GemTaste

Dylan Foo

Passionate about luxury dishes, I reveal the tales behind them. By understanding opulent culinary traditions, I guide others to discern their meal's true worth.

The Four Varieties of Japanese Shade-Grown Teas

The Four Varieties of Japanese Shade-Grown Teas

Shade-grown cultivation, or "hifuku saibai" (被覆栽培) in Japanese, is a technique where tea plants are intentionally shaded before harvest. This article highlights the four key varieties of shade-grown green tea and their unique qualities.

Kabuse: The Art of Tea Shading

Kabuse: The Art of Tea Shading

Shading tea plants has a profound effect on their flavor, contributing to the distinct aroma, rich umami, and vibrant green color of teas like matcha and gyokuro. But how does reducing sunlight—essential for plant growth—lead to such dramatic and delicious changes?

Understanding L-Theanine: The Calming Compound in Tea

Understanding L-Theanine: The Calming Compound in Tea

Tea’s benefits come from key compounds like L-theanine, an amino acid in tea leaves that supports relaxation, focus, and stress relief. This article explores how L-theanine, caffeine, and antioxidants work together to produce these effects.

Reasons Behind the High Cost of Japanese Ceremonial-Grade Matcha

Reasons Behind the High Cost of Japanese Ceremonial-Grade Matcha

Matcha, a finely ground green tea powder, is rich in antioxidants and prized for its health benefits. It can be enjoyed as traditional tea or a green tea latte, offering a smooth, vibrant drink—if you opt for high-quality matcha. But what makes ceremonial-grade matcha special and so expensive?

C Market 101: How It Shapes Coffee Pricing

C Market 101: How It Shapes Coffee Pricing

The C Market, run by ICE, is the global futures exchange for Arabica coffee, setting benchmark prices influenced by traders and speculators. Discover its role and impact.

Pure Maple Syrup

Discover Why Pure Grade A Maple Syrup Is So Expensive

Century-old maple trees yield sap requiring about 50 gallons to produce just one gallon of 100% pure Grade A maple syrup. This labor-intensive process and high sap requirement make it an expensive delicacy.

Buddha's Hand Citron, Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis

Why Is Buddha's Hand Citron So Expensive?

Discover why the ancient Buddha's Hand citron, with its prayer-like shape and fingered segments, comes with such a high price tag.