Matcha fever is taking over the health food scene and for good reason. The neon green powder is full of antioxidants and blends gloriously into just about any recipe. In these raw matcha macaroons, the green tea powder brings earthy accents to an already healthy and delicious snack. Enjoy!

Why Matcha?

Matcha is a millennium-old tradition in Japanese ceremonial tea culture. It is made from nutrient-rich young tea leaves that have grown in shade for about 20 to 30 days before harvest. The shade stimulates increased chlorophyll and amino acid levels and turns the leaves a darker shade of green. The tea leaves are then picked, stemmed, and de-vined before being stone-ground into a very fine powder. The powder is then stored away from light and oxygen in order to maintain its vibrant green color and nutritional properties.

Unlike regular green tea, matcha green tea is consumed wholly in its powdered form, instead of as water infused with the leaves. For this reason, matcha green tea offers the body more caffeine (about 35 mg per half teaspoon) than regular tea and more (approximately three-fold) antioxidants than other green teas. Meanwhile, an amino acid in matcha called L-Theanine, feeds only a small amount of caffeine to the body for hours on end, so you don’t experience the energy crash you normally would with regular tea or coffee.

Matcha Uses

Matcha green tea powder has a grassy, lightly bitter taste – a more intense flavor profile than regular steeped green tea – but is extraordinarily delightful, especially when paired with a healthy sweetener (think: stevia) and vegan milk (think: frothed homemade almond milk).

The best part about matcha is that it extends beyond beverage form. It seamlessly mixes into other dishes, particularly homemade sweets, without compromising texture. In this macaroons recipe, matcha adds a touch of its iconic flavor to the unsweetened shredded coconut, coconut oil, coconut milk, and coconut syrup. Plus, you don’t need to bake or dehydrate these treats before noshing away.

Matcha Macaroons Recipe: Tips and Preparation

For this matcha macaroons recipe, it is important to have a food processor on hand as it does all the work for you and can help you to finish making this recipe within seconds (literally!).

Select shredded coconut that is unsweetened and vibrant in flavor. I’ve realized that shredded coconut varies vastly in the intensity of flavor, from one brand to the next. Oftentimes, I am left with dull-tasting coconut flakes that do nothing for my recipes. Do some shopping around until you find the coconut flakes perfect for your palate. Because coconut flakes play such a large role in this recipe, you want the best quality you can find.

I like keeping all the ingredients coconut-based, from the sweetener to the milk, but you can swap ingredients for the sweetener and milk components based on what you have available. Honey and agave can replace the coconut syrup while nut milk or even water can replace the coconut milk. (Note: honey is not vegan.)

Also, instead of scraping the insides of a vanilla bean, you could use one teaspoon vanilla extract in this recipe.

Raw Vegan Matcha Macaroons Recipe

Makes 15 to 20 macaroons

Ingredients

• 2 cups + ½ cup shredded coconut
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
• 3 tablespoons coconut syrup
• 2 tablespoons coconut milk
• 1 vanilla bean, scraped (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
• 2 teaspoons matcha green tea powder (my favorite brand: Encha)
• Dash of sea salt

Directions

Add two cups off the shredded coconut into a food processor and blend for a few minutes, or until the coconut flakes turn into a paste.

Add in the coconut oil, coconut syrup, coconut milk, vanilla, matcha, and sea salt.

Blend for an additional 30 seconds, or until the ingredients are just combined.

Add the last one-half cup of coconut flakes into the food processor and pulse a few times. This step will add texture to your matcha macaroons.

Use clean hands to roll balls out of the mixture. Depending on the size you make the macaroons, the number of servings will vary. Place the macaroons on a baking sheet and pop the sheet into the refrigerator to cool and harden the macaroons for about one hour.

Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator if you do not consume them all right away.

