In the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, drink a green beverage besides green-dyed beer. Most of us will do almost anything to extend the length of our lives. From the latest supplements to Dr. Shintani's Hawai'i Diet, Tae Bo to meditation, our culture is obsessed with attaining a healthy mind, body and soul. Green tea may be the next health trend or the next fad. If you missed your coffee this morning and are beginning to feel the drag, a cup of green tea may be a healthier alternative.
Tea comes from an evergreen laurel tree.
The tree's scientific name is the Camellia sinesis. Most of these trees grow in the tropical and temperate regions of Asia. About 800 A.D., green tea made its way from China to Japan. Now tea leaves are cultivated in Asia, Africa and South America. There are three main types of tea, depending on the fermentation.