Matcha ZEN
Tanabata's Famous Green Tea Powder!
For more than 1,000 years the Japanese have been drinking green tea, extolling it’s amazing health benefits and proving to the rest of the world that it contributes to longevity, disease prevention and peace of mind. Green tea is singularly the most important beverage in the East and it is fast becoming popular in Europe and the
According to the ancient Buddhist manuscript, “Maintaining Health,” Buddhist monks chronicled that, “Japanese green tea is a miraculous medicinal beverage for the maintenance of good health. Green tea has the extraordinary power to prolong life. Anywhere a person cultivates tea, long life will follow. Green tea is the elixir that creates the mountain-dweller immortal.”
After years of research and testing, modern science has conclusively documented that the “Camellia Sinensis” plant, of Japan (not the Chinese, Taiwanese or Indian green tea plant) is nothing short of a miraculous, supernutrient life supplement, possessing an abundance of vitamins, minerals, containing the highest source of antioxidants and a variety of potently active, essential health elements. Studies have indicated that we can all benefit from drinking Japanese green tea, on a regular daily basis. The most significant health benefits are realized when green tea is consistently drunk – the body’s absorption of it in is key, not the amount which is drunk (unlike the information that is presented by so-called experts or is offered on-line. 10 cups per day is not necessary – 1 to 2 cups per day, everyday will suffice.)
More specifically, it is MATCHA green tea powder – Japan’s highest order of green tea, used for centuries in the ancient, Japanese tea ceremony, called “Cha no yu,” which has drawn the attention of leading scientists and prominent integrative health experts and wellness professionals, around the world, like Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D.
TRADITIONAL METHOD OF PREPARATION – Using your bamboo scoop, called a “chashaku,” measure about 1 scoop of Tanabata’s Matcha ZEN into a tea bowl, called a “chawan.” Generally, about 2 grams (1 tsp. or so) of Matcha is used, per chawan. (The Matcha may be pushed through a fine strainer, to break up any tiny clumps, beforehand, but it’s not necessary.) It is however essential to always soak your hand-split bamboo whisk, called a “chasen” in hot water for about 5 minutes, before each use, to moisten the fine bamboo spines and prevent any breakage. Gently pour about 1/4 to 1/3 of a cup or 50 ml of fresh, filtered, just boiled water over the Matcha. (Do not over boil or use distilled water.) Using your chasen, rapidly whisk the Matcha in an “M” pattern, until it is dissolved and the surface is frothy, with pale green foam on top. (Start at the bottom of the bowl and then rise to the top, concentrating on fully whipping the top of the tea.) This will oxygenate the Matcha, creating a creamy texture, slighty sweeter taste and encourage faster and better assimilation, into the body. Traditionally, the chawan is rested in the palm of the left hand and cupped around the side, with the right hand, and then it is slowly and carefully turned twice, in a clockwise manner. Lift the chawan to give thanks, as one meditates on the moment and calms the mind, in anticipation of drinking Matcha. Typically 3 separate sips are taken, the last of which is slurped, to show your enjoyment and to signal to the host that you have finished. If after drinking, a small amount of Matcha powder remains at the bottom of the chawan, some more warm water may be added and drunk. One chawan of Matcha tea may be shared with friends or guests and when all have taken tea, one gives thanks to the honoured host. (It is not recommended to drink Matcha on an empty stomach or just before bedtime, because of it’s active cleansing properties, for the liver.) ENJOY drinking this healthful, artistic and spiritual beverage with friends and if possible, try to find a peaceful venue, preferably in a beautiful, garden or natural setting.
Be sure to keep your precious MATCHA ZEN airtight, out of any light and in a cool, dry place. (Our Tea Master recommends storing Tanabata's Matcha and Matcha Sencha - SUPER AntioxidanTEA in the fridge or freezer, to maintain its optimum freshness, vibrant green body and super nutrient-rich efficacy.)
NON-TRADITIONAL METHOD – Use a mug or bowl, instead of a chawan and a blender or shaker, instead of a chasen, use about 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. or more, add hot water and blend/shake well. Try Matcha blended into yogurt, smoothies/power shakes, sprinkled onto ice cream (for the most delicious green tea ice cream you’ve ever tasted – a traditional Japanese treat) or mixed into hot, steamed milk/soy milk, as a “Matcha au lait!” Serve hot or cold, over ice, with some lemon - sweeten to taste, if desired. Matcha Japanese organic green tea powder is not only an amazing healthy life supplement and designated as a "Whole Functional Food," by FOSHU Japan, but can also be used in many creative, gourmet applications and is widely used for specialty anti-aging, aesthetic "Green Tea Therapy" spa facial masks, etc!
"In my hands I hold a bowl of tea. I see all of nature represented in its green colour. Closing my eyes I find green mountains and pure spring water within my own heart. Silently, sitting and drinking, I feel these become part of me. Sharing this bowl of matcha green tea with others, they too, become one with nature and me. That we can find lasting tranquility in ourselves and in company with each other is the lovely paradox that is The Way of Tea." Dr. Soshitsu Sen XV – Tea Master, Kyoto
TANABATA COMPANY ~ "The Art of Japanese Green Tea" www.tanabatagreentea.com TEL (1)-519-803-1406
MATCHA contains a rare, yet important amino acid, called “L-Theanine,” in significant amounts (naturally found in the body, but is depleted over time) which as well as making it a very pleasant, tangy, robust-tasting beverage, also actively relaxes the alpha waves of the brain, creating a sense of calm and clarity, improving memory and sleep patterns, regulating moods, reducing stress levels, relaxing nerves, blood vessels and muscles, has an anti-thrombotic effect on the heart and generally promotes a sense of tranquility.
Most people and even so-called medical experts still confuse the good, high levels of L-Theanine (naturally occurring in Japanese green tea) with the culprit caffeine, which is present in coffee and black tea, in large amounts. This is a common misconception. In fact, one of the outstanding properties of L-Theanine, is that it counteracts the negative effects of caffeine, in the body and this is why Japanese doctors, most Naturopathic doctors, Nutritionists and integrative wellness specialists encourage their patients to drink Japanese green tea, everyday, to encourage longevity, peace of mind and to prevent disease.
Even pregnant mothers and those recovering from strokes and heart conditions are advised to consume more Japanese green tea, for a variety of curative, healing, preventative and relaxing reasons.
Tanabata’s MATCHA ZEN is world famous for its uber freshness, natural, emerald green colour, vibrant energy, potently active health benefits, super nutrient-rich, medicinal phyto-botanicals and superior anti-aging effects! “Matcha Sencha - SUPER AntioxidanTEA,” a combination of both Matcha and Sencha powders is a life-enhancing tonic and both are original, Tanabata “Green Tea Therapy” products, micro-finely ground, alkaline-rich, 100% PURE, green plant fiber, with no added fillers, binders, colour or preservatives. Matcha cleanses and deodorizes the body/bowels of toxins, safely and gently stimulates glutathione in the liver, chelating heavy metals, stimulating the body’s own production of Vitamin C, helping to regulate blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure levels and much more!
JAS/OCIA Organic Certification, elevates Tanabata’s Matcha to the highest quality, freshest, most effective, delicious,
truly authentically Japanese Matcha available, in
tonic, when used regularly!
Green Tea Health Benefits HERE
30g - $35
What's the media buzz about "Matcha!"