Related on EcoSalon
Matcha Green Tea: Putting Other Teas to Shame
7 Unusual Benefits of Green Tea You Need to Know About
20 Unusual Uses of Green Tea

The post These No-Bake Matcha Macaroons are Your New Vegan Snack BFF appeared first on EcoSalon.

Whether you are a regular tea drinker or turn to tea when the weather cools, there are some must-have tea accessories to make your tea sipping most magical.

Hot tea can be your wake-up drink in the morning or part of your bedtime routine in the evening. From Earl Grey to chamomile or green tea to honeybush, your cuppa can benefit from the addition of tools to help you create a better cup and to simplify your tea making process.

If you are just the occasional tea drinker, tea bags and a cup of water heated up in the microwave just might do the trick for you. But for more serious tea aficionados for whom tea is at least a twice or thrice daily ritual, that just won’t work at all, and tea-making tools of all kind are requirements. From infusers for loose tea to electric tea kettles with temperature settings, the marketplace is full of excellent tools to make your next cup of tea a truly sublime experience.

Read on to discover tea accessories you never knew you needed–until now! You just might make the switch from tea bags in the microwave to infused loose tea brewed to perfection.

Must Have Tea Accessories

1. Tea Infuser

Tea infusers of various styles are vital for those who prefer to use loose tea. Using loose tea is more economical and is usually of a higher quality than tea bags. This universal infuser can work with a variety of cups, mugs, and even teapots.

2.Tea Travel Mug

Drink your tea on the go? This travel mug might be ideal, so you no longer have to drink over-brewed tea. This mug only works with tea bags or pouches, though.

3. Infuser Tea Mug

An all-in-one infuser mug is ideal for those who enjoy loose tea, but not the extra step of using a teapot. The porcelain mug even comes with a lid to keep your tea warm while it’s brewing that also doubles as a handy stand for the infuser.

4. Teapot

If you plan on making more than one cup of tea, either a second cup for yourself or a cup for a friend, a teapot is a must. And there’s no need for a fussy teapot when this modern stoneware pot will do just nicely.

5. Teapot Warmer

And when you do make a pot of tea, a tea warmer is a handy tool to help keep the tea left in your pot warm. It’s a simple design that only requires a tea light candle to produce the warmth.

6.Electric Tea Kettle

An electric tea kettle makes the work of boiling water a cinch, but this temperature select kettle is the bee’s knees.  It heats the water to the perfect temperature for the kind of tea or infusion you are making. Black tea can take on boiling water while other types of teas are too delicate. For example, white tea is best brewed with water that is 175 degrees.

7. Tea Ball

A tea ball is another handy dandy loose tea infuser. It’s best to have several infusers on hand in your kitchen (or more, depending on the number of tea drinkers in your home and how often you do the dishes).

Related on EcoSalon

How to Throw a Perfectly Lovely Afternoon Tea Party
7 Unusual Benefits Of Green Tea You Need to Know About
15 Inspirational Quotes About Tea

Cup of Tea Image via Shutterstock

The post 7 Must-Have Tea Accessories for the Perfect Cuppa appeared first on EcoSalon.

Green tea has long held reign in the superfood group. Are you getting your daily dose? Try upping the ante with natural products that include green tea for skin.

You’ve been told of green tea’s benefits for better health. Did you know there are ways to get in on the advantages aside from just drinking the stuff?

The hype over green tea is far from over. Look at how its latest incarnation, matcha, has taken over.

We know that green tea in the diet is a major boon to health. It is related to health benefits for everything from the heart and brain, to preventing Alzheimer’s disease. But this powerhouse is also good for skin.

Green tea is packed with natural antioxidants which help to ward off free radicals, working to prevent disease and sun damage. Its anti-inflammatory effects help to reduce puffiness and tone down irritation. These hallmarks make green tea beneficial to all skin types, including sensitive and mature.

Ready to bring it on? You may be wondering how to get your skin some green tea, pronto. Yes, you can brew and cool the tea, and spritz directly onto skin as a calming toner. Or you can stock up on some quality green tea-infused skincare and makeup products. Let’s take a look.

