Clearspring Launches Limited Edition 30th Anniversary Organic Okumidori Matcha

The leading authentic Japanese and organic fine food specialist Clearspring is launching an exclusive limited-edition Matcha to celebrate the brand's 30th anniversary: Clearspring Organic Japanese Okumidori Matcha - Ceremonial Grade. 

The special, limited-edition Organic Okumidori Matcha has been specially selected by Clearspring's tea master Nagata-san. Okumidori, meaning 'deepest green', is a superior, artisanal matcha from Wazuka, in Uji, Kyoto, a place steeped in eight centuries of matcha history. Of all the tea fields in Japan, less than 5% are dedicated to growing Okumidori Matcha, which makes it so absolutely valuable.

The tea leaves used have been shade-grown for 20 days before being harvested which increases chlorophyll levels which gives the matcha its vibrant green colour and its utterly unique flavour. 

Only the freshest and youngest tea leaves have been selected from this year's first harvest. Once picked, the leaves are stone-ground to create a fine, bright green powder which has a naturally smooth taste, whilst also delivering a rich umami flavour.

Clearspring's limited-edition Okumidori Matcha is sustainably grown and produced to the highest of  organic standards, whilst working with nature and encouraging biodiversity. This allows the tea leaves to develop a full, rounded and natural flavour and offer all the benefits of organic green tea.

The limited-edition launch, which is a first for Clearspring, offers Clearspring's supporters and Matcha connoisseurs the wonderful opportunity to enjoy the taste of a unique, ceremonial grade Organic Okumidori Matcha and mark 30 years of Clearspring. 

The brand will be donating £1 from the sale of each pack of its Limited-Edition Matcha to long-term charity partner and community cookery school Made in Hackney.

Says Maria Dawson, who is the MD Clearspring: “We've been working with our tea master Nagata-san for the past three decades and we're absolutely delighted to be launching this Limited Edition Organic Japanese Okumidori Matcha together. We wanted to offer something extra special for our 30th anniversary, and this Matcha delivers on taste, quality, uniqueness and sustainability."

She went on to explain: “This limited edition, Okumidori Matcha is best enjoyed when made to a traditional matcha recipe, simply with warm water, to fully enjoy the delicate flavour nuances it offers. We'd love to invite you to join us in celebrating 30 years of Clearspring with this Limited Edition Matcha”

Clearspring Limited Edition Matcha is available to purchase from selected independent stores from September, plus also online at www.clearspring.co.uk.

We at That's Food and Drink believe this will make an excellent Christmas present for the Matcha and tea lovers in your life.

Clearspring Pledges 30k of Free Plant-Based Meals to Mark 30th Anniversary

Leading Japanese and organic fine foods specialist Clearspring is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and has teamed up with their long-term partner, plant-based community cookery school and food charity Made In Hackney, to donate 30,000 free plant-based meals to communities who are in need. 

Made in Hackney, which are celebrating their own 10th anniversary, will work with Clearspring to donate products and cooked meals to families and individuals who have emergency support needs.

Sarah Bentley, founder of Made in Hackney said: "Made In Hackney and Clearspring believe everyone should have access to high quality, healthy food that's good for people and the planet. Clearspring have supported our community cookery classes, meal service and fundraising activities with their incredible products for many years. 

"We're really pleased and delighted to partner with them now to provide 30,000 free plant-based meals to households with food support needs as part of Clearspring's 30-year anniversary."

Maria Dawson, who's the MD at Clearspring commented: “Reaching 30 years as an independent family business is a really great achievement to celebrate. We wanted to use this opportunity to make a concerted effort to give back to the community with our pledge to donate 30,000 free plant-based meals.” 

Alongside the food donation pledge, Clearspring will also be fundraising throughout the year to support the important work Made in Hackney is doing. Clearspring will also partner with other organisations including City Harvest, who help to distribute food to over 350 local charities offering food support to local communities.

Maria Dawson went on to say: “We also wanted to say thank you to everyone who's helped us reach this 30-year milestone. Thank you to the brilliant Clearspring team, the fantastic organic and Demeter certified farmers and artisan food producers, the committed wholesalers and retailers who stock our products and the loyal shoppers who choose to add Clearspring to their baskets every day. 

"Please know that your continued support is helping us realise our dream to create a more sustainable future and is enabling us to work and play to convert one more acre back to organic each day.”

