So how about getting in shape? Well benefits of green tea come in many shapes and sizes. "What's next?", I here you say. Well green tea also has a beneficial effect on metabolism. Studies have actually shown that green tea can help you loose weight. What a great way to loose weight sipping on a healthy flavorsome cup of green tea!

It has been shown that green tea health benefits can be gained through teas ability to fight infection and kill bacteria. Green tea can be helpful in protecting teeth, in aiding immune system with it's antifungal properties and by improving digestive function.

The health benefits of green tea have been studied and enjoyed for years in Asian cultures such as China and Japan and now this information is much more widely available in west. We can all now enjoy green tea health benefits and at same time if we choose to actually drink teas we can have a fun and interesting time trying different teas.

To do job properly it's best to buy a water thermometer which will give you a fast and accurate reading. After a while you will get to know roughly how long to leave water before adding it to tea. This will save you from using thermometer all time.

Steeping time is also very important to produce a fine brew. It is very much down to your own personal tastes how long you should steep. Having said that there are guidelines which you should follow and they are often provided with tea you buy. Steep too long and you could end up with a bitter and very strong brew. Steep not enough and you will not get most of out tea.

As a rough guide following timings and temperatures apply;

Green Tea and White Tea 1-4 mins 150-170 F Oolong Tea 1-3 mins 165-195 F Pu-erh Tea 2-10 mins boiling Black Tea 2-5 mins 195 F

In order to appreciate tea as it's brewing it's really good to be able to see leaves as they open. Using a glass cup or pot enables you to do that very well. There are many choices for brewing equipment including Yi Xing teapots, Guywans, infusers, filters and good old cups. It's really up to you to experiment with all different equipment which is on offer.

The most important thing is to enjoy your tea and enjoy company in which you drink it. Don't worry too much about times and temperatures in beginning; there is plenty of time and plenty of tea to discover different techniques of brewing.