Paint My Tea Green

It cannot be denied that tea beverage is now ruling the beverage market alongside healthy coffee, soda and fruit juices. There are actually three varieties of tea. Of all the variety of teas, the green tea is the most popular and widely consumed.

Green tea comes from the leaves of the plant named Camellia Sinesis, which is then processed through oxidation and fermentation to produce four major types of tea: green, black, white and oolong. Compared to the black tea and the oolong, the green tea is the least processed. Because of this, it contains the most antioxidant called antipolyphenols. Notably green tea contains catechin named epigallocatechin-3-gallate or known to be EGCG., which is considered as one of the responsible for the health benefits of green tea.

Even in the field of medicine, the benefits of green tea are a major contributor. There are many claims of what a green tea can do to human health. Some of these claims had been proven while others are under extensive scientific studies. Archaeological evidence shows that green tea exists for almost 5000 years now. From that time, benefits of green tea had already been used for medical purposes, from simple aches to severe illnesses.

However, not everything about the benefits of green tea is good. Like healthy coffee, contains caffeine, though in a very minimal amount. With just one third of the caffeine you can get from coffee, still it can cause insomnia if taken excessively. Because of the health benefits of green tea, it is now being considered not just to be a beverage but a supplement. Though there's much that can be taken from green tea, moderation should still be practiced.

Coffea Excelsa: Drought Resistance Coffee

Excelsa (Coffea excelsa L.) was discovered around year 1904. This coffee produces coffee beans that are very aromatic in nature, analogous to Coffee Liberica.

Coffea Excelsa is similar to Liberica except for its smoother, thinner and more rounded leaves with smooth edge. The young leaves are usually shiny with bronze-violet color. The flower are large and white, with 4-5 petals. The coffee beans are borne in heavy cluster, varying in size and usually bigger than Arabica but smaller than Liberica. Also berries are ovoid and little compressed having a flat form.

This is one of the types of coffee which can tolerate drought and is very resistant to diseases and pest. Bearing commences after 4-5 years from transplanting. With proper management practices a hectare of this species can yield 1,000kg/year or more of green coffee beans

Coffee Liberica: Kapeng Barako

Coffee Liberica is one of the types of coffee that is native to Liberia and West Africa. It produces the biggest coffee beans among the coffee groups. It is characterized by a very strong pharmacopical taste and flavor.

Liberica coffee trees are upright with straight trunks; they grow to a height of about 9 meters. The leaves are thicker than that of Excelsa's and twice as long as that of Arabica coffee and are leathery in texture. This species of coffee is tolerant to drought and can grow in a wider type of soil.

Although it’s considered as no great importance in coffee trade, this species of coffee is a major crop in the Philippines because most Filipino coffee lovers prefer the superior and pungent aroma of these coffee beans compared to other kinds. It contains a considerable amount of caffeine so Filipino people refer to it as “kapeng barako” or strong coffee. If not roasted, these type of coffee plant may be toxic to some and too much consumption can caused insomnia and nervousness.