6 Products Containing Green Tea for Skin

1. Let green tea’s soothing action take down puffiness and dark circles in Dr. Alkaitis Organic Eye Crème. Super potent but mild on delicate eye area.

2. Get the green goodness in Tata Harper Lip Treatments. Each contains a healthy dose of the tea extract to protect against skin aging and environmental damage.

3. Brush on the benefits daily with W3LL People Purist Mineral Blush. Also contains skin calming aloe and chamomile.

4. Cleanse with green tea? Absolutely! YULI Halcyon Cleanser is pH balanced and clears the skin gently.

5. Treat skin post-cleanse to YULI Modern Alchemist, a powerful anti-aging oil combo. Works like prescription retinol creams without the harsh side effects.

6. Exfoliate, perfect, and protect skin at once with Qet Botanicals Matcha Green Tea Body Polish. Made with olive and coconut oils to keep skin soft and hydrated.

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

Related on EcoSalon:

3 Anti-Aging Secrets Straight Out Of Hollywood

Dragon’s Blood: New Miracle Anti-Aging Skincare Ingredient or Spoils of Dragon Slaying?

DIY Skincare Guide: 15 Essential Herbs for Natural Beauty

Image of green tea via Shutterstock

The post Green Tea for Skin: Our Top Superfood Cosmetic Product Picks appeared first on EcoSalon.

Matcha green tea’s vibrant green powder tastes a lot like green tea, but it offers more potent and meaningful health benefits. 

Matcha green tea is a fine powder green tea native to Japan. Matcha green tea tastes like green tea, only a bit more full-bodied. In one gram of matcha green tea there are 34 milligrams of amino acids, 14.26 milligrams of L-theanine, 35 milligrams of caffeine, 318 milligrams of fiber, 447 milligrams of carbohydrates, 1.75 milligrams of vitamin C, 291 units of vitamin A, 26.6 milligrams of potassium and just 3 calories. Each gram also contains 105 milligrams of catechins.

Matcha tea and stylish accessories retailed Matcha Source was founded by Alissa White, who is a huge proponent of matcha tea and its life-changing benefits, both on the inside and out. Alissa says, “Drinking matcha in concert with eliminating or reducing sugar is a powerful way to clear up your skin and promote your inner glow. Its highly alkaline and the chlorophyll in it helps to remove heavy metals from the body. Thus matcha naturally eliminates body odor. Try iced-matcha in the summer instead of iced-coffee for a hydrating pick-me-up.”

What is in the matcha tea to make it so beneficial? Catechins. Catechins are a type of antioxidant found in tea, red wine, chocolate, berries and apples. Part of a molecular family called flavonoids, catechins function as antioxidants – they protect the body from free radicals and play a prominent role in everything, from heart disease to cancer to aging.

A diet rich in catechins reduces body fat and may be useful in the prevention and improvement of lifestyle-related diseases, most notably obesity. It has also shown to aid in the prevention of age-related disorders, such as artherosclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. The catechin most active and abundant in matcha tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg). EGCg has shown in clinical applications to reduce inflammation, improve skin cell health, treat arthritis, control blood sugar levels in the body, suppress tumor promotion, improve survival rates of bladder cancer patients, lower the incidence of breast cancer and prevent and treat lung, pancreatic, skin and stomach cancer. Each gram of matcha green tea contains 61 milligrams of EGCg.

Matcha green tea is available in powdered form, which makes it particularly beneficial to the body. When you drink matcha tea, you ingest the entire leaf, receiving 100 percent of the nutrients of the plant. (This is unlike brewed green tea, in which you ingest the water that leaches nutrition from the leaves but not the leaves themselves.) Matcha powdered green tea boasts three times more antioxidants than regularly brewed green tea. It’s safe to say that matcha offers unparalleled nutrition, especially with regards to its antioxidants. It completely runs other antioxidant powerhouses to the ground. Its oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) is valued at 1,573 units per gram, while goji berries, pomegranate, blueberries, acai berries, broccoli and spinach hold only a 253, 105, 93, 60, 31 and 12.6 rating, respectively.

