“ GREEN TEA"

                               I lived in Japan for five years.
                  

 and  gratefully experienced  the cultural pleasures of fresh tea, green tea to be exact. Funnily enough, the first green tea in Japan was produced in the Fukuoka prefecture where I was living.  

  The location was famous for it warm pleasant climate and rich volcanic soil which made it perfect for growing tea. YES, I was living on the island of tea, glorious tea and in every mall or  street corner there  were a myriad of tea tasting stalls and restaurants.
                    No wonder I'm mad about tea!

                              
The horticultural landscaping is especially stunning during 
     the Springtime, where thatched houses and perfectly 
               manicured tea fields abound as eye candy.  
Local and cultural visitors are likely to be awestruck with 
         the picturesque beauty of the green surroundings.

Of course, the beauty of Cherry Blossom season  also is a gift.

It takes your breath away.

                                                           (pictures taken in Arita, Japan)
More and more green tea is being consumed due to it's health benefits. Thankfully it has less caffeine than black tea so you can enjoy two or three cups before getting that caffeine high, or headache as I call it.   
                       Check here for more information about tea. 
                                                       (www.teapause.com )

     Tea is the second most drinkable beverage in the world 
        and fortunately we have many different flavors and 
                               aromas  to choose from. 
     It isn't hard to find a favorite tea fix in this day and age,
         but sometimes you have to ask the question: 
                                    Do I like green tea?

                                  
Matcha tea seems to be everywhere these days. In Japan, the tea ceremony is not reserved for just high class circles, all people and visitors seem to find this beverage as an acquired part of their daily life. 

                                                                    (via Pinterest)

   I was lucky enough to have a special Friend' "Hiroko", 
          who re-created the ceremony for my birthday. 
       She had all the traditional bowls and untensils, 
            which are commercially very expensive. 
While I do enjoy my tea "  big time."... Most of us, might find it a difficult decision to pay $100 - $200.00 for a ceramic  
      " Chawan" labeled tea ceremony bowl. ( Yikes)

        In Japan the tea ceremony  is a highly spiritual practise designed to promote, tranquility, harmony, respect and purity.
             The authenic tea ceremony is a beautiful, once
          in a lifetime visual experience that last for hours.
                            
         The actual ceremonial steps for the tea making 
                           are quite humble and simple.

                                           To Begin:
                    You thoroughly clean the "Chawans" and 
                                         boil the water,

                                                                 (www.teapause.com )

                                                               then,
              you  serve a sweet treat to guests before the tea,
                                            ( yummy)

                                                                       next,
                   you mix powdered bitter green tea( Matcha) 
                        and water to make the frothy tea, 
                             and serve it to your guests.

                          ( My sweet friends, Carmen from Argentina and Hiroko/Japan)

In Japan, tea has quite an impact on religion, philosophy, poetry, architecture, flower arranging, painting and the arts and crafts which include art carving, carpentry and pottery.

Tea is also an important past-time from my early childhood, 
          so I too, feel influenced by it's history and rituals.

                                 You all know that,
               I'm a bit of a collector, so before I left Japan,
                I splurged on an authenic handmade teaset.


             I
           love 
 the bold  floral 
     artwork  
          and 
      vibrant 
  green colors of 
this  ceramic ware.





                    It's not everyone's cup of tea( ha ha) 
        Asians, normally prefer a more muted palette but 
                    it certainly put a smile on my face.

       I acquired two friendly little teapots in this collection. 

        Could you could resist this  cheeky little one cupper?

        The pretty duo( below) made me think of lotus blossoms

I  just couldn't decide upon the saucers, so I purchased a 

variety of both the rattan and wooden leaf styled patterns. 

Ladies ,whenever you come over for a " Green " teatime, you may have your own sweet choice of both a teapot  and a teacup. The only prerequisite is that I am able to enjoy your company for more than one cup of tea.

                                      

                                            ENJOY 
                                    A 
           HEALTHY AND  HAPPY WEEK