Starbucks sells a very inferior version of this "King of Green tea". They use a sweetened tea concentrate and add even MORE sugar on top of that when they prepare it...delivering about 300 calories to your body. This recipe is a very healthful and delicious way to enjoy these teas. The addition of milk places this tea into the "comfort" food category! The blend of infusions from Green tea, Holy Basil with the Matcha, milk and honey is very easy to prepare, healthy and delicious.

Matcha is the ceremonial Green tea of Japan. It is made from freshly picked green tea leaves ground into a fine powder and mixed with water in the traditional fashion. Since the entire leaf is consumed, as opposed to the regularly infused Green tea, it contains a higher concentration of antioxidant compounds (EGCG) and the calming amino acid; theanine.

This recipe also utilizes Karigane Green tea- a type of tea that is enjoyed due to its mild and sweet flavor. Karigane is a twig tea made from the stems of the highest grade shade-grown Sencha tea. The special cultivation method results in a tea that is rich in theanine. Karigane's excellent flavor profile and properties make this a highly sought after tea. I am addicted to this tea and the way it makes me feel!

Holy Basil is referred to as Tulsi in India. This means "incomparable one" and is a sacred plant to this culture-being widely used in religious ceremonies and is believed to protect any home where it is grown. This adaptogen herb has many health benefits; many of which can be attributed to its antioxidant activity in the body.

You will need:

• Teapot
• Small hand whisk (make sure that the base of it fits into a tall mug) OR a small electric gadget that froths milk.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Milk (may substitute soy milk, rice milk or other "milk" of preference)
• 1 tbsp Holy Basil Tea Blend
• 1 tbsp Karigane Green Tea
• 2 tsp Matcha Green Tea
• Honey, or your favorite sweetner

Directions

1. Boil just over 2 cups of water.
2. Immediate add 2 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of holy basil tea blend to a teapot.
3. Stir, cover and infuse for 90 seconds.
4. Add 1 tablespoon of green tea to the infused holy basil tea.
5. Stir, cover and infuse for 90 seconds.
6. Strain through a strainer into 2 cups.
7. Heat 1 cup of milk until it is almost boiling.
8. Add 2 teaspoons of matcha green tea powder to the milk
9. If using a hand whisk, hold the whisk by pressing your palms together and rapidly slide your palms back and forth to create a whisk action. This should cause the matcha to dissolve and the milk to froth a little.
10. Divide the frothed matcha milk equally into the 2 teas.
11. If desired, sweeten to taste with honey or sweetener of your choice.