FAQs

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What is Brassica™ Tea with SGS?                 

Brassica™ Tea with SGS is gourmet Chinese Sencha full-leaf natural green and black tea with 15 milligrams of SGS (sulforaphane glucosinolate) extract from broccoli added to each tea bag. It is available in six varieties, two of which are decaffeinated.

Is Brassica Tea decaffeinated?                                   

Green and black teas naturally contain caffeine; however, Brassica offers decaf versions of each.  The decaffeinated varieties are naturally decaffeinated through the Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) decaffeination process. This method uses only pure CO₂ gas to decaffeinate our teas. This process avoids the chemicals typically used to decaffeinate and is certified organic by two independent organic associations. The Carbon Dioxide process removes the caffeine while keeping the flavor in the tea. 

Is the tea organic?                                    

Brassica Green and Black Teas are not organic at this time.  However, because the tea is plantation grown, it is 100% natural and pesticide-free.

What is the difference between green and black teas?                  

In general, black and green teas are not different types or species of teas. The majority of teas are harvested from the same plant (Camellia sinensis). The individual characteristics of these teas results from the distinctive processing methods used for each that gives them their color and flavors. Black teas are the most common teas in the U.S. Fermenting produces these teas, and exposing tea leaves to air produces tea leaves of a deep reddish brown color with a concentrated flavor.  The leaves are then dried and packaged. Green teas are the most common teas served in China and Japan. These teas are not fermented like black teas. Instead, these leaves are simply heated, then dried to produce the lighter green colored leaves.

What other benefits are available from tea?                                  

At the present time, the FDA does not allow a meaningful health claim on tea.

Are the health benefits of green tea greater than black tea?                                    

Green and black teas are made from the same plant, so they offer similar health benefits.

What is the lemon and orange flavoring?                                    

The lemon flavor in our teas comes from a natural mixture of lemon peel, lemongrass, lemon balm and essence of bergamot. The orange flavor comes from a natural mixture of orange peel, safflower petals and natural citrus oils.  Due to the nature of natural flavorings, there may be some variation in the flavor.

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Tea Preparation

How should I prepare the tea?                                    

We recommend steeping tea for two minutes for mild tea, or three to five minutes for full flavor. Care should be taken on steeping time because bitterness can result if tea is steeped for longer periods of time. Additionally, longer brewing releases more caffeine. Green tea is typically more bitter than black tea.  Therefore, brew green tea for only two minutes. For stronger green tea, we suggest using more tea rather than steeping for a longer time.

How much tea should I drink? Can I "overdose" on the SGS - are there any negative side effects?                  

You can consume Brassica Teas like you would any other tea. There is no known evidence that SGS can be over-consumed. Based on many studies performed, we have not seen any adverse side effects of large doses of SGS. We suggest drinking two cups per day, which will provide up to 72 hours of proven, powerful protection of this long-lasting antioxidant.

Does the amount of SGS depend upon how long you let the tea bag steep?                                    

Our quality analysis shows that after steeping the tea for 2 minutes the majority of the SGS is present in the tea. Steeping for longer than 2 minutes will not increase the amount of SGS significantly.

How much SGS is in each tea bag?                                    

Each tea bag contains 15 milligram of SGS extract. When brewed, a cup of tea gives you the same amount of SGS that you would receive if you were to eat 3 ounces of average adult broccoli. (Broccoli varieties vary considerably in SGS content, so this is an average.)

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What is SGS?                                    

SGS stands for sulforaphane glucosinolate, which is the naturally occurring antioxidant compound found in broccoli and broccoli sprouts that gives them their excellent antioxidant properties. SGS was identified by scientists at Johns Hopkins Medical School and has been extensively studied at Johns Hopkins and other reputable laboratories around the world for its health properties. SGS is heat stable (heat does not damage it) and water soluble (it dissolves in water).

How does SGS become sulforaphane?                                    

When broccoli and broccoli sprouts are chopped or chewed another compound called myrosinase is released, and reacts with SGS, breaking it down into sulforaphane. Sulforaphane then reacts with one’s immune system to boost the body’s cellular processes and antioxidant and detoxification activity.

How do you make the SGS and how do you put it into the tea?                                    

The SGS used in Brassica Teas is an extract of broccoli, using a safe water-extraction method, which results in a dried powder with very little odor and flavor. It is produced from domestic broccoli and processed in North America.  The dried extract is completely natural and contains no chemicals or preservatives. The powdered extract is then mixed with the tea as it is added to tea bags. The amount of the SGS powder in each tea bag is small, but potent. We carefully monitor and random test the tea bags to ensure that the right amount of SGS extract is in each tea bag.

Does the presence of SGS have any effect on the other ingredients?                                    

To the best of our knowledge, SGS has no effect on the other ingredients in the tea.

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Tea Production and Availability

Where is the tea produced?                                    

The tea used in Brassica Tea comes from China. Brassica Teas are produced by Baltimore Coffee and Tea Company (www.baltcoffee.com), a maker of specialty tea and coffee; the SGS extract is mixed with the tea in the United States.

How much does the tea cost?                                    

A box containing 16 tea bags retails for approximately $5.95.  When ordering tea by the case, wholesale pricing is available for as low as $3.00 per box.

Where can I buy Brassica Tea with SGS?                                    

You can order directly from Brassica at www.brassicatea.com or by calling the Baltimore Coffee & Tea Company at 1-800-823-1408.  Brassica Tea is also available at health food stores across the country.

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Health and Science Questions

Since tea is neither chopped nor chewed, how does the SGS break down?

The company was able to make the glucosinolate stable for this extract, which is then converted to sulforaphane by intestinal microflora.

Because of a thyroid disorder, I’m told to avoid broccoli. Should I avoid the tea as well?

The SGS extract in the tea does not contain any goitrogenic compounds.

Does Brassica Tea contain Vitamin K?                                    

We have not been able to measure the amount of Vitamin K in Brassica® Tea.  Accurate analysis is extremely difficult and unreliable because Vitamin K is not water soluble.  We believe Brassica Tea contains very little Vitamin K.  However, certainly discuss this with your physician.

How much I3C/DIM is in your products?                                    

Indolymethyl glucosinolate converts into indole 3 carbinol (I3C) that can boost either phase 1 (activation) or phase 2 (detoxification) enzymes, depending on the metabolic pathway it takes, and therefore can either activate or deactivate or carcinogens.  Sulforaphane glucosinolate, when converted into sulforaphane, boosts phase 2 enzymes that deactivate free radicals.

There is quite a bit of literature on the anti-cancer effects of I3C, but it is mixed in its results. Depending upon whether a cancer is in its incipient phase, it can either help or hurt.

Our products contain only SGS which we know is a mono-functional inducer – can only induce phase 2 detoxification enzymes, whereas I3C is a bi-functional inducer and, as noted above, can boost both types, depending upon the clinical situation.

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What is the value of antioxidants?                                    

Oxidation is a chemical reaction involving the element oxygen. To simplify, exposure to charged particles of oxygen theoretically leads to the deterioration of human cells and DNA somewhat in the way that an apple slice turns brown. But as cooks know, brushing the apple slice with lemon juice, which contains acidic antioxidants, will retard the process.