March 2009
Simple pleasures of life are too often neglected, like a cup of green tea and the relaxation and peace of mind it offers. Tea has been a social centerpiece and pleasure for centuries. It was introduced to Japan in the 13th century from China and became immensely popular as it pleased, balanced, and uplifted. In Japan tea was refined, and was so revered that samurai put aside their swords before entering a tea-room. The pinnacle of green tea is matcha, stone ground powered green tea leaves that are whisked to life in a tea bowl. Its health benefits are renowned and gain affirmations regularly the world over.
This simple pleasure, matcha, was transformed into the traditional Japanese tea ceremony that is a complexity of formality, ritual, aesthetic, theater, and philosophy. The immense value of matcha has been buried in this ceremony for far too long. This quick and easy to make, pleasurable and remarkably healthful beverage affords access to well-being so surely and simply that it deserves your immediate attention. We strongly urge this and guarantee your complete satisfaction and delight.
You can spend the rest of your life studying the Tea Ceremony, as some choose, or simply get an EDEN Matcha Tea Kit and be immediately rewarded.
Everything Needed and Required
The Matcha Tea Kit provides everything necessary to prepare and enjoy matcha. The matcha and whisk are absolutely essential, and frankly rather rare. The bowl and small spoon complete the set and allow the matcha experience immediately.
EDEN Organic Matcha is the highest, ceremonial grade green tea powder from the Aiya Tea Company. Since 1888 they have been cultivating and preparing green tea Camellia sinensis. There exists no finer matcha than that from Aiya.
Shade screens protect young leaves from harsh direct sun. Precious early spring leaves are hand harvested when most tender. They are immediately steamed and rubbed protecting their brilliant green color. The leaves are dried, and stems and veins are removed. Small granite mills (12 inch diameter), 1,400 of them, grind the leaves into delicate emerald powder. It takes one hour to grind 30 grams, one can, of Matcha per mill set.
Tea bowls are wider and deeper than teacups and facilitate matcha whisking. The glazed earthenware tea bowl is handmade in Japan. The matcha spoon or scoop is perfect for matcha measuring, bear in mind a one gram serving is a desired dose and requires a heaping scoop. The matcha whisk, handmade from a single piece of bamboo, is for whisking. The bristles, 80 of them, dissolve the matcha in hot water to frothy beverage. Aiya tea company supplies both these tools of untreated bamboo. These fine utensils will last for years when properly cared for. After each use simply hand rinse with cold water and air dry.
The Organic Matcha Tea Kit comes with a video and DVD telling the history of matcha and showing how to prepare the matcha tea.
Pleasing Hot or Cold
Matcha provides a delightful experience, mental clarity, and peace of mind. Its earthy green is chlorophyll rich. Matcha embodies remarkable health benefits. We know that green tea has an exceptional reputation as being healthy, very good for you. This has been accomplished in spite of the fact that when it's used, 99% of it is thrown away after the tea leaves are steeped. In taking matcha we consume 100% of the cleaned green leaf and get full benefit from all of its powerful phytonutrients. About 40% of green tea's dry weight are antioxidants including polyphenols, tannins, and flavonoids such as epigallo-catechin gallate (EGCG). Collectively they are called catechins. Researchers at the University of Kansas found green tea antioxidant levels 100 times more potent than vitamin C and 25 times more effective than vitamin E. Green tea also facilitates metabolism of body fat.
When drinking hot matcha the whole leaf is consumed directly from the tea bowl. EDEN Organic Matcha is also delicious in cold drinks such as fruit juice and ice tea. It is an excellent and easy addition to cooled treats such as fruit smoothies and kanten. Visit edenfoods.com/recipes for great ideas on how to enjoy matcha.
