What Exactly is Bancha Tea?

Bancha is one of the most popular green tea in Japan. The word bancha means "raw" or "unprocessed."

Bancha green tea is made from mature tea leaves and stems and is delicately pan-roasted to provide a nutty, sweet flavor.

Tea is picked four times in Japan during the growing season, and bancha, which translates to "final tea," is made from the older, coarser leaf from the last plucking.

Is Bancha the Same as Twigs Tea?

It’s an open secret that all tea varieties come from the same plant.

Yes, you read that correctly. All tea, whether black, green, or white, originates from the Camellia sinensis plant; much like all wine, the difference comes from the ripeness levels of the leaves.

Bancha tea is made from leaves, but Kukicha twig tea is a mix of stems, stalks, and twigs. Usually, these leftovers are thrown away, but kukicha is created when they are kept, roasted, and steeped in water.

Twigs tea has been a traditional remedy for cough, cold, sore throat, and flu-like symptoms. In addition to these benefits, kukicha twig tea is rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene.

10 Health Benefits of Bancha Tea

Want to know more about twigs tea, don't worry; we will share a detailed blog on kukicha tea benefits. For now, let's stay focussed on Bancha tea. Here are the 10 most important benefits of bancha green tea.

1. Improves Digestion

One of the significant benefits of drinking bancha tea is that it helps improve digestion. According to Japanese researchers, people who drank bancha tea had more digestive enzymes than those who did not drink it. These enzymes help break down food in the stomach and aid in releasing hormones that stimulate appetite.

2. Fights Colds & Flu

Drinking bancha also protects against the flu and the common cold. According to a study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, catechins found in bancha tea may be able to kill the influenza A virus.

3. Boosts Immunity

Catechins are compounds that boost the body's Immunity. This compound is found exclusively in Bancha twig tea. Some studies also suggest that catechins may increase the number of white blood cells and fight infections. In addition, they may reduce inflammation and prevent the risk of cancer.

4. Blood Pressure Regulation

High blood pressure is a severe problem for many people today. It is linked to increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure. The Catechins in Bancha tea has been reported to reduce blood pressure.

5. Heart Disease Protection

Atherosclerosis, heart attacks and stroke risk are increased by builds up inside the arteries. Bancha tea lowers cholesterol and decreases the formation of plaque. Bancha tea is also rich in flavonoid antioxidants. Flavonoids have been shown to lower cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health.

6. May Help Prevent Breast Cancer

Cancer is caused by abnormal cell division. Bancha tea contains high catechins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, which act as anti-cancer agents. Experts also believe that catechins in the tea may inhibit the growth of tumor cells and prevent them from spreading.

7. Digestive Tract Support

Our digestive tract performs several critical functions. One function is to break down food and extract nutrients. Bancha tea supports digestion by increasing stomach acid production and decreasing the number of harmful bacteria.

8. Weight Loss

Weight loss is a primary concern for millions of people. Many people try different diets and exercise programs without success. However, some studies suggest that drinking bancha tea can aid weight loss. Bancha tea may also promote fat oxidation and thermogenesis. Fat oxidation means breaking down fats, while thermogenesis refers to burning calories. Both of these processes make it easier to lose weight.

9. A Natural Diuretic

Bancha tea is a natural diuretic that helps flush out toxins from the body. Our bodies begin to retain fluids when we drink less water. A diuretic like Bancha Tea helps to eliminate these unwanted fluids.

10. A Natural Pain Reliever

When you have a headache, taking some bancha tea may help reduce the intensity of your pain. According to research conducted at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, drinking bancha may relieve headaches caused by brain inflammation.

And that's not all. Bancha tea is a sleep enhancer too. According to a study, drinking bancha tea lowers insomnia risks.

How Do You Make Bancha Tea?

To make bancha tea, you'll need to follow a few simple steps.

●       First, you'll have to prepare a pot of boiling water for steeping your tea.

●       Next, you'll want to add your tea leaves to the boiling water.

●       Once the tea leaves have steeped for approximately five minutes, remove them from the hot water and place them on a plate.

●       Then, add the remaining water from the pot to the plate.

●       Finally, enjoy your freshly brewed tea!

There are several different ways to brew bancha tea:

You can use either loose tea leaves or tea bags. When using loose leaves, you'll want to choose a type of tea that has been fermented. Fermented teas tend to be stronger than unfermented ones.

If you're using tea bags, you'll want to select a bag that contains dried leaves. Dried leaves are often less processed than loose leaves.

Downsides of Bancha Tea

While the effects of bancha tea are generally positive, there are some potential side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, mild headaches, and loss of appetite. All of these side effects are connected to the caffeine content of this tea.

Although rare, regular consumption of bancha tea may make you sweat excessively. The caffeine stimulates the body's nervous system in Bancha tea, which can cause rapid breathing and an increase in blood pressure. Consequently, some people may experience frequent sweating.

How to Intake Bancha Tea

Here are some ways to consume bancha tea:

1. Drink it hot

To do this, pour 4 cups of boiling water over one teaspoon of bancha and let it steep for 20 minutes. Strain and serve it hot.

Drinking bancha tea straight out of the pot is common among people who drink it regularly. Drinking it at room temperature may even make it lose its medicinal value. It would be best if you always drank it hot to get all the benefits it provides.

2. Use it as a beverage

You can use bancha tea as a base ingredient in your favorite beverages. Add two tablespoons of bancha tea per cup of water and brew it for 5-10 minutes before adding any other ingredients. To add flavor, try using cinnamon sticks, ginger, orange peel, lemon, mint, or rosemary.

3. Make soup

If you don't want to drink bancha tea, you can still enjoy its benefits by making soup. Mix two cups of water with 1/2 cup of bancha tea and boil over high heat for about 10 minutes. Then, strain and serve.

Final Words

So there you have it. You now know all about bancha twig tea's health benefits. Let's get a quick recap. If you are looking for some excellent reasons to add bancha tea to your diet, here are they:

●       First, it helps reduce anxiety and stress.

●       Second, it provides relief from headaches.

●       Third, it helps improve sleep quality.

●       Fourth, it promotes good digestion.

●       Fifth, it helps increase physical endurance.

●       And finally, it helps promote weight loss.

Try making yourself a cup of bancha tea today and experience its benefits !