So, how do you get started? Alissa says, “I recommend starting with one-two teaspoons of powder in the morning. See how you feel.  You can add a second serving in the afternoon or add a little more powder to your morning ritual.  Matcha does have a caffeine but it’s also rich in L-Theanine which is a natural mood enhancer.  Part of the lore of the tea is that Buddhist monks drank it prior to meditation because the caffeine kept them alert while the theanine kept them calm.  The result is a gentle sustained lift lasting several hours.  Perfect for work or play. Matcha is full of fiber and can help kick start your system if you are sluggish.  Be sure to drink plenty of water if this applies to you. Some of our Matcha Source customers, drink it 2-3 times a day and can’t imagine a day without matcha tea!”

Try Matcha Source’s classic grade organic morning matcha tea to get started. Matcha Source works with farmer and growers who have been cultivating premium quality matcha teas for centuries.  Tea, like wine, is impacted by quality of soil, water and climate. In addition to location, or terroir, the handling of the leaf during production is also critical for creating rich tasting smooth creamy matcha tea flavors. Matcha Source teas are shade covered at end of harvest to enrich chlorophyl production. At harvest they are hand-picked, steamed, air dried and then ground on hand-carved stone grinding wheels. The early harvest selections are blended by tea masters for ultimate mouth feel and incredible flavor. Also all matcha is shade covered at end of harvest for three weeks. This is a critical step in creating the unique nutritional profile of authentic matcha. There are other “green tea powders” on the market but they are not shade covered and do not have the same benefits or flavor.

Watch Alissa prepare matcha tea so you know how to do it yourself in the comfort of your own home.

Related on EcoSalon

20 Unusual Uses for Green Tea

7 Unusual Benefits of Green Tea You Need to Know

15 Inspirational Quotes about Tea

Photo Credit: cyclonebill

The post Matcha Green Tea: Putting Other Teas to Shame appeared first on EcoSalon.

These are the perfect accompaniment to a tea party of any size. Whether it’s high tea at three o’clock for the ladies or a tea party for your budding princesses, these teanies add unparalleled nutritional perks. In addition to vitamin C, chromium, zinc and magnesium, Matcha tea contains unique and powerful antioxidants called catechins, which counteract the effect of free radicals, a cause of DNA damage. I also add hemp seeds to the batter and the frosting to bump up the protein, omega-3, omega-6 and phytonutrient content. Just some added health insurance.

Makes 24 mini-muffin-size teanies

Ingredients

Teanies

24 mini paper baking cups
2½ cups all-purpose gluten-free flour (see page 13)
2 teaspoons Matcha green tea powder
1 teaspoon sodium-free baking powder
¾ teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon guar gum
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
¼ teaspoon coriander powder
½ cup grapeseed oil
1/3 cup coconut nectar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/8 teaspoon stevia powder
¾ cup water
¼ cup unsweetened plain rice milk
1/3 cup hemp seeds

Frosting

1 cup hemp seed butter
¼ cup coconut nectar
1/8 teaspoon green Matcha tea powder
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a 24-cup mini muffin tin with mini paper baking cups.

To make the teanies, whisk together the flour, Matcha tea powder, baking powder, baking soda, guar gum, salt and coriander in a large bowl. Make a well in the middle.

Add the grapeseed oil, coconut nectar, vanilla and stevia and stir to combine. Next add the water and rice milk, and stir until the liquid is absorbed and the batter is smooth. Stir in the hemp seeds and mix well to distribute evenly.

Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling the cups to the top.

Bake the teanies for 13 to 14 minutes, or until they are a light golden brown around the edges and bounce back slightly to the touch. Rotate the muffin tin from front to back after 10 minutes of baking.

