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Metropolitan Tea
Kokeicha-Ceremony Green Tea
Kokeicha is a specialty
Japanese tea prepared from the fine green tea powder used in tea ceremonies. A
special process whereby water is added to the tea powder, kneaded, extruded
through a machine (similar to making fresh pasta) and finally dried to result in
a “pine needle” like form. Thus Kokeicha translated from Japanese means “formed
tea”. Tea has played and continues to play an important roll in Japanese culture
and the traditional tea ceremony is still maintained as a ritual to this day.
For more than 400 years the tea ceremony or ‘cha no yu’ has been performed
following the same 37 steps that govern every move from the arrival of the
guests to the washing of the cups. In some phases of the ceremony, the guests
may compliment the hostess for the food or in some cases the guest may apologize
to the others for taking the first cup of tea. Purists however insist that the
only sounds during the ceremony should be those of the utensils touching each
other as the tea is prepared and served.
Japanese Green tea contains the following components : (as reported by the
Japanese Tea Exporters Association)
*Theanine:
Anti hypertension action - acts as a relaxant enhancing dopamine release in the
brain
*Polyphenols: Anti oxidants (which are known anti carcinogens) compounds found
in teas.
*Flavonoids: Strengthens blood vessels and acts as an anti-oxidant by combating
active oxygen
*Vitamins: Contains: C, B1, B2, Niacin
*Caffeine: Stimulates activity by reducing fatigue and sleepiness
* Minerals: Iron, Zinc, Manganese
Green Tea Cookies
3/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ¾ cups flour
2 tablespoons ground
Japan Kokeicha Tea
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch salt
Beat butter and sugar
until creamy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Gradually add blended flour, baking
soda, baking powder, salt and ground Kokeicha. Blend well to form soft dough.
Refrigerate for ½ hour then roll out and cut with a cookie cutter. Bake at 400º
F for 8-10 minutes on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Cool on a wire rack.
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