If you simply want to cut back on coffee or find yourself approaching the 400-milligram daily recommendation for most adults, green tea is a great alternative, containing at least three times less caffeine than a 12-ounce cup of joe. Switching to green tea can be particularly beneficial if you find that coffee gives you headaches, makes you anxious or leaves you jittery.
Along with being a coffee alternative, green tea also has plenty of health benefits that can give your body an extra boost.
Where green tea comes from
Green tea has a long history dating back to about 3000 BC in China. Its beginnings as a medicinal beverage led to green tea becoming one of the world's most popular drinks; the global tea market is now worth over $300 billion.
Green tea is an unoxidized tea that comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. It grows in Asia, primarily in China and Japan. The tea leaves are plucked and then heated to prevent oxidation and preserve catechins, a natural flavonoid compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Leaves are then rolled and dried, though the processing method can differ depending on the region.
Matcha, Moroccan mint and jasmine are just three popular types of green tea. xPacifica/Getty Images
A few popular types of green tea include:
Matcha
Sencha
Moroccan mint
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