How to Grow Your Own Green Tea

Green tea is the most sought after variety for weight loss. In today's world, where toning the body and losing weight happens to be the sole aim of every person, this wonder tea serves the purpose. It is a healthy drink, made from the oxidized leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant.

It first became famous in Asia (of course, it all started here with China, Japan, and Korea) and now bears an undisputed popularity, all across the world for its various health benefits. There are many assorted varieties available in stores today, which make a healthy and complete morning and evening beverage for you.

However, there is another idea! You can grow a green tea plant at home. Sounds good, right?

Growing a green tea plant is not as mettlesome and difficult as you think. And the people who are quite interested in gardening, will be only too happy to have their own plant at home. Before you start, let me tell you, that patience is a key ingredient to grow this plant. The plant must be at least 3 years old, for the leaves to be used for making the drink.

1. Get some green tea cuttings. These are available in local greenhouses, from where you can buy them.

2. Plant the cuttings in a sandy soil, which is slightly acidic in nature. Make sure you replenish the soil with organic seaweed fertilizer supplements.

3. The soil should be further supplemented with mulch, composting, and moisture, to keep the weeds and dryness away. If you are staying in a hot and dry climatic region, it is advised to water the plant regularly.

4. In case, you are living in an apartment and are keen on growing this plant at home, then the plant can be potted. However, if the plant is potted, make sure to add sphagnum moss for a healthy growth.

1. Once the leaves start showing green, pluck out the terminal leaves with a few buds.

2. Dry the leaves in the sun for a few hours.

3. Steam them in a pan for about 15 minutes. Temperature of steaming should be 500 ºF. Keep sautéing the leaves in the pan to prevent them from getting burnt, or one can also cook the leaves as vegetables.

4. Dry the leaves by putting them in an oven for approximately 10 minutes. Temperature should be regulated to around 225 ºF.

5. Store the dried leaves in an air tight container, in a cool dry place.

6. To have a refreshing cup of green tea, all you have to do is brew the leaves and drink it like any other tea.

The leaves can be flavored as well, during the preparation. During the steaming process, one can add slices of fruits like apple, lemon, pineapple, cantaloupe, etc., and enhance the flavor with a tangy taste!

A very important thing to remember here is, if you have got the seeds of the plant, then you might have to wait for more than 3 years to get a fresh plant for harvesting. Hence, it is advisable that you get the stem cuttings of this plant.

There are many benefits of this beverage, which includes boosting metabolism, relieving stress, losing excess weight, and reducing risks of cardiovascular and respiratory ailments.

Due to its antioxidant properties, it is recommended as a morning and evening drink and with its varied fruit flavors, it definitely comes across as a tasty beverage. So, go plant a green tea plant in your home and reap good health benefits.