Tag: Japanese tea

Guest Posts

Guest Post: 10 Interesting Historical Facts About Matcha

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Matcha has many health benefits.

Today, matcha green tea has grown its popularity and can be easily accessible to tea lovers through cafes, ice cream shops, and restaurants. Even fast-food chains have started offering matcha flavoured desserts.

The tea is considered a popular commodity for the youth and a sought-after alternative drink for health enthusiasts.It’s no secret that the tea powder has high concentrations of nutrients, antioxidants, and essential amino acids.

It has a vital antioxidant called EGCG or Epigallocatechin gallate and a crucial amino acid called L-Theanine, which is a stress-relieving flavonoid that contributes to the tea’s taste.While it’s common knowledge that matcha is of Asian origin, there are many exciting things about it that you might have never heard of.

Continue reading “Guest Post: 10 Interesting Historical Facts About Matcha” →

Japanese Cuisine · Pop Culture and Japan

The Dos And Don’ts Of A Japanese Tea Ceremony (According To A Legendary Samurai)

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A traditional Japanese tea ceremony is one of the most important aspects of Japanese culture. A celebration of harmony and the transience of life, the tea ceremony can be a transformative experience, and like many traditions, the ceremony was a crucial part of the samurai lifestyle.

In addition to being fierce warriors, samurai were meant to be cultured and poetic. They placed great value on the Zen nature of the tea ceremony and believed it needed to be carried out in a certain way. The famous samurai Umawatari Bogyu was one of many warriors who adhered to strict tradition, and in his opinion, the tea ceremony could only be enjoyed under a set of specific rules. Continue reading “The Dos And Don’ts Of A Japanese Tea Ceremony (According To A Legendary Samurai)” →

The Kokoro Files

The Kokoro Files: Danielle Geva

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Feeling connected to a different culture can be an eye-opening experience. It enables us to broaden our horizons and gain an alternative perspective on the world. The Kokoro Files shares stories about people who feel connected to Japan, and in Danielle Geva’s case, she developed a passion for Japanese tea.

An entrepreneur, author and owner of a successful Japanese tea brand, Danielle was kind enough to share her thoughts about how travelling to Japan influenced her life. Continue reading “The Kokoro Files: Danielle Geva” →

Poetry

Elixir

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The day oba-chan taught me how to read sencha leaves

Is the day I discovered my calling in life

It started with watching the leaves float

On the surface of cups filled with tea

Each direction leading to a different outcome

 Soon I was able to predict where every path was going

Divine the nature of a man simply by rolling sencha through my fingertips

I predicted good fortune in matcha

Saw the way to calm storms in hojicha

I could even tell you the exact year your life would end

By staring at the patterns of genmaicha

But that kind of foresight comes with a price

The more tea I consumed

The greater my addiction became

At my lowest I was craving an IV drip of caffeine

I stopped doing readings

Switched to decaffe

I may not be able to see the future anymore

But at least I can live in the present