When it comes to consuming green tea in Australia, there are lots of options. Green tea has a reputation for being a super-healthy, nutrient rich drink and that reputation is well-deserved.
Scientifically known as Camellia sinensis, green tea can help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease as well as improving brain function and preventing the onset of diseases like Alzheimer’s.
As it boosts metabolism and burns fat, you’ll find you have more energy, and it’s detoxifying qualities will result in a clearer complexion.
Which green tea is best in Australia?
| Name | Aroma | Umami | Astringency | Price / 100g | Easy to find |
| Sencha | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | $17 | Yes |
| Fukamushicha | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | $28 | No |
| Bancha | 4/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | $22.90 | No |
| Kukicha | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | $21.90 | No |
| Mecha | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | $24 | Yes |
| Konacha | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | $15.60 | No |
| Sencha Powder | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | $17.90 | Yes |
| Houjicha | 5/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | $23 | No |
| Genmaicha | 5/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | $18.95 | Yes |
| Gyokuroo | 3/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | $45 | No |
| Matcha | 3/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | $16.99 | Yes |
Since green tea has been around for so long, there are many different forms available including:
- Tablets
- Extracts
- Matcha
- Green Tea Leaves
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However, studies have shown that some cheaper teas or more processed forms of tea can contain chemicals such as fluoride which minimise the effectiveness of the beverage. Pure green tea is the most effective way to obtain all the health benefits it offers. |
On its own, loose leaf tea has a light, delicate flavour which can be spoilt if brewed too long. Depending on the type of green tea, the taste can vary from sweet and floral to bitter and earthy. This is why blended loose-leaf teas offer the greatest combination of flavours.
1. Green Tea Tablets
Scientists have successfully extracted most of the benefits of green tea and put them into tablet form. These tablets can be found at most health food stores, even at Coles and Woolworths.
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+ PROS Quick and easy to take and transport, so you’ll still get most of the benefits of the original green tea. - CONS Tablets contain fewer vitamins as the chemical process to manufacture them destroys some of the nutrients. |
2. Green Tea Extract
Green tea extract can either be:
- Liquid form
- Capsule
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+ PROS The capsules are similar to the tablets in terms of convenience for on-the-go nutrition and can be a good addition to a healthy diet. The liquid droppers can be added to almost any drink and are very useful for people who do not like the taste of green tea, or are looking for a caffeine-free option. - CONS The potency and effectiveness of the ingredients will be diluted by adding the extract to other foods and drinks because the digestive system will not be able to extract all the benefits of the tea. |
3. Matcha Green Tea Powder
Matcha is basically a powdered form of green tea.
The powder can be added to most drinks and contains as much caffeine and has a similar taste to regular green tea. Some matcha is formulated to contain more nutrients than green tea.
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+ PROS This study found that Matcha can contain up to 137 times more antioxidants than other green teas. - CONS Because Matcha takes longer to produce, it is much more expensive than normal green tea. |
4. Green Tea Leaves
Because loose leaf tea is the closest thing you will get to fresh leaves, it is by far the best option.
It is best if you don’t add boiling hot water to green tea as you will destroy the antioxidants and vitamins.
You can buy special green tea such as our Fat Burning Tea Matinée, formulated specially to help increase your metabolism and boost your weight loss journey.
If your weight gain is caused by menopause, don't miss:
- The Best Ways to Lose Weight Naturally during Menopause
- The Best Menopause Teas For Weight Loss
- Beginners Guide to Pine Needle Tea in Australia
Fat Burning Tea Recipe for Weight Loss1) Bring one cup of water (200ml) to the boil. 2) Once the water has boiled, let it cool for 3 minutes, then add 1 teaspoon of green tea leaves and 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger. 3) Add the juice of 1 lemon, a pinch of turmeric and a pinch of cinnamon. Finish by stirring in ½ a teaspoon of honey and if you’re feeling spicy, add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little kick. 4) Let this mixture steep for a maximum of 3 minutes. The smaller the tea leaves, the less time they will need in the water as their flavour is extracted faster than larger leaves. 5) Once the mixture has settled, strain out the tea leaves. Sit back, sip and enjoy up to three times a day! |
How green tea differs from other teas
Green tea differs from other teas because the leaves are heat treated after picking to stop the fermentation process. The heat ensures all the goodness is locked into the leaf. Different methods of applying heat such as roasting or steaming, and for different lengths of time, give the different teas their distinct flavours.
Can green tea really help with weight loss?Yes, absolutely. Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties and can help prevent fat storage, reduce cholesterol and improve heart health. This means drinking green tea can help shift weight which may have been difficult to move with exercise, as well as helping prevent weight from returning to haunt you in the future. |
Sometimes a sudden weight gain can be due to a hormonal imbalance, read:
- Metabolism Changes During Menopause Can Make You Gain Weight
- How do I Know if I Suffer from Hormone Imbalance?
The benefits of drinking green tea
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Because green tea is heat treated to prevent fermentation, all the vitamins and minerals are sealed inside the leaf so when you steep them in water, you get all the goodness in your drink. |
The catechins in the tea have been proven to help fight obesity as well as treating type 2 diabetes. Catechins, which are naturally found in all teas, react with cells to prevent the storage of fat in the body.
