Those wishing to drink in meditation, do not need to travel to the Far East for a sip of this beverage steeped in history and health benefits. In fact, Pureblend brings the finest organic, fair trade Matcha teas right to your doorstep.
After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world. However, Americans drink more soda and coffee than tea. Last year, Kari Dandrea started Pureblend Tea to serve up a nutritious alternative to sugary and unhealthy drinks.
Her company grew organically. She started with just selling fair trade, organic loose chai, black, green and herbal teas, then picked up Matcha teas and her own line of signature unrefined salts and seasonings. Currently, Matcha accounts for 30-40 percent of Kari’s online and farmers markets’ sales and 60-70 percent of retailer sales.
Matcha contains an antioxidant called EGCG, which some people believe has anti-cancer and age-defying properties. In fact, one teaspoon of Matcha contains 10 times the amount of EGCG as one cup of loose leaf green tea. The amino acid, L-theanine, found in the tea helps you stay calm, focused, reduces stress and boosts your immune system. It is a great alternative for people looking to cut down on coffee.
Unlike coffee, the caffeine in tea is slowly released into the blood stream. Kari likes to compare the coffee in tea to oatmeal, a low glycemic with a gradual up and down of energy, verses coffee which like a doughnut provides a quick spike of energy with a quick drop off. Matcha tea gives keeps people alert and awake while calm without the shakes, jitters or crashes. It is easy to prepare, its green powder dissolves right into hot or cold water.
Matcha is the most expensive tea on the market because of its limited supply. The production is time-consuming because the leaves are ground by stones. Matcha grades run from culinary to imperial and can be priced anywhere from $5 to $100 an ounce.
“When people start drinking Matcha they want to keep drinking it,” said Kari. “They love how it feels. They love the way it is in terms of coffee versus tea. They always reorder. They are looking around and they’re not going to find an organic, superior grade drinking Matcha for $10 an ounce anywhere.”
Pureblend’s silky and smooth, all-natural Matcha teas are sold by the ounce. Four ounces of pure matcha makes 40 cups and costs $40 dollars. For a sweeter fix, Pureblend carries blends for $20 for four ounces of Matcha Chai, Cocoa-Hazelnut Matcha or Coconut Matcha. Pureblend’s signature Honey-Ginseng Matcha blend, an immune-boosting tea of ground Chinese ginseng root and honey granules costs $30 for 4 ounces.
Through the end of December, customers who order their tea through Pureblends’ newest website, pureblendmatcha.com, get free shipping on their orders. Matcha teas can be ordered online or picked up at The Great Pumpkin in West Chester, all Kimberton Whole Foods Stores and Arrowroot in Bryn Mawr.
Kari serves tea training for restaurants and stores who serve her loose teas. For more information, email Kari at [email protected]. Stay up to date with the latest Pureblend news by visiting them on Facebook, Twitter or their website. Spread the warmth this holiday season by giving the gift of serenity with any of Pureblend’s tea samplers.
