Green tea was brought from China and has been extensively cultivated in Japan. Although it is now one of the most popular beverages in Japan, it was once so precious that only a select few, such as monks and nobility could afford its pleasures.
Thanks to the efforts of Eisai, a twelfth century Zen monk, green tea was introduced to the public, and samurai warriors and common people began to enjoy the new drink. Chinese people have long known of the health benefits of green tea and used it medicinally. When Eisai was introducing the effect of drinking green tea, he professed, “A medicine is for one disease only, but green tea is a kind of panacea that can prevent and treat all sorts of ailments.”
Subsequently, green tea has taken root in Japanese society as a specialty item. Recently, it has once again attracted a lot of attention as a health-promoting beverage, with many benefits. We hope you enjoy drinking green tea to your heart’s content.
