Green Tea Forum

geoff · Uh, Can I Add Sugar? Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 3

I typically assume that the steaming process and strength of the brew should make Japanese green teas a better source of polyphenols, etc. than the weaker appearing typical chinese green teas. But is this true? I don't really know of any studies that address this comparison. Can anyone help?

Ryan · Sensei Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 475

This is actually an interesting question, one of which I have pondered myself.

I know of no studies and as a result I think there is no way to know for sure. There is the possibility that any differences are quite small. But who knows....

I will say that Japan has tight regulations so you know there isn't excessive lead or pesticides in the tea, unfortunately China does not have the same quality control. In this sense, Japanese tea overall is healthier.

cyens · Uh, Can I Add Sugar? Joined: 30 Aug 2007 Posts: 12

I see why there would be lead in paint, but I dont see how lead would get in tea? Was there cases of chinese tea tainted with lead? I never heard of this. ( I mainly drink chinese tea, so that could make me a lil' paranoid. )

Ryan · Sensei Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 475

Actually, here is the article:

http://app1.chinadaily.com.cn/star/history/00-06-27/c08-survey.html

And here is the explanation:

"The survey indicated tea trees planted too close to traffic-heavy roads or factories which discharge a lot of waste gas or water, are likely to accumulate lead.

Lead from waste water discharged by factories will penetrate trees through the soil. Randomly discarded batteries are also to blame for badly polluted soil in tea plantations."

cyens · Uh, Can I Add Sugar? Joined: 30 Aug 2007 Posts: 12

Now I get it, since china uses lead gasoline...

But thinking how many tons of lead-gasoline north americans burned....

wehayley · Posted: Aug 31, 2007 9:14 am Post subject:

As an acupuncturist and a practitioner of Chinese Medicine, I generally avoid herbs from China just for this reason - contaimination. No matter what the vendors say, no matter what the distributors claim, you just don't know for sure. This is also the reason I have essentially switched from Chinese tea to those of Japan.

I know this may sound a bit odd, but Japanese teas taste more green, and somewhere inside me that resonates as "healthier"...

Chip · Posted: Aug 31, 2007 10:20 am Post subject:

I used to drink 90% Chinese tea and maybe 5% each Japanese and Indian.

That was Spring last year...this is a whole new world since last year, but even then I was trying to up my Japanese leaf usage for the reasons already stated. But also, when a country still has DDT issues and seemingly refuses to fully remedy the problem, I knew I needed to change fast.

I now drink around 80% Japanese teas, and around 10% each of Taiwan and China tea. I would drink 100% Japanese tea, but I still crave variety.

But to be honest, Chinese tea has really started to scare me. shock

cyens · Uh, Can I Add Sugar? Joined: 30 Aug 2007 Posts: 12

yeah... since theyre is so many call backs. Just look at all the food for pets and toys recalls. There is something to be paranoid about. I would be paranoid enough to test my tea for toxines if I knew how.

Chip · Posted: Sep 01, 2007 11:22 am Post subject: