Matcha for me
Steve of Kafeneio pointed out to me the health benefits of matcha, so I got a kit: bamboo spoon, sieve, bamboo whisk, whisk stand, and bowl, along with some matcha. It came yesterday—and I could have had it sooner by getting the components at Whole Foods, which also carries it, but I’m an on-line sort of guy.
Last night I had my first two cups. It tastes very good—sort of like wheat grass: a fresh, green taste. I cannot get the foam right yet, but it’s early days. And I do like it: quite refreshing and quick and easy to make (since I don’t do the whole ceremony thing).
Well worth a try. I checked out some YouTube videos on making matcha to see the whisking technique in action, but I’m still struggling.
Michael,
Have you tried Chinese Pureh tea? It’s good for digestion and also weight loss so they say. I just like it for the taste. When you get in to it you find there’s hundreds of different blends/varieties. It’s viewed in a similar context to fine wines.
Tony The Blade
14 February 2013 at 8:11 am
Yes, I also like Pu-erh tea (also spelled Pu’er), which requires water at the full boil. I particularly like those varieties pressed into little bird’s-nest shapes.
More info here, for those interested.
LeisureGuy
14 February 2013 at 8:22 am
You had the matcha tea at night? You’re a braver man than me! I’ve had it in the afternoon and it left me buzzed and hyperalert all day. Couldn’t think of doing it at night. I’ve read that it’a also good as iced tea (with a little sweetener if you’re allowed). My main challenge right now is fitting it in with my large morning Greek coffee (we call it the “defibrillator”). It raises my agitation threshold so high that any additional caffeine during the day sends me into shakes and heart palpitations. I love the matcha, but I also can’t do without my Greek coffee. Dilemma.
Steve
17 February 2013 at 2:39 am
The caffeine in tea doesn’t seem to affect me the way caffeine in coffee does. If I have a lot of tea at night it might keep me up a little, but just a little doesn’t seem to bother me enough to notice. But generally I have it at mid-morning. (Black tea with breakfast.)
LeisureGuy
17 February 2013 at 9:01 am