Transfer the muffin tin from the oven to a wire rack and let sit for about 15 minutes before removing the teanies to cool completely.

To make the frosting, mix together the hemp seed butter, coconut nectar, Matcha tea powder and salt in a small bowl and stir to combine.

Frost the teanies when they are completely cool.

Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Information Per Serving (1 teanie):
180 calories, 8 g total fat, 0.0 mg cholesterol,
16 g carbohydrates, 80 mg sodium, 2 g fiber,
3 g protein, 7 g sugars

Related on EcoSalon

Seasonal Vegan Pear Quick Bread Recipe

Easy No-Bake Açaí Berry Truffle Recipe

Raw, Refined Sugar-Free Caramel Apple Recipe

Image via Debbie Adler

The post Unmatchable Matcha Tea Teanies Recipe appeared first on EcoSalon.

From sunblock to liver cleansing, we celebrate 20 uses of green tea you may never have known about.

Green tea is hailed as an antioxidant-rich, anti-aging phenomenon. With reports that regular green tea consumption can lower the risk of heart disease and certain cancers, it’s a popular drink among the health conscious. However, green tea is more than just a cup of tea. Here are 20 unusual, thrifty and eco-friendly uses for green tea that will surprise, challenge, and excite you.

Dark Circles and Puffy Eye Relief

After you’ve enjoyed a cup of green tea – or two – let the tea bags cool and place one over each closed eye. Tea contains polyphenol particles known as tannins. Tannins are an astringent and are able to shrink living tissue, including human skin. Green tea bags can reduce swelling and tighten the skin around the eyes by reducing the dilation of the blood vessels under the eyes.

Irritation and Redness Alleviation

Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce redness and irritation. Steep a few bags in boiling water. Allow the water to cool and soak a washcloth in the water. Wring the washcloth of excess water and use the rag to pat irritated or red skin.

Facial Scrub

Take advantage of green tea’s skin-tightening ability and use it in a facial scrub. With the addition of water and white sugar, you are not only infusing the skin with the benefits of green tea, but also exfoliating it to a smooth finish.

Teeth Health Boost

According to a research study published by Preventive Medicine, drinking one cup of unsweetened green tea could increase teeth health. People between the ages of 40 and 64 who drank one cup of green tea per day were less likely to lose their teeth. According to the study, antimicrobial molecules called catechins are the reason for this effect. Grab a green tea infused toothpaste off pharmacy shelves or be sure to get your daily dose of tea.

Weight Loss Aid

According to a 2009 study by the Department of Human Biology, Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht, the catechins in green tea proved to significantly decrease body weight an as well as maintain body weight after a period of weight loss. This is good news to those looking to shed a few pounds.

Bleeding Reduction

The tannins found in green tea help stop bleeding by coagulating the blood. Steep a tea bag in hot water, remove it after one minute, and then let it cool. Place the tea bag on top of the bleeding area or dip gauze into the tea water and apply the gauze to the gash. You could also use a green tea extract for application.

Sunburn Treatment

While green tea does not block UV light, it protects exposed skin cells from damage. Studies have shown that when green tea is directly applied to the skin, it helps to protect the skin from sunburn and skin cancer. You could apply a green tea extract to the skin or a cooled cloth that was soaked in brewed green tea. Drinking green tea regularly a few weeks prior to sun exposure can also reduce the possibility of skin damage, due to the tea’s powerful antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate.

Fridge Odor Elimination

Sometimes things can get a bit stinky in the refrigerator. To counteract an odor that just doesn’t seem to budge, take a handful of green tea leaves and place them in a thin cloth bag or cheese cloth. Place in the refrigerator. The leaves will absorb the odor and render your fridge fragrance-free.

Humidity Reduction

Much like it reduces odor, green tea also diminishes ambient humidity. Take a thin cloth bag full of green tea leaves and hang it in a room or area of your house that collects too much humidity. The leaves absorb the moisture.

