Metabolism-Boosting Tea

Tea is an antioxidant-rich, good source of zenergy, giving you calm energy without the jitters or the crash of coffee. It's also known to be a mood-enhancer. The potential health benefits of tea include smoother skin, faster metabolism and stronger immunity.

Genmaicha is a Japanese green tea with roasted and popped rice. It is recommended by macrobiotic authors. Genmaicha green tea shines a greenish-gold color in your cup. The puffed rice mellows the assertive flavors of the tea, countering the grassy notes with nutty and buttery flavors. It's an easy drinking green tea.

Matcha is powdered green tea. I drink this occasionally. It's sharp and potent. It's an acquired taste for some people. Matcha is a nutritional powerhouse rich in antioxidants, chlorophyll and amino acids. It glows emerald-green in your cup. It's traditionally dissolved into water with a bamboo whisk. The tea becomes frothy with grassy and astringent flavors. Some people like to sweeten their matcha to mellow the flavor. You can also start with less matcha for a milder brew. The matcha powder I like to use is a ceremonial grade, organic matcha. The Encha Company has wonderful matcha as well as step by step instructions and a video on how to properly prepare it. To view Encha's video click here. 

Genmaicha Tea Ingredients 

• 1-2 teaspoons of organic genmaicha loose tea 
• 8 ounces of water

Instructions For Genmaicha Tea 

Boil the water and let cool slightly. Brew the tea with water just under the boiling point. Steep for 2-3 minutes and enjoy.

Matcha Tea Ingredients 

• 1 teaspoon or two bamboo scoops of pure organic matcha powder. Use less of the powder for a milder tea.
• 5-6 ounces of water just under the boiling point

Instructions For Matcha Tea 

Boil the water for the tea. Let cool slightly so it's below the boiling point. Put the matcha into a bowl that measures about 5 inches wide by 3 inches high. Pour the hot water into the bowl containing the matcha powder. Use a bamboo whisk to incorporate the powder into the water. First go in a straight line and then in a zigzag motion, using your wrist to whisk it until frothy bubbles form on the surface. If you don't have a bamboo whisk, you can use a blender or a frother to whisk the matcha into the water. You can find bamboo whisks, bamboo scoops and tea bowls for making matcha on Amazon.

Cheers & Blessings!

xx ~ Jilly