Mr. Shu will lead the group in a cupping of 6 new oolong teas that are scheduled for release later this year.  Here’s a preview:

Classic Jade Oolong

This naturally fragrant high mountain tea instantly captures the heart with its flavor and aroma.  After repeated oxidation and rolling, the lasting flavor is sealed in tightly curled leaves.

The vision of the Hawaii Tea Club is to be a community of tea enthusiasts who enjoy drinking tea, learning about it and sharing their experiences with others. This workshop is the club’s first event and will take place on Saturday, March 3rd at The Pineapple Room, Ala Moana Center, Macy’s 3rd floor, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.  Admission is $20.00 which includes light refreshments.

To register, or for more information, please email HawaiiTeaClub@gmail.com .

Get information about upcoming events by following theHawaii Tea Club on Twitter at www.twitter.com/HawaiiTeaClub.

January is National Hot Tea Month in the US. That says a lot considering we are a coffee consuming nation. So how did tea become the second most consumed beverage in the world after water?

Buddhist monks of long ago discovered drinking tea was helpful in prolonging their daily meditations.  The euphoric buzz of caffeine, amino acids and L theanine aided their pursuit of nirvana.  Drinking tea became an integral part of their daily lives.  Tea leaves became an essential part of their travel provisions.  These happy monks spread tea across Asia, through Europe and around the globe.

January 23 marks a new lunar year.  One Chinese new year tradition is to eat a vegetarian stew called jai.  This dish would be eaten as the first meal of the new year or could be the only dish served during the entire first day.

Celebrate the New Year with 20% off teas that go great with Chinese food.  Use promo code HNY20 at check out to received special pricing.  Sign up for our newsletter for notice of future specials.  Offer expires January 23.

Teas that pair well with Chinese food:

Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearls
High Mountain Oolong
Jade Pouchong
Silver Needles
Jasmine Yin Hao
Green Peony Blossoms
Ginger Tea
Lapsong Souchong
Lychee Tea

We use these same spices to make our Masala Chai, an authentic Indian recipe made of black tea, ginger, cardamom and cinnamon. These easy-to-use tea bags are perfect to create your own chai lattes, smoothies and desserts. Each single serving tea bag contains a pre-measured portion of each ingredient. You control the sweetness and calories. Use your favorite sweetener. Add your milk of choice.

Christmas Chai Spiced and Spiked

Per Serving for Two

8 oz water
2 Masala Chai tea bags
2 tablespoons half n half
2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon vodka
1 tablespoon Bailey’s Irish Cream
1 tablespoon cinnamon schnapps

Steep tea bags in hot water for 10 minutes. Stir in other ingredients. Garnish with cinnamon sticks.

In 1970, Pilahi Paki made this statement at the annual Governor’s Conference which would turn out to be a modern day prophecy.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) convenes in Honolulu this November for the first time on US soil since 1993. This summit will bring together leaders from 21 countries that touch the Pacific Ocean. These economies represent more than 50% of the world’s GDP.  APEC leaders will meet on O’ahu, known as “the Gathering Place”, and birthplace of President Barack Obama. They will experience the beauty of Hawai’i and hopefully they will be touched by the Aloha of its people.

Aloha can mean both hello and goodbye but there is greater meaning to it than a simple salutation. Affectionately known as Aunty Pilahi, Paki was a teacher, community leader and respectfully considered a living treasure as a proponent of the spirit of Aloha. Together with Alvin Shim, Aunty Pilahi wrote and passed The Aloha Spirit Law, Hawaii State Statute 5-7.5 as traits of character for its people and a way of life.

A – Akahai meaning kindness expressed with a feeling of tenderness
L – Lokahi meaning unity (unbrokenness) expressed with a feeling for harmony
O – ‘Olu’olu meaning agreeable (gentle) expressed with a feeling of pleasantness
H – Ha’aha’a meaning humility expressed with a feeling for modesty
A – Ahonui meaning patience applied with a feeling of perseverance

08 September 2011

The World Cancer Research Fund has published a new report which estimates that there are about 2.8 million cancer cases a year globally that are linked to diet, physical activity and weight. It’s a figure that the charity expects to rise dramatically over the next 10 years.

“We tend to think of cancer and other diseases such as heart disease and diabetes as largely being a problem for the developed world,” said Dr Kate Allen, director of science and communications for WCRF. “But even poor countries are seeing increasing obesity rates as people eat more processed food and become less active. It truly is a global health problem of great magnitude, and one that threatens workforce productivity and the world’s economy.”

The report has been published 10 days before a United Nations Summit on lifestyle diseases – known as Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) – which include cancer, heart disease, diabetes and respiratory disease. Campaigners hope issues such as junk food marketing to children and the high salt content of food will be addressed.

Antioxidants in tea called catechins cleanse free radicals from our bodies that can damage DNA and contribute to cancer, blood clots, and atherosclerosis (heart disease). Grapes and berries, red wine, and dark chocolate also have potent antioxidants. However, the unique catechin found in tea is called epigallocatechin-3-gallate, more easily referred to as EGCG.

EGCG antioxidants protect against the negative effects of UV rays, pollution, smoking, the aging process and some cancerous tumors.  EGCG may be beneficial to heart and circulatory health. Studies have also shown EGCG stimulates thermogenesis, a process that is central to weight loss.

