A recent New York Times article reveals the story of an 80 year old man who has devoted his life to tea. Hisashi Yamada is a teacher of tea at a school specifically designed for that purpose in New York City. Hisashi’s passion for tea blossomed while employed by a wealthy aristocrat in Japan. In the 1960s, he had the opportunity to come to America and found here the perfect place to spread his knowledge of the tea.

His teachings mainly stress the importance of the traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony. While on the surface it may seem like simple relaxation while drinking tea, it is actually much more involved than that. In order to master the tea ceremony, one must have knowledge of “the production and types of tea, kimono, calligraphy, flower arranging, ceramics, and incense” that will be used during that ceremony.

The ceremony is structured so that it becomes a very Zen-like experience, often performed in complete silence or, when talking is permitted, only allowing dialog pertinent to the ceremony. The main goal is to rid you of the complexities of life by drawing attention to the more subtle and mellow surroundings, through emphasizing the importance of the aesthetics of the space in which the ceremony is taking place as much as the tea itself.

This ceremony has become so popular, Hollywood’s finest like Reese Witherspoon have participated as well. Hisashi’s now-popular school, the Urasenke Chanoyu Center, has a waiting list for incoming students.

Tea and chocolate are very much in vogue. Fancy chocolatiers are making chocolates and truffles infused with teas like Earl Grey, green or Irish breakfast. “It’s a trend that started in France,” according to Joan Coukos, owner of Chocolat Moderne in New York. Tea and chocolate are two strong flavors that go well together. Moreover, both are considered Superfoods, foods “power packed” with nutrients. In fact, Science Daily reported on a Penn State-led review of 66 published studies supporting the view that consuming flavonoid-rich tea and/or chocolate, in moderation, can be associated with reduced risk for cardiovascular disease.

Here are two of our recipes using this winning combination of tea and chocolate: Darjeeling and Dark Chocolate Pots and Jasmine Green Tea Truffles. Irresistible!

Science Daily reported Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered that a component in green tea helps kill cells of the most common leukemia in the United States. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia or CLL is a type of Leukemia in which lymphocytes in the bone marrow generate too many white blood cells invading the blood stream. It is a progressive cancer affecting older adults. The research using laboratory cell cultures showed that a component of green tea known as EGCG helped eliminate leukemia cells by blocking the communication signals they need to survive.

Leukemia cells beware…green tea is here!

Last month, we talked about tea’s positive effects on two other types of cancer: breast cancer and prostate cancer. And don’t forget about the many more reasons to drink tea.

Music isn’t the only thing Nick Jonas of The Jonas Brothers is passionate about, he also favors Green Tea Frappuccinos. Nick and his brothers topped the charts with their self-titled 2007 album that ended up going platinum and have carved out their niche in pop culture as a force to be reckoned with.

The catalyst to the entire Jonas Brothers phenomenon lies with Nick, who knowing that show business was his path in life, began performing on Broadway at age 7. After many years of performing, the three Jonas brothers released their first complete album in 2006, aptly named “It’s about time.”

Photo Courtesy of Nick J Online

Like green tea’s longevity, the Jonas Brothers will undoubtedly be ringing in the ears of many for some time to come.

What is your favorite frosty green tea of choice? For some tea beverage ideas, look here.