Looking for a beverage that pairs well with your favorite Japanese food here at Sakura Sushi Schaumburg? Look no further than green tea! Green tea pairs deliciously with virtually every type of Japanese food. In particular, green tea complements the nuanced flavors of popular dishes like sashimi, sushi, udon and unagi.
Green Tea Origins & Flavors
Green tea is widely considered to have originated in China, and legend has it that the first green tea was accidentally steeped in 2737 BC during the reign of Emperor Shennong – a popular figure in the mythology of Chinese agriculture and medicine. Nearly since its inception, green tea has been hailed for its health benefits and delicious taste.
Made from the leaves and buds of the Camellia sinensis plant (often called “tea plant”), there are many different types of green tea with different manufacturing, preparation, and blending methods – in fact, there are over 1500 different types of green tea!. Depending on the type of tea and how it’s brewed, green tea can have vastly different flavor profiles, including: clean, sweet, floral, grassy, vegetal, earthy, or light roasted notes.
The most common type of Japanese green tea, called sencha, is particularly known for its rich sweetness and lasting umami flavor – both of which make sencha an ideal choice to pair with a wide range of savory and sweet foods alike. We recommend trying green tea with your meal here at Sakura Sushi Schaumburg All You Can Eat – it will complement and enhance the delicious flavors of your favorite Japanese foods!
Green Tea Health Benefits
You can also sip easy knowing that green tea is one of the world’s healthiest beverages. Just try to stick with unsweetened green tea, since adding sugar will offset the health benefits as well as its natural, delicious flavor. Take a look at some of the many health benefits of green tea:
Heart Healthy - Green tea contains significant amounts of flavonoids and polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that protect the heart by reducing “bad” (LDL) and total cholesterol levels, blood pressure, triglycerides and blood fats. Drinking green tea regularly can reduce risk of blood clots, improve blood vessel function and lower rates of arterial blockage.
Anti Inflammatory - Flavonoids also have anti-inflammatory benefits, and studies have shown that regularly drinking green tea can help a large swath of issues with root causes or symptoms of inflammation, including: acne, skin diseases like psoriasis and dandruff, gingivitis (inflammation of gums), arthritis and more.
Improves Dental Health - Antioxidants in green tea also have bacteria-killing properties, and drinking unsweetened green tea can help protect against cavities, gum disease and bad breath by reducing oral bacteria.
Supports Brain Function and Health - Both caffeine and the amino acid L-theanine present in green tea work together to improve brain function and health. Green tea does not contain as much caffeine as coffee; enough to produce a response but not enough to make for that “jittery” effect.
Reduce Risk of Cancers - Oxidative stress and damage contributes to development of cancer, and many studies have shown that regular drinkers of green tea (an excellent source of antioxidants) are significantly less likely to develop several types of cancer. Lowered risk of other serious health issues and diseases, like stroke and type 2 diabetes, have also been linked to regular green tea consumption.
Helps Promote Weight Loss - Green tea may boost metabolic rate in the short term, and some studies indicate that drinking several cups of unsweetened green tea daily can lead to increased weight loss, particularly belly fat.
Packed with potent and powerful antioxidants, green tea might possibly be the healthiest beverage in the world. Historically, green tea was originally drunk and prized by emperors, gentry, Buddhist priests and scholars. But thanks to global production and distribution, green tea can be enjoyed by anyone for its delicious flavor and health benefits – as well as how well it pairs with your meal!
Enjoy a delicious, antioxidant-rich cup of green tea with your favorite sushi, udon, teriyaki and more, here at Sakura Sushi Schaumburg All You Can Eat!