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Costco’s Green Tea Secret: Japan’s Ito En Craftsmanship

Costco’s Green Tea Secret: Japan’s Ito En Craftsmanship

If you’ve ever wondered who crafts Costco’s Kirkland Signature Green Tea, the answer lies in a quiet Japanese powerhouse. This box of 100 tea bags, priced at $13.99, isn’t just a warehouse staple—it’s a product of Ito En, Japan’s largest green tea brand. With operations spanning 45 countries, Ito En’s expertise isn’t just about scale; it’s about tradition. The company’s signature method? Steaming, not baking or pan-frying, which preserves the tea’s delicate vegetal notes. This technique, passed down through generations, gives Costco’s green tea its light, fresh profile—a stark contrast to the smoky undertones of Chinese teas. The blend itself…
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Green Tea vs. Coffee: Decoding the Energy and Heart Health Battle

Green Tea vs. Coffee: Decoding the Energy and Heart Health Battle

There’s something brewing in your mug—green tea or coffee? The answer hinges on your goals, tolerance, and how your body reacts to caffeine. Both drinks pack perks, but their impact on energy and heart health splits along distinct lines. Coffee’s punchy caffeine hit—80 to 100 mg per 8 ounces—fuels a quick jolt, while green tea’s milder 25 to 50 mg delivers a steady, calm alertness. “The higher caffeine concentration in coffee gives a faster, bigger boost,” says Dr. Natasha Bhuyan. Yet green tea’s L-theanine, an amino acid, tempers that energy with tranquility, reducing jitteriness. For heart health, the science gets…
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Matcha’s Rise: From Celeb Obsession to Science-Backed Wellness Powerhouse

Matcha’s Rise: From Celeb Obsession to Science-Backed Wellness Powerhouse

Here’s what you need to know: Matcha’s surge from cult favorite to mainstream marvel isn’t just about Instagram aesthetics—it’s a health revolution in disguise. Once a rare luxury in Japanese tea ceremonies, this vibrant green powder has stormed into cafes, wellness routines, and celebrity circles, thanks to a blend of cult status and science-backed benefits. But what makes this powdered tea tick? Matcha’s secret lies in its unique cultivation. Unlike regular green tea, which is steeped and discarded, matcha is made by grinding whole shade-grown Camellia sinensis leaves into a fine powder. This process locks in nutrients like antioxidants and…
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Bend’s Hidden Gems: Where Artisan Coffee Meets Soul

Bend’s Hidden Gems: Where Artisan Coffee Meets Soul

The verdict is in: Bend’s coffee scene is less about beans and more about the people who grow, roast, and serve them. For years, the city boasted the highest number of coffee roasters per capita in the U.S.—a title now held by Portland—but its legacy of craftsmanship remains unmatched. Here, coffee isn’t just brewed; it’s curated. Third-wave roasters spend years building relationships with farmers, swapping stories over coffee rather than just transactions. At Bellatazza, owner Stewart Fritchman describes his work as “hours with plantation owners in Guatemala, discussing Uncle Juan’s surgery.” This intimacy isn’t just about beans—it’s about connection. These…
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