The world has changed so much over the past year and a half, and my life has been changing with it, accompanied by fluctuating stress and anxiety. Facing so much turbulence and uncertainty, green tea has, unexpectedly, become a soothing constant in my life. It’s gentle, healthy, and versatile, and it’s one of the little things that remind me to stay grateful.
I’ve been working on a healthier diet and lifestyle this past summer, and green tea has been a lovely staple in the process. It has a fraction of the caffeine content in a cup of coffee, giving me a subtle boost of energy without making me jittery or causing me to lose sleep. It doesn’t come with added sugars either, making it a healthy replacement for juice and smoothie cravings.
Green tea has high catechin content and is less processed than black and oolong tea, making it an effective antioxidant that stimulates blood flow, boosts metabolism, and reduces inflammation. Alongside exercise and sun protection, I’ve found green tea a wonderful adjunct to being just a little bit healthier.
Most notably, green tea truly goes with anything and tastes absolutely delightful. Unlike my failed attempts at integrating quinoa and kale into my diet, green tea has become an easy, natural part of my life. I especially love the versatility of green tea because it suits every type of weather and all of my moods.
You can drink green tea on its own, hot with honey, over ice with crushed mint, blended with oat milk and vanilla, or— my personal favourite — cold-brewed with peach syrup.