Kei Nishida's Blog, page 45

Vending Machine Culture and Green Tea Trend in Japan

Japan loves its vending machines (known as jidōhanbaiki 自動販売機, or jihanki for short 自販機) and its green tea, so it's no wonder the combination of both is a hot trend across the country. The Japan Vending Machine Manufacturers Association notes that there is roughly one vending machine for every 23 people; this means there are more vending machines per capita in Japan than in any other country. Surprisingly, even Buddhist temples have vending machines that sell amulets.

Green tea, in its multit...

30 Surprising History About Japanese Green Tea You (Probably) Didn't Know

History tells us that green tea has been a part of Japan's culture for centuries. Today, green tea is still an important part of Japanese culture. If you were to visit Japan, you would find bottled and canned green tea wherever you went. You would even discover the Japanese love green tea ice cream.

It may surprise you to know that green tea in Japan is quite different from Chinese green tea in many ways. However, it was from China that green tea traveled into Japan.

The beginning -  China (F...

How to Cold Brew Japanese Green Tea - The Expert Advice

If you’re a tea lover, why not try cold brewing your next pot of Japanese green tea? Cold brewing might sound complicated if you haven’t tried it before, but it’s actually a simple process, and it results in a uniquely sweet, smooth tea. Cold brewing even offers a number of unique health benefits that you won’t get if you brew your tea with hot water. Keep reading to learn about the process of cold brewing Japanese green tea.

What Makes Cold Brewing Different? Cold brewing, as the name im...

Fresh Cup Magazine Features Kei Nishida's Article - June 2017

Fresh Cup Magazine June 2017 Issue featured Kei Nishida's Article 

Article: The Whole Leaf, Green Tea Inspiration (Page 30) 

Fresh Cup Magazine is the leading coffee and tea magazine distributing more than 180,000 prints a year.

June 2017 issue was 25th year anniversary edition of the magazine.

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 To order back copy of this issue from Fresh Cup Magazine website, click here. 

Fukamushi-Cha (Deep Steam)Green Tea - 5 Reasons Why They Taste Better Than Other Types of Japanese Green Tea

Fukamushi Cha (深蒸し茶), or deep-steamed green tea, is a flavor revelation for green tea fans, and its bolder, sweeter, richer taste can win over those who haven’t yet found a green tea favorite. The very special taste of fukamushi green tea is made possible by steaming the freshly harvested young leaves nearly twice as long as in other green teas, before being rolled dry.

While tea cultivation is found in historical records as far back as the 2nd century BC, the unique methods that produce fukam...

Japanese Green Tea vs Chinese Green Tea - 10 battles you don't want to miss

Chinese green tea and Japanese green tea both come from the same plant: Camellia Sinensis. However in many ways the similarities stop there. From when and how they're processed to the benefits they serve, Chinese green tea and Japanese green tea differ. Which one is "better" is the subject of this battle, comparing each on 10 ranging criteria.

1. History: Chinese Green Tea is the Original Green Tea

Green tea originated some five thousand years ago in China, with the first documented use of it...

Allergy? Hay Fever? Check out Benifuuki - 5 Reasons Why This Green Tea Variety is Booming in Japan

The Japanese are famous for their long lifespans and lower rates of lifestyle diseases, so when something trends for having amazing health benefits in Japan, it's best for us in the West to listen. The latest health secret is Benifuuki Green tea (a.k.a. benifuki), a delightfully bitter beverage that has incredible, scientifically proven benefits. Benifuuki tea is a cultivar of the tea plant that was cross-bred between the varieties Assamica and Sinensis in 1965 in Makurazaki City, Kagoshima,...

Japanese Green Tea - Simply Explained

Brief History of How Green Tea Came from China to Japan

The history of green tea in Japan originated in 805 when Buddhist monks Saicho and Kukai returned back to Japan from traveling in China with young tea trees. In the 12th century, tea seeds were again brought to Kyoto by the famous Zen priest Eisai. Eisai penned one of the oldest books on specialty tea in 1211, a two-volume book inspired by his last visit to China. He describes the positive health effects tea can have on both the mind and...

10 Things about Japanese Green Tea Harvesting You (Probably) Didn't Know

Green tea is central to the lives of everyone in Japan. The culture surrounding the harvest and preparation of these tea leaves is complex and rooted deep in tradition. The green tea harvested in Japan differs in taste and value from the leaves gathered in China and other areas of the world.  Here are 10 things about Japanese green tea harvesting you (probably) didn't know. 

1. The first harvest yields the most desirable and nutrient dense tea leaves of the year.

First harvest, also called th...

10 Reasons Why Green Tea Extract is Bad for You

Green tea is prized for its health benefits, so wouldn’t an extract be even better? Green tea extract is a supplement derived from the green tea plant. The idea behind it is if you process and concentrate a healthy substance like green tea, its positive effects will be boosted. But As the age-old adage goes -- more is not necessarily better. Green tea extract can, in fact, have negative effects on your health. Here are 10 reasons why green tea extract is bad for you:

1. The Concentrated Doses...