Green Tea Leaves

Green tea leaves come from the Camellia sinensis plant, native to East Asia. They are processed minimally, typically by steaming or pan-firing, to prevent oxidation and preserve their natural compounds. Green tea is consumed as a beverage worldwide and is also used as an ingredient.

Green tea leaves are added to foods and beverages primarily for their distinct flavor and potential health-promoting properties. They are commonly found in bottled teas, iced teas, tea bags, and sometimes in chocolate, baked goods, and confectionery.

Green tea is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food. It contains antioxidants, such as catechins, which are studied for their potential health benefits. Regulatory bodies like EFSA have evaluated green tea and its extracts. While generally considered safe, high doses of green tea extract supplements have been linked to liver issues in some rare cases, though this is not typically a concern with consumption of green tea beverages or foods containing green tea leaves.