As black tea is still the beverage of choice many people become aware of health benefits the green tea leaf can offer. During fermentation the chemical structure of the tealeaf is altered. This results in the loss of some antioxidant properties. Although the fermented leaf still contains many antioxidants - green tea would be a better choice if one had health benefits in mind.

Green tea is produced when the leaves are fired immediately after picking. In Japan, this is often done by hand with a pound of leaves being steamed at a time. After steaming for 3 to 5 minutes, the leaves are placed on a heated table and rolled, either by hand or by machine to produce the characteristic curl. The leaves are then placed on paper trays over a charcoal fire for a final drying. According to the study, green tea considerably reduces risk of hardening of the arteries. It is suggested that drinking one cup of green tea per day can lower the risk by 96%.A report published in the Archives of Dermatology states that drinking 4 - 5 cups of green tea a day may prevent skin cancer