Silk Worms Fodder

Got silkworms hanging around? Feed the harmless little creatures leftover green tea leaves. Apparently, what goes around comes around – it is said that silkworm extract is a natural aphrodisiac.

Wrinkle Reduction

The potent antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate found in green tea prevents the activation of collagen-digesting enzymes called matrix metalloproteinase. These enzymes are what causes wrinkling of the skin. Green tea also has anti-inflammatory properties that assist in preventing wrinkles and fine lines. By applying lotions and creams with green tea extract or drinking the tea on the regular, you can steer clear of premature aging and the onset of wrinkles.

Carpet Cleaning

Take a handful of moist, but not wet, green tea leaves and scatter them across the carpet. The tea leaves attract dust, so vacuuming is twice as effective.

Foot Bath

Soak your feet in a strong green tea brew to get rid of foot odors. Green tea is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. It also helps to get rid of bad smells.

Plant Water

Green tea is packed with antioxidants and is a great way to improve the health of plants. Soak tea leaves in water for a few days, remove the leaves, and then use the water to fertilize plants.

Liver Protection

Everyone’s liver could use a little help these days. Given the toxicity of our environment and diet, even if we live as eco-conscious and healthy as possible, our lifestyles still take a toll on our livers, which processes just about everything you ingest and absorb. The antioxidants in green tea help us to prevent liver disease as well as to boost the overall health of our livers.

Lingerie Freshening

Place green tea leaves in a thin cloth bag and toss it into your lingerie drawer. The leaves will absorb any odor and leave your precious apparel fresh and ready to rock.

Anxiety Remedy

An amino acid called theanine is found in green tea leaves and it is thought to give a relaxing and tranquilizing effect on the body.

Acne Treatment

Due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antioxidant, and anti-fungal properties, green tea is a powerful anti-acne treatment. Find a moisturizer or cleanser with green tea extract or take the homemade route and simply rub green tea leaves on your face and body before rinsing.

Deodorant

Dab green tea water that has cooled to your underarms and you can avoid a smelly summer afternoon. It’s a cheap and effective way to battling the effects of heat and stress.

Ice-Cream Flavor

Oh, how surprisingly delicious green tea ice cream is! Many Japanese restaurants feature a green tea ice cream on their menus. Considering all the benefits of the green tea, we have yet another excuse to indulge in dessert. Order it or try your hand at a homemade version.

Aylin Erman currently resides in Istanbul and is creator of plant-based recipe website GlowKitchen.

The post 20 Unusual Uses for Green Tea appeared first on EcoSalon.

We recently had Peter Ingwersen, founder of Noir on record, saying, “Technology will save us all. I think that man-made fibers are truly amazing and will be the new hot thing in eco-materials. We will all need to overcome our prejudice that natural made fibers are more eco-friendly.”

Not to worry, Peter, you know as well as I do that there are mad scientists, I mean pioneers, out there pushing the boundaries for all kinds of fabrics. Take this new one made from tea, of all things.

The fabric is grown in a soup of green tea, sugar and other nutrients, over the course of several days. Bacteria is then added to the solution to produce “long filaments of cellulose that clump together to form thin mats of fabric that float on the top of the mixture. Once dried, this becomes become see-through and similar in appearance to papyrus. However, it can be treated, dyed and molded to produce different textures and effects,” says the UK’s Daily Telegraph.

The project is led by Suzanne Lee, a senior research fellow and designer at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, who has already used the material to make clothes. This has inspired Professor Paul Freemont and Professor Alexander Bismarck, materials experts at Imperial College in London who are furthering research on the fabric “using synthetic biology techniques by introducing the genes needed to produce these cellulose sheets into other bacteria.” More details are outlined on the project’s website, Bio-Couture.

There’s just one problem: While the fabric is extremely tough, apparently it really stinks.

