Viet Nam Green tea 

1.Characteristics

Camellia Sinensis, commonly known as green tea.
Green tea is widely grown in Vietnam for use as a beverage, medicine or ornamental plant.
Vietnamese tea trees have grown strongly and have been planted in large areas commonly in the midland mountainous regions of the North since 1924.
It is a perennial woody plant that often grows in bushes.

Tea leaves are usually 2 to 5cm wide and about 4 to 15cm long, growing at each node on the branch, with serrated edges.
Young leaves have white hairs under the leaves and are light green, old leaves are dark green. The white, fragrant camellia flowers grow individually or in clusters of two to four.
The fruit of the tea tree is brownish green and contains one to four spherical or flat seeds.

2.Tea Planting and Harvesting

Seedlings are usually 25-30 cm in size, planted in spring, suitable for low-slope mountainous areas. After 2 years, prune to create canopy, from the 3rd year start harvesting, Spring crop (March – April), Autumn crop (May – October), Autumn-Winter crop (November – December).

Harvesting: Select tea leaves with 2-3 leaves and 1 bud that meet the standards for picking, then after 35-42 days, pick again for the next buds.

3.Chemical Composition

Including caffeine, polyphenols, essential oils.

The leaves contain up to 20% tannin, in addition to caffeine at a rate of 1.5 – 5%, some vitamins B1, B2, C. And amino acids are the ingredients in tea that contribute to the unique, rich flavor of tea, more than 60% is theanine, only found in tea. In addition to theanine, other amino acids found in tea leaves include glutamine, asparagine, arginine and serine.

Tea leaves contain about 0.1% saponin, giving it a bitter taste, containing about 5-7% minerals, mainly potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium and small amounts of manganese, zinc, copper …

4.Uses and Benefits of Green Tea

In nature, green tea trees are used as ornamental plants, to protect the environment, to cover bare hills and mountains, and to limit soil erosion and leaching.

For humans, green tea leaves are a drink that has the following effects: good antioxidant, limiting skin aging. At the same time, green tea leaves also help heal wounds quickly, have the effect of cooling, detoxifying, slowing down the aging process, reducing wrinkles on the skin and can prevent free radicals, reduce the risk of cancer, support reducing cholesterol levels, prevent cardiovascular disease, stabilize blood pressure. Regularly drinking tea also helps increase the ability to destroy harmful bacteria in the mouth, helping to protect the mouth. Green tea contains caffeine with the effect of reducing drowsiness, dispelling fatigue, creating relaxation and comfort. This is a drink that helps you stay awake and focused.