the tea leaves primarily responsible for the life-prolonging effects of green tea*. These are able to reduce inflammation and at the same time act as antioxidants

Green Tea: Can It Protect Against Cancer?

There is also evidence that green tea can protect against cancer. In an overview study authored by researchers from the Cochrane Collaboration, the scientists looked at a total of 142 studies on the effect of green tea on the prevention of colon, lung, breast, prostate and other types of cancer. However, the results are mixed.

In some studies, there appears to be a link between reducing the risk of developing cancer and consuming green tea. The scientists blame the antioxidants found in the substance epigallocatechin gallate contained in tea for this. These antioxidants inhibit free radicals in the body that have harmful effects. This means that oxidative stress is avoided, which damages the cells and thus causes cancer cells to develop.

Weight Loss: Lose weight with green tea

Regular consumption of green tea* can also have a positive effect on weight. A study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry links green tea drinking to modest weight gain.

In the animal experiment, mice were given particularly high-fat food for eight weeks, which made the animals overweight. The control group continued to receive normal food. The highlight: Half of the mice in each of the two groups were given two percent green tea extract

The surprising result: the mice that had the green tea extract in their food gained an average of 20 percent less weight than the mice that did not consume any green tea. They were also shown to have lower insulin resistance. Green tea also had a positive effect on the intestines: the intestinal wall was less permeable, which increased the health of the microbes in the intestine. Since the study is an animal experiment, the results cannot be extrapolated to humans without further ado, so further studies must be carried out.

Beauty: Green tea’s positive effects on the skin

As reported by the Saarland University Hospital, the flavonoid epigallocatechin gallate contained in green tea is able to have a positive effect on skin damage caused by UV radiation. Green tea also proves to be a tried and tested remedy for some skin diseases, especially if they result in vasodilatation and reddened areas of the skin.

Furthermore, green tea can also counteract the natural aging of the skin if it is processed in creams. Studies have shown, among other things, that green tea can increase the thickness of the skin in older people when used locally. An increase in keratinocytes in the skin could be proven, which play a role in inflammation, the immune system and the self-healing of the skin – and also in the self-protection of the skin from harmful UV radiation.

Another study concludes that green tea may help with acne. For example, the administration of green tea extract reduced inflammation on the nose, forehead and chin. However, according to the researchers, further studies are needed to make precise statements about the effect of green tea on acne.

How to recognize high-quality green tea

You can tell whether green tea is of high quality by looking at a few characteristics. If these aspects are given, it is most likely a high-quality green tea, according to the eco-magazine Waschbär*. It is important, among other things, the cultivation

What makes green tea so striking is its so-called “noble bitter note” and at the same time a fresh taste, which is caused by the tannins it contains and the secondary plant substances catechins. At the same time, green tea should always taste sweet, which is caused by the polysaccharides and amino acids it contains. Furthermore, minerals, essential oils and the flavor umami also play a role, which is considered the fifth flavor. Umami is described as hearty and aromatic and has a weakening effect on the bitter substances in green tea, making it more digestible in terms of taste. If one considers the aspect of green tea, the best quality tea is fetched from the tea fields with the so-called “first flush”, which is the first harvest after the winter. After that, the tea is harvested about five more times in the same year, but it no longer comes close to the taste quality of the first harvest. If a tea is labeled “Blend”, it is a mixture of leaves from different harvests.

After harvesting, the tea leaves are processed and go through a number of work steps: after the leaves have withered, they are heated, for example steamed or roasted. Heating stops the fermentation and seals the leaves so the flavor and healthy ingredients don’t escape. The leaves are then rolled so that the tea tastes more aromatic when brewed. When processing, it is important for the quality if as many work steps as possible are carried out by hand, as they are more careful than if the tea leaves are processed exclusively by machines. If the tea is processed manually, this is usually stated on the package, as this is an absolute sign of quality. Finally, it is also important that the tea is as fresh as possible. If the leaves are stored for a long time, they lose both flavor and healthy ingredients. However, there are a few types of tea that only become really high-quality through long storage.

Conclusion: Green tea from the Himalayas has many health benefits

Green tea has countless health benefits that have been confirmed in many studies. Green tea from the slopes of the Himalayas is particularly recommended, as it is considered to be of particularly high quality and tasty due to the external conditions.

In order to get green tea of impeccable quality, you can consider a few aspects of green tea production. Among other things, you should consider cultivation, taste, harvest, processing and freshness. You can ask about these aspects on the packaging or directly from your tea retailer – tea that is organically certified is generally recommended. Green tea can contribute a lot to our health – the miracle tea has a positive effect on this, among other things:

lowers cholesterol and blood sugar levels
helps the liver
protects the heart and against strokes
can prolong life
can protect against cancer
helps with weight loss
can have a positive effect on the skin