World Tea Expo East

Today I attended the World Tea Expo East- conveniently held in Philadelphia, only 10 minutes from my house! I tasted my way through the entire expo and was most intrigued by the Matcha. While my store has never sold Matcha I have been putting it in the smoothies I make at home for the last 2 years because of the high antioxidant content. I picked up a nutritional guide about Matcha at the expo and was surprised to find that 2g of Matcha (with 3oz hot water) has 172% more protein and 94% more potassium than a 3g Sencha teabag (with 3oz hot water)- source: Standard Tables of Food Composition. Also, in 2006 the Toyama University Medicine Research Institute announced that Matcha contains components that help lower blood sugar levels because the key ingredients in the tea leaves are not steeped out of the tea as the entire tea leaf is consumed- source: Hokkoku News, 3/2006.

Memory Enhancer - New Study Results

The Journal of Medicinal Foods published the results of a Korean study which showed memory improvement in those study participants given green tea extract. 91 people suffering from cognitive impairment were either given a placebo or extract. Those that were given extract had increased mental alertness, a significant increase in written-word recall, and showed memory improvement. Just another reason to drink green tea!

More Trouble With Tea From Japan

The tea industry continues to be impacted by the disaster in Japan. The World Tea News reported that French officials seized a tea shipment from Shizuoka city (in Japan) as a result of radiation levels that tested at twice the legal limit. Tests are now being conducted at tea processing plants in Shizuoka city, and of June 21st five tea processing facilities were shut down due to illegal levels of cesium found in tea. Consumers will eventually be impacted since Shizuoka produces over 39% of Japan's annual tea product. It is estimated that the radiation release in Japan was between 20%-40% of the 1986 nuclear disaster in Chernobyl.

Update on Contaminated Tea from Japan

Most people involved in the tea industry have been closely monitoring reports about the tea crops in Japan. World Tea News reported that radiation leaks far exceeded initial reports and contamination in four regions is creating local tea shortages. A Tokoyo tea mail order house found tea leaves from the Warashina district of Shizuoka City exceed cesium limits despite safety assurances.

By World Tea News:
Radiation released in March from stricken reactors in Fukushima far exceeded initial reports. Last week Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare greatly expanded restrictions on tea shipments adding portions of three northern prefectures to the leaf ban following additional tests. The decision already has created local shortages but impact on exports is small.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration is Rejecting Japanese Food Imports Including Tea

Tea imports (along will all other food products) from the four prefectures nearest the Fukushima reactors have been banned by the U.S. and several nations in the European Union. Experts continue to remind consumers that there will not be a significant impact to the Japanese tea industry as the major growing areas are a minimum of 500 kilometers south of the disaster zone in Northern Japan. Read more:
http://www.worldteanews.com/page.cfm/action=Archive/ContentID=184/EntryID=101/nocache=true

Disaster in Japan & Tea

Hi! I have been recieving emails asking how the recent disaster in Japan is impacting the tea crops. According to the World Tea News the tea crops have not been directly damaged but lack of power and transportation will surely cause a distribution issue for retailers around the world.

http://www.worldteanews.com/Content/World-News/3/

Lupus and Green Tea

In the past week I have had five people reprimand me (very politely) about not updating my blog. I figured I better get on the ball! I have been busy experimenting with tea- and finishing my PhD. About 18 months ago I was diagnosed with lupus, an auto-immune disease with inflammation symptoms. Researchers have found that incidents of lupus are lower in countries that consume green tea as a primary beverage. Numerous studies have concluded that green tea helps reduce inflammation. One study conducted by the University of Michigan, and presented at the Experimental Biology 2007 conference in Washington, D.C., revealed that green tea can help people with rheumatoid arthritis prevent joint damage and inflammation. Specifically they discovered that EGCG blocked two important molecules which cause the bone breakdown in rheumatoid arthritis-affected joints. Experts agree that at least four 8-oz cups of green tea must be consumed per day to alleviate inflammation. I have been drinking at least five cups of green tea each day and have even replaced my daily chai with green tea. Here is a recipe for green tea chai that may even convert black tea lovers- plus, it is vegan!

For one 16-oz cup:

1 Tablespoon strong green tea (Gunpowder Green is best)
1 Clove (whole)
1 Tablespoon honey
Dash of cinnamon
12 oz water
4 oz coconut milk
* Mix all ingredients in a sauce pan, except honey, and bring to a slow simmer on medium-high heat. Right before the mixture boils remove from the heat. Pour the chai, using a strainer, into a mug. Stir in the honey.