Green Tea (Sabz Chai, Peshawari Kehwa)

Unbeknownst to many, green tea actually comes from the same plant where normal tea is obtained. Scientifically, it is known as Camellia Sinensis. In fact, it is the same tea but it is processed differently. The normal black tea is obtained by fermenting the tea leaves. This fermentation changes its color and flavor, while raising the level of caffeine and tannin in it. On the other hand, in the case of Green Tea, the tea leaves are dried or slightly steamed but not fermented. This is what makes it look green when it’s brewed.

The many well-researched health benefits of green tea make it a great beverage to include in your diet for the prevention and treatment of cancer, heart problems, cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol levels, rheumatoid arthritis, infection, tooth decay, and many others. Green tea contains an antioxidant called epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG) which is also helpful in treating a variety of diseases.

How to make Green Tea:

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon of Green Tea Leaves for 1 cup.

2 cups water

1 teaspoon of Honey

Juice of lemon/lime or 1/2 teaspoon of crushed dried lime.

Method:

Step 1:

Take one teaspoon of green tea leaves. If you want to make more than a cup of green tea, take 1 teaspoon of green tea leaves for each cup. So, take 4 teaspoons of green tea leaves for 4 cups of green tea.

Step 2:

Now, take the tea leaves in a strainer/sieve and keep aside.

Step 3:

Now, take a stainless steel pot/pan and boil the water. If you want to use a glass teapot instead, go ahead. The ideal temperature for green tea is 80°C to 85°C, so keep an eye on the water to make sure it’s not boiling. If it starts boiling anyway, just switch off the gas/heat and let it cool for a bit (say, for 30-45 seconds).

Step 4:

Now, place the sieve/ strainer over the cup or mug.

Step 5:

Next, pour the hot water into the cup and let the tea steep for 3 minutes. This is the step where we need to be very careful. Not everyone likes their tea strong, so, to check whether the tea is just right, keep a spoon handy and drink a spoonful of tea every 30-45 seconds to find out if the flavor is right for you.

Step 6:

Now, take out the sieve and keep it aside. If you want, you may add 1 teaspoon honey and lemon juice.

Step 7:

Stir the honey and lemon juice in and let the drink cool for a few seconds. Enjoy your cup of green tea.