Le Palais Gourmet's Matcha Tasting Event

Le Palais Gourmet in Beverly Hills, California, hosted an organic matcha tasting event to the delight of all the attendees. It was an epicurean event with matcha cuisine created by world renowned chef, Christy Choo (owner of Jin Patisserie).

The tea bar at Le Palais Gourmet was a spectacular with so many wonderfully prepared desserts all made with organic matcha, the Japanese green tea ground by stone into fine powder. Matcha is receiving world-wide acclaim for its super concentrated amount of antioxidants (more than 10 times that of pomegranate). Rather than simply, steeping the green tea, it's actually ingested which allows the concentrated antioxidants to stay in the body longer to deliver its powerful nutritional benefits. Let's take a look at all the tempting offerings!

These are creme brulee's made with organic matcha!

These are matcha pound cake slices over a bed of raspberry sauce with a touch of creme fraiche and a raspberry garnish.

Would you like a matcha soy smoothie? Perfect for the summer or anytime!

Take a look at all the canisters of tea along the walls . . . many of which are organic!

Beauty is everywhere at Le Palais Gourmet tea emporium !

The crowd gathers to watch Le Palais Gourmet's tea master, David Barenholtz demonstrate how to prepare hot matcha. This is a daily ritual of health, peace and tranquility.

Japanese Melon Green Tea

You know Summer is coming with the arrival of new fruity loose teas that can be enjoyed iced down or warm. Le Palais Gourmet with its flagship store in Beverly Hills, California, has debuted this wonderful, Japanese melon green tea called, "Midori Sencha." It is certified organic and given a special distinction with a gold and white, "Special Reserve" label.

Not only is the loose green tea beautiful with orange and yellow flower petals set against the tea leaves, but the aroma has a sweet yet subtle fragrance that comes through even when steeped.The liquor color is pale green with no bitterness! Le Palais Gourmet describes this tea as using the finest lightly steamed organic Japanese Sencha and blended with two kinds of Japanese melons. It is truly amazing!

Organic Premium Matcha

Found - Organic Certified Premium Matcha ! It is so new and fresh, Le Palais Gourmet hasn't posted it yet on their website. You're the first to know! High quality matcha is made from shade-grown tea leaves (gyokuro) and stone-ground into a fine, bright green powder. Matcha tea is a superfood as it has one of the highest amounts of antioxidants available on earth. Unlike other teas which are steeped and then removed, matcha tea (the powder) is actually ingested into the body.

As you can see in this caddy, the beautiful and vibrant color. In the foreground, is the bamboo matcha scoop (chashaku) which is used to place a tiny amount into the matcha tea bowl.

Here you can see the dry organic matcha powder placed into the bowl.

Here is a beautiful yet simple bamboo tea whisk (chasen) used for whisking the matcha.

Hot Spring water is added (never boiling so as to retain the nutrients and optimum flavor) and whisked for few seconds. The purpose of the bamboo whisk is to remove any lumps remaining in the liquid and any on the sides of the tea bowl. This is beautiful daily ritual.

Now, we are ready to drink this amazing organic certified premium matcha from Japan!

Hawaiian Organic Honey

Honey . . . a gift from nature. Think of all the work, our planet's endangered bees do for a single drop of honey. Some wonderful artisan organic honey from Hawaii has been earning rave reviews. In the mystical Ohi'a forest, high on Mauna Loa's slopes, finicky bees gather nectar from the Ohi'a Lehua blossom at its peak ripeness. This single floral honey has a thick and creamy texture, light & delicate and can be perfectly paired with your teas, herbals, yogurt, etc.

Rather than reaching for bleached white cane sugar, use healthier organic honey instead. There are many subtle flavors which are influenced by the micro climates where the honey is produced. It's also a pleasure to use a honey dipper spoon which reduces spills of nature's precious liquid gold.

Say Cheese !

Our V.I.P. tour continues today at The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills!

Check out the Spring picnic baskets in their window! Let's go inside!

When you walk in the door, you'll be over-powered by the melange of cheese aromas!

Beautiful cheese displays to tempt you at every glance . . .

Be sure to ask for samples and say hello to Norbert, the owner of this marvelous cheese store! So when you visit Le Palais Gourmet (see 6/4/09 post) for your tea, be sure to stop here at The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills, only a block away.

Tea Mecca

For tea lovers an absolute must visit is Le Palais Gourmet in Beverly Hills, California. With over 250 loose teas and herbals (many of which are certified organic) and a beautiful expansive minimalist setting, it is truly "tea heaven."

Just take a look at all the cans of teas and herbals on the walls ! You can purchase your loose teas by 1/4 pound minimum. Typically, the prices start around $12 and go up to $160 per 1/4 pound for a tea called Gyokuro (a rare shade grown green tea). Le Palais Gourmet specializes in green teas with frequent shipments from Japan. They have just received the new Spring '09 harvest from Japan (Shincha) which are eagerly awaited by tea connoisseurs around the world.

Amazing displays and beautiful gifts always inspire and are hard to resist ! While not a tea room, there is a tea bar which seats six and you can take tea-tasting classes on Saturday mornings (be sure to call and register in advance as they are typically booked). With proximity to major restaurants up and down Canon Drive, you can make a day of it. Don't forget to stop at the Beverly Hills Cheese Store which is a block away!