notes from maggie's farm
Feeling a bit overheated these days? Keep your cool with this Ginger-Spiced Peach Green Tea Cooler. It'll surely keep you feeling as fresh as a peach.
For four healthy servings, you will need
2 peaches, 1/4 t each ground clove and allspice, 1 3"stick cinnamon (optional), 1 t ground ginger (fresh will do nicely, too--about 1/2 t freshly grated), 1/2 cup almond milk (or any milk or milk substitute of your choice) and 2 green tea bags.
Prepare tea by combining tea bags with clove, allspice, cinnamon (if using) in a quart jar filled with fresh filtered water. Cover and let steep in the sun for an hour or two (according to desired strength, although be mindful that tea will become more bitter the longer it steeps). Strain tea through a mesh sieve, pressing on solids. Chill for two hours.
Wash peaches well, pit and slice. Most of the fruit's nutrients are in it's skin, so we keep the peels on for nutrition's sake, and 'cause we really just like them, but you may remove them if desired.
In a blender jar, combine peaches with ginger and milk of your choice. Puree, on low speed increasing speed slowly (to avoid the dreaded air bubble). As peaches puree, slowly add chilled tea and ice, alternating one cup at a time, until well combined and of desired consistency (we like ours 'frothy' so we let it go quite a bit to 'aerate'. Sweeten with honey and garnish with fresh mint, if desired.
More than a decade's worth of research about green tea's health benefits -- particularly its potential to fight cancer and heart disease -- has been more than intriguing, as have limited studies about green tea's role in lowering cholesterol, burning fat, preventing diabetes and stroke, and staving off dementia. Aim to consume 3 or more cups a day.
Did you know?...
Peaches are known in Asia, not only as a popular fruit, but for the many folktales and traditions associated with them. Culturally, the peach is symbolic of longevity, immortality, fertilility, and beauty. Momotaro, one of Japan's most noble mythical heroes, was held to be born from within an enormous peach floating down a stream. Legend has it that Momotaro or "peach boy" went on to fight evil and face many adventures. The flowers of the flowering peach are admired by the Japanese.
The peach often plays an important part in Chinese ritual and tradition, and is symbolic of long life. In the story of Zhang Daoling, who many say is the true founder of daoism. Elder Zhang Guo, one of the Chinese eight immortals, is often depicted carrying a peach of immortality. Due to its delicious taste and soft texture, in Ancient China "peach" was also a slang word for "young bride," and it has remained in many cultures as a way to define pretty young women.
Join us tomorrow as we celebrate the conclusion of Peach Week with a Farmstead Peach Feast of roti de porc with balsamic pan-roasted peaches, served with peach pecan brown rice pilaf and wilted greens.
It's going to be a peach of a feast!
Indeed! Very refreshing on both the drink and the story. --Chinese do believe peaches are goddess' fruits. Yes--long life!
ReplyDeleteWe've been up to our ears in peaches and we're still not satisfied! lol Thank you so much for dropping by and leaving your kind comments. You are very appreciated!
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