Tea infusers are popular because they are easy to use and have a low cost. The problem is knowing which one to buy, because they come in all sorts...
Vitamins in Green Tea
Most of the time we hear about EGCG and L-theanine content in green tea, but what about vitamins? Vitamins aren’t as sexy because they are old news and we...
How to Dry Used Tea Leaves
The Japanese have been dealing with used tea leaves for so long that they even have a name for them: chagara (茶殻). If you brew loose-leaf tea daily you’ll...
What’s the type of green tea served at Japanese sushi bars?
In Japan, the traditional green tea served at sushi bars is called agari (あがり). Do you know what type of Japanese green tea is it? It’s konacha. Mainly because...
Experiment: How Much does Water Cool when Pouring?
It’s not easy to tell what the water temperature just by looking at it. Say that you are going to brew gyokuro, so you’re aiming for 60ºC (140ºF). How...
Umami: The Fifth Taste
Imagine that you’re reading a tasting note for a Japanese green tea and this comes up: “Sweet with a deep umami flavor…”. You’ll end up wondering what umami is....
How to Make Green Tea Jelly
Jelly is fun. I make jelly with fruit pieces inside about once a month to eat at home, and sometimes I make jelly shots if there’s a party. I’ve...
Caffeine: The Popular Stimulant also found in Green Tea
By judging the popular products available we can conclude that in general, people like caffeine. Coffee, tea, chocolate and even soft drinks contain caffeine. The stimulating property of caffeine...
How to Make Your Own Roasted Rice for Genmaicha
I love genmaicha. The roasted rice adds a nutty flavor and aroma that combines perfectly with green tea. This tea is popular in Japan, where it has a long...
Green Tea Allergy: Is it Possible?
I’ve always been very allergic. Dust and pollen makes me sneeze, have a stuffy nose, and itchy eyes. Two common medications: aspirin and ibuprofen, make my eyes swollen. As...
L-theanine: Why Drinking Green Tea is Relaxing
Did you know that only the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) and a few others contain L-theanine? The characteristic flavor of green tea is due in large part to this...
EGCG: The Amazing Antioxidant Found in Green Tea
If you’re interested in the health benefits of green tea, then you must first learn about EGCG. I want to explain to you what EGCG is in the simplest...