“It doesn’t have a very nice smell at the moment though because it is produced by bacteria, but we are trying to overcome that. There is still some way to go before it can be used as a standard item in the high street,” says Freemont. “These are projects we need to think about because of the impending resource shortages we face and one thing we are not short on is bacteria.”

How refreshing?

Image from Bio-Couture

The post Tea For Two and Two for Fabrics Made from Tea? appeared first on EcoSalon.

Another work week has just wrapped and while most are heading to their local pubs for a big happy hour pint, I am eager to brew myself an aromatic pot of loose-leaf tea – yes, everything about tea makes my heart swoon. Whether you drink tea to energize or relax, here are some tips for sustainable tea drinking that can also increase your enjoyment of this ancient beverage.

Go Loose-Leaf

Stop using tea bags and go with loose-leaf teas. Each time you use a teabag, the bag, string, tag and wrapper become another addition to your local landfill. Loose teas require minimal packaging, are stored (and brewed) in reusable containers, and are usually re-steepable.

There are some other great perks to drinking loose leaf as well:

• Loose-leaf tea simply tastes better. Tea bag tea is usually very small and includes broken particles of leaf. While this tea dust infuses quickly, it tends to produce a very one-dimensional tea. Quality loose-leaf tea, on the other hand, gets to infuse and expand in your cup, resulting in a richer, tastier brew.
• Loose leaf is more fun. While there are plenty of convenient loose-leaf tea infusers that make brewing quick and easy, using traditional teaware is a lovely ritual to incorporate into your day.
• Loose tealeaves can be a great addition to your compost pile. In fact, a compost pile is the best place for your tealeaves: Never put your tealeaves in a toilet or sink, as they can cause clogs.
• One warning: Many loose-leaf tea retailers offer quantity discounts. While these can appear to be a good deal, keep in mind that tea typically does not age well. Flavored teas (particularly if they have bits of dried fruit in them) can get stale within a few months, while unflavored teas will last year or two if stored properly (airtight containers, kept from sunlight, moisture, heat and strong smells). Buying a lot of tea just to get a discount – only to end up tossing much of it out – isn’t a sustainable practice!

Infuse, Infuse, Repeat!

As noted above, loose-leaf teas can usually be re-infused several times. Reusing tealeaves saves you money and reduces resource consumption. Some teas stand up to multiple infusions better than others do, and fortunately, they tend to be the teas that connoisseurs like most!

Here are some tips for choosing re-steepable teas:

• Avoid flavored teas. The flavor usually fades dramatically after the first infusion.
• Seek out high-quality oolong teas. Jade oolong and Ti Kuan Yin (Iron Goddess of Mercy) are two green oolongs that are famous for their staying power. Each infusion unveils a different layer of flavor. You can get as many as eight steeps (and sometimes more) from one spoonful of leaf!
• Pu’erh teas can be an acquired taste, but they too can offer you many cups of tea from the same leaves. Pu’erh teas are specially processed and are often aged. They have intense flavor that varies from decidedly herbal to something akin to a barnyard.
• Black teas tend to give up their flavor in the first steep or two, though a very high quality black tea is often good for two or three rounds.

Read Labels

Look for labels that certify that the tea is organic or biodynamic. Don’t be afraid to ask a tea company about its organic policy. Any tea company that is committed to sustainable tea production will be happy to tell you about the steps they take to ensure the integrity of its production.

Drink Closer to Home

While most tea grows in China, Japan, Africa and South Asia, a few intrepid tea growers are farming tea in the west. There are tea farms in Hawaii, Washington state, and South Carolina. Tea drinkers in the UK can even enjoy teas that are grown in Cornwall. When we drink tea that is grown closer to us, we can enjoy fresher tea that required fewer resources in its journey to us.

Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Lainie Petersen, a tea enthusiast who is committed to both sustainable living and sustainable theology. You can follow her personal tea blog here.

Images: motograf, romainguy, harisankar

The post How to Green Your Tea appeared first on EcoSalon.