Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?
Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?"
— T.S. Eliot
Recently, my search for information about green tea online made me realise the urgency of writing to you. There are countless articles and scientific studies touting the benefits of green tea, but very few offer a holistic perspective on the tea plant itself in the context of nature or recognise that our individual needs require a much more intimate, ever-evolving approach. For more insights into choosing quality teas, check out our guide on Identifying A Good Tea.
It would be irresponsible for me to claim that green tea—or any tea—offers specific benefits and should be consumed in a particular way to achieve a desired effect. You are far more knowledgeable than you think; the key is to listen with intuition and question with precision:
1. Where does the tea grow?
2. In what environment?
3. How was it made?
What use is all this information if we neglect our personal experiences, which give us the courage and freedom to navigate the boundary between head and heart?
Misconception No.1
"It's scientifically proven, green tea is good for your health."
For any tea to provide the benefits that "experts" claim, we must consider the holistic context. How beneficial is a cup of green tea if the tea tree was sprayed with pesticides, the soil infused with chemicals, and the teabag sealed with microplastics?
Moreover, how can green tea be good for you if you feel jittery or unwell after drinking it? The quality of tea is deeply influenced by its processing. A tea made using traditional methods and following the rhythm of nature undergoes more than 30 steps over 14 to 50 days. Timing is crucial when it comes to nature. Only in this way can a tea align with your internal rhythm and work its benefits into your body without causing discomfort. If you're interested in traditional, hand-crafted teas, explore our selection of Green Tea and Master's Red.
Misconception No.2
"Since green tea is good for your health,
you should endure the bad tastes."
Our ancestors didn't endure bad-tasting tea for the sake of health. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine is a sophisticated system for treating illness and improving general well-being. Tea has always been made with joy and sipped for enjoyment. So, why should you accept a nasty, bitter-tasting tea? If a tea that is supposed to be enjoyable tastes bad, it raises an important question: why?
You may doubt yourself: "What's wrong with me?" "What did I not do right?" It's not your fault. According to my teachers, if tea doesn't taste good, it is either because it didn't grow properly or it wasn't made properly—or both. A good tea should not taste bitter, regardless of how you brew it.
If a tea doesn't agree with you—whether in your mouth, down your throat, in your belly, or in your head—it is not a good tea for you. Ignoring your intuitive awareness can be more harmful than the tea itself. Knowing yourself best is the most powerful and beneficial aspect of your health journey.
Misconception No.3
"Drink green tea every day because it's so good for your health."
We are part of nature, and this means we are constantly changing. A green tea that is beneficial to your health on a summer day may be harmful in winter. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, everything has a nature: cold, cool, neutral, warm, or hot. Green tea is generally considered to be cool or cold. Since the nature of our body changes with the seasons, we should make well-informed lifestyle choices to stay in tune with nature.
For instance, if you easily feel cold and often have cold hands and feet, drinking green tea every day is likely to worsen these conditions. In this case, regularly drinking warming tea, like Master's Red, would be a better lifestyle choice. This will allow for the occasional green tea on a hot summer day, even if you make a cold brew.
In conclusion, understanding green tea and its benefits requires a holistic and personalised approach. By considering where and how the tea is made and listening to our bodies, we can truly appreciate and enjoy the rich, aromatic, and beneficial qualities of traditional green tea. For more insights into choosing quality teas, check out our guide on Identifying A Good Tea.
