day 183: Sencha Green Tea

Over two years ago, I gave up coffee. What started as a lenten sacrifice, became a lifestyle choice. As I research the health benefits of drinking tea (tons of antioxidants), I strive to make it a part of my daily ritual. Now, I have at least one cup of tea a day. As for coffee, I've had 1/2 a cup since my fasting, and it made my heart race and my hands shake. I decided then and there: I was done with drinking coffee.

I started out like many of you: I drank Celestial Seasonings herbal teas. As I delve deeper into tea culture, I've found an entire world of tea apart from herbal tea. If you would like more information about tea, visit these pages:

Facebook Tea Page

Intro to Tea Video

On Tuesday, I went to a Japanese sencha green tea tasting at Lupicia in Century City. There are three main types of green tea produced in Japan: sencha which is unshaded, gyokuro which is shaded, and matcha which is shaded and then powdered. A few things you should know about green tea are: temperature & steep time are very important. A bitter tea can be rendered if you don't prepare it correctly. Sencha is bright in color with a clean finish and a taste somewhat reminiscent of seaweed.

We started out with an Kawane Yuuki 2009, which is an organic tea, it was very light both in color and in taste. We then moved on to Miyazaki Sakimidori 2009, it was crisp and smooth. (I thought it was great for the price and the taste) The third tea was Uji Yabukita 2009, Uji is a region known for the tea. Charles, our tea master/brewer, told us Uji to tea is the same as Bordeaux to wine. The fourth steep was Omaezaki Yabukita 2009, I didn't take any notes on it. I guess that speaks for itself. The Chiran Yutakamirdori 2009, it's was also a light-flavored sencha out of the Chiran district in Japan. The last tea was a Yame Hoshino Himemidori 2009, out of the Yame tea district in Japan. Yame, Fukuoka is notable after Uji, Kyoto. It was the most expensive and full-bodied tea. I would highly recommend this tea if it's within your budget.

Now I'm still learning about tea. I hope that the information presented here is some what accurate.

day 149: volunteer

I've been volunteering w/ Project Angel Food. I feel like I'm the onion and broccoli girl. Every time I volunteer I'm chopping broccoli or onions. I will be master chopper! I am pretty handy with a knife now.

day 086: a good start

Snap, crackle, pop and a cup of green tea w/ honey is a perfect way to start the day. I wasn't always a breakfast eater, but after much research on the issue: it boosts your metabolism. Why would you skip it? It's a no-brainer. It may take a few tries until you find what is right for you.

I also enjoy oatmeal w/ raisins & soy milk, granola w/ greek style yogurt & blueberries, honey smacks with soy milk, or an english muffin & two egg whites w/ tomato & onion. Give breakfast a chance. :)

day 078: tea

Two years ago, I gave up coffee and soda for lent, and started drinking tea. Lately, I have become an avid tea drinker, and I'm not talking about the tea bags (I do have some bagged tea), but the loose leaf tea. I've been to a few Asian markets and have found some nice oolong, green and pu-ehrs ($$). I encourage everyone to drink tea for the health benefits. If you need your caffeine fix, try a black tea. Just remember it's all about water temperature and steep time, it can be bitter tea if you don't have these right.
Silk Road Teas

day 056: cupcakes

I remembered that Bianca gave me two cupcakes yesterday, and they are beautiful, but don't show the creativity & concept of the whole collection. I can't believe I didn't take a picture. This afternoon I enjoyed one with a green tea Mochi.

I'm sure if you wanted, she would make cupcakes for your next party.

day 003: antioxidants

Oprah recommended writing down three foods that you will no longer buy and 3 foods that you will buy. Well all of the foods I won't buy, I can't and haven't bought in months. So that list is already compiled, but I did write down the foods that I wanted to buy more of: berries. Blueberries to be precise, because they are filled with antioxidants. The list also contain beets and broccoli. Please come over and you will be treated to fresh berries. :)