Green tea in particular contains a powerful catechin called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which makes up as much as 20% of the leaf’s weight. When ingested, this catechin spreads throughout the body preventing fat build-up, decreasing blood pressure and lowering cholesterol.
According to this study, just by drinking green tea you can lower the risk of developing diabetes by as much as 42%!
Catechins are also effective at preventing oxidization of cells. Cell damage causes signs of premature ageing on the skin such as fine lines, wrinkles and dull, saggy skin.
SummaryThere are multiple health benefits to drinking green tea including the prevention of high blood pressure, the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and even cancer – especially breast cancer. It can help you lose weight and detoxify your body with the probable result of a clearer, more youthful complexion. |
Is green tea high in caffeine?
Short answer, yes. Green tea contains a surprising amount of caffeine. However, unlike coffee it also contains a compound called L-theanine, which has anti-anxiety properties.
By drinking green tea you’ll get all the improved focus, reaction time, memory and energy of coffee, without the jittery after-effects.And it isn’t a short-term boost. It can improve your brain function over many years.
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The polyphenols found in green tea have been proven to have a neurological effect on your brain so diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are likely to have less severe symptoms, as well as occurring much later in life – if at all. |
In addition, green tea has anti-inflammatory properties which:
- help reduce pressure on the brain
- minimise stress
- prevent the brain from ageing
Side Effects of Green Tea
Sticking to the recommended dose of a generous 3 cups a day is the best way to avoid any unpleasant side effects.
While green tea contains an abundance of nutrients and vitamins, which can seriously improve your health, like all good things - it should be taken in moderation.
How many cups of green tea a day to lose weight fast?In Australia, the recommended amount of green tea is around 3 cups a day; 4 is the maximum. This is because green tea contains lots of caffeine and too much caffeine in your system can cause irregular heartbeats, nervousness, anxiety, headaches and dizziness. |
Green tea can upset your stomach
As well as the potential side-effects caused by too much caffeine, green tea can affect the stomach.
Green tea may also prohibit your body from absorbing the iron in the food you eat. Anyone with an iron deficiency may struggle to get enough iron in their body if they drink too much green tea. This in turn can lead to weakness, fatigue, headaches, breathing problems and chest pains. It can also worsen the symptoms of anaemia.
Can Green tea cause Diarrhoea?Yes, Green tea can cause Diarrhoea because it is so effective at helping the body digest food, excessive amounts of green tea can lead to bowel problems and even vomiting. |
If Diarrhoea is caused by your period instead, read:
It can increase the amount you need to pee as your body flushes out your digestive system. In milder cases, this can be part of a successful detox, however, in more extreme cases, it can lead to nutrient deficiency and dehydration.
Additionally, the extra stress on your internal organs can lead to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
While some of the side effects of green tea can sound very severe and serious, they are also very rare.
SummaryThe recommended amount of green tea is 2-3 cups a day, with an absolute maximum of 4. More than that can lead to an upset stomach, diarrhoea, fatigue, difficulty breathing, headaches and even irritable bowel syndrome. However, these symptoms are rare, and almost non-existent if you remain under 4 cups a day. |
Our conclusion about the best green tea in Australia
Green tea is one of the healthiest teas available in Australia.
The major claims surrounding the drink have scientific backing.
Any drink which can help stop the ageing process, help you lose weight, fight cancer and cell degeneration, prevent the early onset of neurological diseases, and promote clear skin is a very impressive drink indeed! Almost magical!Green tea provides the most health benefits of any beverage you can consume on a daily basis.
For anyone looking to kickstart a health and fitness programme, or anyone who wants to improve their life, green tea should definitely be on their shopping list.
Green Tea FAQs
When is the best time to drink green tea?
Ideally, green tea should not be drunk on an empty stomach because the catechins can affect your liver function. If you have a nutrient deficiency, it should also not be drunk with a meal.
Around an hour or two after breakfast is an ideal time.
What does green tea taste like?
Different green teas in Australia have different tastes depending on how they were produced. The taste can vary from very light and floral to heavier, earthier tones.
However, green tea should not be bitter. If your tea is bitter this is because the tea itself is cheap, badly produced and has excess tannins which are responsible for the bitter taste.
Alternatively, it could mean you are brewing the tea with boiling the water that has burnt the leaves.
I’ve had a baby and I’m breastfeeding. Can I drink green tea?
While green tea is full of nutrients which can help support both mother and child, it also contains caffeine. This means pregnant women and women who are nursing should avoid drinking an excess amount of green tea. Unless a doctor recommends something different, 1 or 2 cups a day is the maximum amount to get the health benefits of the tea without consuming too much caffeine.
How much green tea can I drink?
As green tea does contain caffeine, it is not recommended that anyone drinks more than around 4 cups per day as a maximum. 2 to 3 cups every day will give you lots of health benefits without any side-effects.
Will green tea really help my brain?
Yes! Drinking green tea can help reduce anxiety and stress, and prevent your brain cells from degenerating. This means your brain won’t age as fast and is less susceptible to neurological diseases associated with old age.
I can’t drink caffeine. Can I have green tea?
If you can’t consume caffeine then green tea is not the right choice for you. Green tea actually contains a fair amount of caffeine. However, there are green tea extracts without caffeine available. Most tablets contain caffeine unless specifically stated that the caffeine has been removed.