RIVERDANCE GREEN

Ever since it opened on April 30, 1994, Riverdance, a rollicking celebration of all things Irish, has done nothing but attract crowds and draw gales of applause wherever, and whenever, it has been performed. And why not? As the pipe and drum carry the tune, scores of dancers step and twirl with about as much exuberance as has ever been presented on a stage. Suffice it to say, the energy levels of the dancers is high, incredibly high.

It should come as no surprise then, that when searching for an apt name for this energizing blend of Kenyan and Malawian greens and Japanese Matcha, we should have stumbled upon the exuberance of Riverdance. (Well, that and the fact that the Izu Matcha adds a lovely touch of emerald green color to the mix.) Like the dance itself, this fabulous cup opens with high-energy notes - freshly cut grass and honey, rounded by gentle layers of mossy astringency. An incredible tea worthy of a round of applause all its own.

More about the teas used to create this blend:

Kapchorua: Certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership and Fair Trade organization, Kapchorua is one of Kenya's premiere estates. Exceptional green teas are produced using Ejulu leaf stock, noted for its sturdy leaf and deep green colour.

Satemwa: First planted in 1923 by Scotsman Maclean Cathcart Kay, Satemwa produces some of Malawi's most innovative teas. The estate provides free schooling, medicare and housing for all staff and is certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership.

Izu Matcha: Produced using pure Gyokuro leaves, on a gram per gram basis, Izu Matcha contains approximately 10 times the polyphenols of regular teas. What's more, 2 cups of brewed matcha contains 7 times the antioxidants of orange juice, 20 times that of apple juice, and nearly 20 g of calcium.