Organic Okinawan Tea

The Healthy Lifestyle of the Okinawans

Okinawa is technically a cluster of 57 islands southwest of Japan, with the main island of Okinawa the largest land mass. For centuries, it was the Ryukyu kingdom, but today, it is a prefecture of Japan.

The Okinawan people have long been the subjects of tremendous medical research, especially in the areas of obesity, longevity, and senior health. One of the most popular research projects is the The Okinawa Centenarian Study, launched in 1976. A combination of factors contribute to the incredible good health and activity of more than 800 centenarians studied, including:

• A healthy diet of lean protein, soy, fruits and vegetables, and rich green tea.
• Frequent, gentle exercise.
• Mindful eating habits, such as stopping when 80 percent full.
• Improved cognitive ability.
• Lower cholesterol.
• An integrated health-care system that incorporates both Eastern and Western philosophies.
• Genetics.

The Facts on Organic Okinawan Tea

There isn’t really an organic Okinawan tea.

All green tea comes from the same plant. Camellia sinensis is primarily grown in China. But, Japanese families farm organic versions as well, mostly in Kyoto, not Okinawa, at least, not commercially. The green tea plant contains polyphenols, a substance with antioxidant properties, and catechins, a nutrient that stimulates the breakdown of fat cells, so it contributes to overall good health.

But it is not the incredible beauty or weight-loss elixir touted in numerous advertisements. In combination with many of the wellness factors listed above, it is possible for an individual’s metabolism to be slightly stimulated by drinking large quantities of green tea, such as five or six cups a day. Depending on the manufacturing process, there are still scant amounts of caffeine in green tea, hence the boost to the metabolism, which may aid weight loss.

An “organic Okinawan tea” is simply a green tea blended with other additives, such as jasmine tea or flavoring, goya, and other types of tea.

So it’s best to avoid claims of miracle cures and focus on finding high-quality teas that you enjoy and that may also add to your overall wellbeing. Tea is more than just a beverage: it is a custom and an experience.

The Importance of Tea

Tea is an Okinawan’s primary beverage. There are often many types of Japanese teas in a typical household: one used as an everyday tea, another that’s a step up from that to enjoy after dinner; and even a celebratory Japanese green that is used to honor guests and for special occasions. The most popular tea is a sencha green tea, produced by first steaming the leaves, and then drying them, to stop fermentation.

The Japanese tea practice is not one of hurry-up-and-rush, either. Some teas may take as long as five minutes to steep, and it is customary to examine the steeped leaf on a special dish, compare the color of the liquid to the leaf, and inhale the aroma, just as you would a fine wine, before drinking.

Learn more about the types of Japanese tea.

Finding Quality Organic Teas

Here are some of the most popular manufacturers and distributors of fine teas.

• Yogi Tea – This manufacturer produces a number of different organic teas, and the website extends an offer of free samples.
• Numi Tea – Started in 1999, this company has quickly become a respected manufacturer of exotic and organic teas.
• Gong Fu Tea – An online teahouse with more than 130 varieties of tea and specialties that the owners find while traveling.
• Tea Palace – Based in London, this store houses as many as 150 teas.