Interesting findings include:

• 10% of consumers are making more purchases of iced tea by the cup or glass than they did two years ago.
• Green tea, healthful and antioxidant-rich, is of interest to nearly three out of four consumers (73 percent), making it the most appealing flavor for hot or iced tea.
•  With the exception of frozen/blended coffee drinks, all other types of coffee and tea drinks have steadily increased in price since 2008. Offered for an average price of $2.25 in 2008, regular coffee now sells for an average of $2.36. Similarly, tea/iced tea products have seen their prices go up, increasing from an average of $2.40 in 2008 to $2.57 two years later.

Photo by Steve Minkowski

23 years ago, fine dining in Hawaii meant going out for steak and lobster.  Tea was by colors… green or black.  Roy’s Restaurant opened in the culinary boondocks of Hawaii Kai.  And a movement was started.  Professionally, it’s been a privilege to grow up in the era of Hawaiian Regional Cuisine.  I have learned from and been sharpened by some of the finest Chefs, Food & Beverage Directors, Sommeliers and food writers.  Collectivley, HRC changed the way we look at food that’s raised, farmed and foraged in the Islands.  The following is taken from a press release by the Hawaii Restaurant Association.

In August 1991, twelve of Hawaii’s most talented chefs from across the Islands gathered on Maui and pioneered a new culinary concept: “Hawaii Regional Cuisine.” The premise was to elevate the culinary experience in Hawaii by featuring the foods of Hawaii’s land and sea into each of the chef’s own distinctive styles of cooking, resulting in exciting, creative presentations and delectable dining experiences . Both collaboratively and individually, they put Hawaii on the international culinary map and inspired-and mentored-generations of talented chefs. The founders of the movement, which include Sam Choy, Roger Dikon, Mark Ellman, Amy Ferguson, Beverly Gannon, Jean-Marie Josselin, George Mavrothalassitis, Peter Merriman, Philippe Padovani, Gary Strehl, Alan Wong, and Roy Yamaguchi, ultimately contributed to a local and regional food movement that continues to gain traction throughout the world. (Hawaii Restaurant Association)

Cinnamon adds delightful sweetness to this caffeine free herbal.  But it was more than taste and aroma that made us want to work with this healing spice.

1. Cinnamon is a source of calcium, manganese, fiber and iron.
2. Studies suggest cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar, making it especially beneficial for people with Type II diabetes.
3. It’s been found to lower LDL cholesterol.
4. Other studies have shown cinnamon stops yeast infections.
5. In a U.S. Department of Agriculture study, cinnamon reduced the growth of leukemia and lymphoma cells.
6. It has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.
7. Smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory.
8. At Copenhagen University, patients given half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast had significant relief of arthritis pain after one week and could walk without pain within one month.
9. When added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.
10. Researchers at Kansas State University found that cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices.

Photo by Craig T. Kojima

Japanese Tea Ceremony was held this week on the USS Arizona Memorial as an act of reconciliation and a symbol of peace. The ceremony was the idea of former Hawaii First Lady Jean Ariyoshi and was performed by 15th generation grand tea master Genshitsu Sen.  More by reporter Dan Nakaso of The Star Advertiser.

Tea Ceremony, like Victorian Afternoon Tea, was first practiced by the upper class in their respective countries. Tea and fine accoutrements were imported into Japan from China and were not available to most commoners. Feudal warlords and imperial aristocracy conducted Tea Ceremony as a symbol of power and affluence.

A central figure in the history of Tea Ceremony is grand master Sen No Rikyu. Rikyu was the first Grand Master of Urasenke Tea School which Genshitsu Sen represents.

By the mid 16th century, matcha or powdered tea was being used in Tea Ceremony. At the time, Rikyu served as tea master to Shogun Oda Nobunaga and later to his successor Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Hideyoshi was incredibly cunning and astute having been born a peasant farmer, serving Oda as a vassal and later becoming the most powerful warlord in Japan earning the title of Regent. Hideyoshi flaunted his status building lavished castles and a portable golden tea room. This opulent mobile tea room allowed him to practice tea and project his status where ever he went.

Rikyu embraced concepts taught to him by his masters. Wabi-sabi is the concept of finding beauty in simplicity. Wabi is evident today in Japanese design, architecture and landscaping. Ichi-go, ichi-e is the belief that each meeting is treasured because it can never be replicated. Some believe he was influenced by Christianity and fashioned parts of tea ceremony after communion.

As compared to Hideyoshi’s ornate golden tea room, Rikyu-designed rooms were austere and humble yet evoked a higher sense of refinement. For example, one blossom strategically place exhibited greater purpose compare to a bouquet of flowers. Rikyu preferred a room typically the size of 2 tatami mats or 12 square feet. A small room heighten intimacy and reduce excessive movement. Entry through a low and narrow door required stooping in order to enter the room. The door was built this way to encouraged humility.

Four principles taught in tea ceremony have endured time and are evident in modern Japanese culture. These principles are harmony (和 wa), respect (敬 kei), purity (清 sei), and tranquility (寂 jaku). The world witnessed these principles in practice by the order in which the Japanese conducted themselves in the aftermath of the March 11 tsunami and nuclear disaster.