Organic GABA Tea (or "Gabaron") Oolong Tea
This unique oolong tea was developed through research in Japan that initially had nothing to do with tea production. In 1987 scientists were studying alternative, natural methods for preserving foods. This research led to the discovery that tea leaves exposed to nitrogen (rather than oxygen) during the drying process dramatically increased (by almost 10x) the level of a naturally occuring amino acid, Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA). This process created a natural tea that could provide some intriguing health benefits from the enhanced GABA levels: provide a balanced focus, reduce anxiety, combat high blood pressure and improve blood flow which can aid athletic performance.*
GABA tea has enjoyed a wide popularity in Japan for over 20 years. Many Japanese include GABA tea as part of their daily diet including serving GABA tea in some schools to promote alertness. There are no established side effects and its naturally calming properties are nonaddictive.
More and more reseach is being applied to tea health benefits in general, and to GABA Oolong tea specifically. One of the first trial studies 10 years ago first shed light on the possibilities of GABA tea concluding that:
"Thus, GABA-rich tea seems not only to decrease the established high blood pressure but to prevent the development of hypertension."
At this point, you might be thinking that GABA Oolong Tea is a little "out there"? Fine for Japan perhaps but too unknown to try here in the U.S.? Not really, the popular Jones Soda Company is introducing a product line of GABA beverages with GABA tea and fruit juices. The "Jones GABA" marketing materials explain:
"GABA is a naturally occuring amino acid produced by your brain that helps to increase alpha brain waves which improve mental focus, balance and clarity. GABA helps people fee centered and in control, leading to a feeling of "being in the zone."
They go on to make the boast that, "It is a refreshing, great tasting drink that allows consumers to perform at their highest potential. Jones GABA is the ONLY beverage with the GABA ingredient in the U.S. market." Well, not really. We have the real GABA Tea at Zen Tara. Organic, 100% GABA oolong tea not diluted with fruit juices or by up to 5 teaspoons of added sweeteners (21 gm.) - and for about 80 cents a cup rather than $2.99 a can.
Our GABA tea is produced by taking traditional Taiwan oolong tea bushes which are harvested by plucking the upper two leaves and a bud. The tea is then withered and in the drying process is placed in stainless steel drums for rolling where the oxygen is removed from the drum and replaced with nitrogen and maintained at a specific temperature in order to create the highest concentrations of natural GABA in the tea leaves. Organic GABA Oolong tea has a green oolong tea flavor profile slightly modified by the nitrogen processing that creates a slight honey/mango sweetness. Like other oolong teas, each cup of tea will allow for multiple infusions of the same tea leaves.
How to Brew Gabaron (GABA) Oolong Tea
Heat water and allow to cool slightly (to 190˚F), add one teaspoon loose leaf tea per cup (apprx. 8 ounces). Allow plenty of room for the tea leaves to expand by brewing straight in the hot water or with a large capacity infuser basket. Infuse the tea leaves for 1-2 minutes depending on taste preference. May be infused 2-4 times.
Oolong teas are traditionally prepared in smaller earthenware or porcelain tea pots and shared in smaller cups using the pot to brew subsequent infusions. Create your own ceremony or prepare the tea by the cup. Don't be afraid to experiment - oolong teas have an incredible range of subtle flavor profiles depending on how they are prepared, how long they are brewed, how pure the water used, etc. and yet they are hardy enough to shine through such a wide range of brewing methods. Everyone finds their own favorite way to prepare and enjoy an exceptional oolong tea.
INGREDIENTS: Organic oolong tea. Origin: Chiang Rai, Thailand.
Other teas you would enjoy: Organic Wuyi Oolong, Dragon Well Green Tea, Mulberry Leaf
A ZEN TARA EXCLUSIVE: Our organic GABA Oolong tea is a Taiwan tea plant cultivar grown in Northern Thailand at the Suwirun Estate in partnership with Taiwan tea experts for over 30 years, certified by the Organic Thailand Program. Our team travels to this tea estate annually to review the growing and processing of their specialty oolong teas. The majority of the exported tea of the Suwirun Estate stays in the country or is sent to Japan and it is rarely available here in the United States.
GO TO: black teas, oolong teas, white teas, flavored teas, herbal teas, chai's, flowering teas, iced teas
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