What will happen if you smoke green tea?

Green tea is not meant to be smoked, and doing so can be harmful to your health. While there are some traditional Asian cultures that involve roasting and smoking tea leaves for ceremonial purposes, it is not commonly done and should not be attempted without proper guidance and knowledge. Here are some potential risks and concerns associated with smoking green tea:

1. Harmful Substances: Smoking green tea leaves produces tar and other harmful substances that can be damaging to your lungs and respiratory system. Inhaling these substances can cause irritation, inflammation, and long-term health problems like chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

2. Carbon Monoxide: Smoking tea leaves generates carbon monoxide, just like cigarette smoke. Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin in your red blood cells, reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of your blood and potentially leading to hypoxia (insufficient oxygen supply to tissues).

3. Cancer Risk: The combustion of tea leaves releases polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are known carcinogens. PAHs have been linked to various types of cancer, including lung cancer, skin cancer, and bladder cancer.

4. Lack of Scientific Evidence: There is no credible scientific evidence to support any purported benefits of smoking green tea. In fact, the risks associated with smoking green tea far outweigh any potential benefits.

5. Negative Effects on Tea Quality: Smoking green tea leaves alters their chemical composition and flavor profile. The delicate aroma and taste of green tea are lost, and the resulting smoke-flavored tea may not be enjoyable or beneficial.

Therefore, it is strongly advised to avoid smoking green tea. Instead, enjoy green tea by brewing it as a hot or cold beverage, which allows you to reap its health benefits without any of the risks associated with smoking.