CELEBRATE GREEN

Celebrate this March with a tea tasting for a group of friends featuring green tea and snacks made with green tea! Most of the world’s green tea comes from China and Japan.

Popular green teas from China include Gunpowder (a strong-bodied tea with rolled leaves that resemble pellets), Dragonwell (a yellowish green liquid with a sweet grassy taste), and Hyson (An earthy tea with slightly curled green/grey leaves).

Japan produces green tea almost exclusively, but because it is a nation of tea drinkers only about 2% of Japan’s crop is available for export including Sencha (A fresh tasting relaxing afternoon tea with a hint-of-the-sea taste), Gen mai cha (green tea combined with roasted and puffed brown rice), and Gyokuro (Japan’s finest tea with a very smooth, sweet taste and deep green leaves).

Try several different green teas for your tasting party, but remember they taste best when loose leaves are prepared with water that is cooler then boiling – approximately 170 degrees or when little bubbles like fish eyes form on the surface of the water. Steep for only 2-3 minutes. If you cannot find a variety of green teas locally, try Rishi, TeaSource  or Divinitea online.

Try pairing the teas with some of these green tea recipes:

GREEN TEA CHEESE WRAPS: Combine 8 oz cream cheese, 1Tbs finely ground green tea leaves, 2 tsp drained and rinsed capers and 2Tbs minced chives. Spread on prosciutto and warp around asparagus spears.

TEA LEAF PINWHEELS: Brew 1bs loose leaf Gunpowder Green Tea 2-3 times, strain and reserve the tea leaves.  Cream together 8 oz softened cream cheese, 1/2c melted butter, 1 tsp parsley and onion, plus 1/4 tsp oregano, garlic and chives.  Add the tea leaves and refrigerate 2 hours.  Spread onto flour tortillas and roll up, wrap and refrigerate overnight.  To serve, cut into 1/2 inch slices.  Garnish with paprika.

GENMAICHA BUTTER COOKIES: Cream 1c butter and 1c sugar, then add egg and mix well. Add 2½c flour, 1Tbs Genmaicha Green Tea Blend and 1tsp baking soda, then 1tsp almond extract. Roll into two logs, wrap & refrigerate overnight. Slice and bake at 350 degrees for 10 mins.
FOR GLAZE: Combine 1 c sifted powdered sugar, 5 tsp of hot brewed Genmaicha Green Tea Blend, and 1/4 tsp of almond extract in small bowl. Drizzle over cooled cookies.

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
I Peter 4:8-9