Chunmee Green Tea Benefits Guide

One of the most classical Chinese green teas, Chunmee is a tea every tea lover has to try at least once. It offers a good perspective on a wide range of green tea flavors, may offer numerous benefits and tastes great, both hot and cold.

What is Chunmee green tea?

Chunmee, Zhen Mei or Chun Mei is a Chinese green tea. It’s produced only in China, mostly in Anhui and Jiangxi Province. The English name of this tea is a „Precious Eyebrows tea“ because of the small hand rolled leaves shaped in the form that resembles eyebrows. Chun mee is produced in China and one of the most popular green teas in western countries.

What does Chunmee tea taste like?

Chunmee is a pan-fired tea. Pan-fired teas have a less vegetal and nuttier flavor, that can be light or more intense, depending on how the teas was made. For example. lung ching or Dragon well is also nutty, but with no smokiness and very light compared to Chunmee. In strength and color, Chunmee is quite similar to Gunpowder, but with more smokiness. Chunmee green tea has a bit more astringency than other green teas, and is suitable for drinking with sugar, honey or even milk. Because of its strong flavor, Chunmei is great for flavoring and scenting. It’s often used in some African countries for making mint tea, similar to Moroccan mint tea made with Gunpowder tea leaves. This tea makes for a great daily green tea. If you enjoy Gunpowder tea, Chunmee is the tea you might like too. Even though Chunmei is stronger than many other Chinese green teas, high quality tea products, if you brew them properly, will never taste very bitter. However, a slight dose astringency is normal in many green teas. Read how to make green tea taste good here.

What are the benefits of Chunmee green tea?

Chunmeei tea is a nonfermented green tea made from Camellia sinensis leaves. It contains caffeine, catechins, vitamins, and an amino acid L-theanine that may all provide many health benefits. Health benefits of green tea may include weight management, increasing focus, lowering the risk of heart diseases, cancers, Type 2 diabetes and other.

1. Reducing cholesterol

In vivo studies showed that Chunmee green tea may help in reducing total plasma cholesterol[1].

2. Enhancing mental alertness

Green tea contains caffeine and may help boost energy levels and alertness. Studies showed that green tea may even uplift the mood and lower the levels of stress hormone[2].

3. Protective effect against some cancers[3]

Green tea may have potential in the prevention of some cancers[4]. Studies suggest that the protective effect may come from the tea polyphenols[5], although more studies are needed to understand how drinking tea may actually help. A cup of green tea may also provide a protection against harmful UV radiation[6], thus potentially prevent from skin cancers caused by sun exposure.

4. Lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases

A Chinese study showed that everyday drinking of green tea may lower the risk of death related to heart problems[7].

5. Antimicrobial effect

Green tea may be beneficial in fighting some bacterial infections, such as E. Coli or Helicobacter pylori. Except the potential antibacterial effect, green tea may help with fighting different fungi and parasites. [8]

6. Antiviral activity

Some studies suggest that green tea may be beneficial in preventing infections caused by viruses such as influenza or rotavirus[9].

7. Anti-inflammatory effect

Flavonoids in green tea may provide anti-inflammatory effects and help with infections and injuries[10]. Although both green and black tea types may provide benefits, studies suggest that green tea may be more beneficial.

8. Protecting the brain

Studies showed that drinking even a small cup of tea per day (100 ml) may lower the risk of depression or dementia in healthy people. Even a cup per week may be able to improve memory[11]. The surprising part is that not only tea itself may provide those benefits, but the process of brewing too. Brewing tea has always been associated with meditations and peacefulness, taking time for brewing and enjoying and paying attention to small details.

9. Oral health

Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti oxidant properties of green tea may help with maintaining good oral health[12]. Drinking green tea on a daily base may offer protection against cavities and other dental diseases and protect teeth from different bacteria[13].

10. Fighting diabetes

Studies suggest that drinking tea may be beneficial in preventing Type 2 diabetes[14]. Catechins in green tea may reduce the blood glucose levels[15] and help with inflammation. A Dutch study suggested that drinking 3 cups of tea per day may reduce the risk of getting Type 2 diabetes by 40%[16].

11. Weight loss

Although green tea, just as any other herb or supplement is not a miracle weight loss drink, it may help with weight loss and weight management[17]. Studies suggest that those that will benefit the most are those that include regular exercise into their lifestyle, too. Green tea may increase fat oxidation after the exercise[18].

Are there side effects?

Up to date studies showed no adverse side effects from drinking Chunmee green tea. A regular tea drinker, unsensitive to caffeine and with no underlying health conditions drinking 3-5 cups of green tea per day is unlikely to experience any side effects.

How to Brew Chunmee green tea?

To brew Chunmee green tea you will need a teapot with a strainer and a cup, or a mug and a regular infuser or tea filter. Use about 2-3 grams of tea per cup of water. Chunmee is a strong tea and using more may give a very strong cup. Start with less leaves and adjust the amount if needed. Bring fresh spring water to a boil and let it cool to around 185°F. Water temperature for brewing green tea should never be above 194°F. Boiling water will ruin your tea and result in a very bitter cup. Preheat your teaware by pouring hot water in and out. This step will allow for an optimal brew, give you a chance to experience the real scent of dry leaves and clean your teaware from any dust. Place the tea leaves into your teapot or into a tea bag or an infuser. Add water and steep for 1-2 minutes. Start with shorter 1 minute steep and increase the temperature if the brew is too strong for your taste. If you are making a stronger cup, you can add a few drops of milk too. Learn how to brew green tea properly here.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It’s not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Every person is different and may react to different herbs and teas differently. Never use teas or herbs to treat serious medical conditions on your own. Always seek professional medical advice before choosing home remedies.

References:

[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1021949814001501 [2] https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-00398-1 [3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1021949814001501 [4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5481694/ [5] https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/tea-fact-sheet [6] https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/tea-fact-sheet [7] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1021949814001501 [8] https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2018/9105261/ [9] https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2018/9105261/ [10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3401676/ [11] https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-00398-1 [12] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324410840_The_role_of_green_tea_in_oral_health_-_A_review [13] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324410840_The_role_of_green_tea_in_oral_health_-_A_review [14] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5481694/ [15] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3689013/ [16] https://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/tea-and-diabetes.html [17] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19597519 [18] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4517022/