Clearspring was founded in 1993 by award-winning organic Japanese and plant-based foods pioneer Christopher Dawson. Originally from New Zealand, he came to London to study organic and biodynamic farming and subsequently set-up and ran his own health food shop, East West Natural Foods, in London back in 1977.

Christopher decided to move to Japan in the 1980s to further his understanding of organic agriculture and made the country his home for the next 18 years, working with local artisanal producers to convert and comply with international organic standards. Clearspring was created as a way to help the producers he worked with share their unique traditional and organic products with a global audience.

From humble beginnings offering Organic Japanese Miso Soups, Teas and Tamari, Clearspring now offers a vast range of over 300 products across 30 categories, including Japanese specialities, Tofu, Seasonings, as well as European cold pressed oils, vinegars, snacks, purees, pasta and pasta sauces. All Clearspring products are plant-based, refined sugar free and made without the use of artificial additives or ingredients. Clearspring is available in over 60 countries around the world.

 You can find out more about the fundraising and food donation campaign by visiting https://www.clearspring.co.uk/blogs/news.

Clearspring Launches UK-First Caffeine-Free Organic Japanese Kuwa Matcha

Top authentic Japanese and Organic fine foods specialist Clearspring is launching the UK's first Organic Japanese Kuwa Matcha. Kuwa (桑) is Japanese for mulberry and Matcha (抹茶) is Japanese for powdered tea. 

Just like traditional Matcha, Kuwa Matcha is a vibrant green, finely ground powder. Instead of tea leaves it is made using mulberry leaves and unlike green tea Matcha, it is naturally caffeine free.  

Clearspring Organic Japanese Kuwa Matcha is made using the finest quality organic and sustainably grown mulberry leaves that are grown in Kagoshima, Japan, where volcanic soils and humid climates make for ideal growing conditions. Once harvested the leaves are steamed, dried and ground into a fine powder which is just as versatile and delicious as traditional Matcha.

Kuwa Matcha has a delicious, balanced flavour that's less astringent than the taste normally associated with green teas and Matcha tea powder. It's the perfect zero caffeine alternative for consumers who enjoy the taste of Matcha but wish to reduce or avoid caffeine in their diet.

Maria Dawson, who is the Managing Director at Clearspring said about the new addition: “Mulberry leaves have been enjoyed in Japan for centuries in either loose leaf or ground powder form. We're extremely excited to be the first to offer a premium quality authentic and Organic Japanese Kuwa Matcha in the UK. It perfectly complements our existing organic Matcha range whilst tapping into the growing demand for low or no-caffeine hot and cold beverages.

“Clearspring Organic Japanese Kuwa Matcha also delivers on flavour. It has a very similar taste to our premium Matcha, with a mellower taste that is smoother on the palate, especially when enjoyed as a latte. You can also use it for cooking and baking!”

Clearspring's existing offering includes several popular Matcha products such as Organic Japanese Ceremonial Grade Matcha, Premium Grade Matcha, Matcha Shots and a range of Organic Matcha-blend teabags with flavours including Matcha Sencha, Matcha Ginger, Matcha Turmeric, Matcha Three Mint and Matcha Genmaicha.

Two Unique New Brown Rice Crackers from Clearspring

Japanese and organic fine foods specialist Clearspring has added two exciting new gluten free, authentic, vegan and organic Japanese Brown Rice Cracker flavours to its award-winning snacks range: Black Pepper & Tamari and Green Nori & Tamari.

The new Organic Japanese Brown Rice Crackers are made using only the finest quality organic wholefood ingredients. The Organic Black Pepper & Tamari is perfectly balanced with tamari and a hint of black sesame seeds. The Organic Green Nori & Tamari is enhanced with the umami found in tamari, the unique taste of green nori, one of the most popular sea vegetables, and an added hint of black sesame seeds.

Maria Dawson, Director at Clearspring said about the new additions: “The majority of Japanese and Asian rice crackers are made using white rice and usually contain fish stock, added sugar and MSG. It took over a year to perfect these two new and unique recipes, which deliver on wholegrain crunch and taste whilst being minimally processed using organic wholefood ingredients.

“Our Organic Brown Rice Crackers offer consumers a delicious way to enjoy the benefits of organic wholegrain brown rice and are a wholesome plant-based food perfect for any occasion.”

Clearspring's Organic Japanese Brown Rice Crackers are made by third-generation family producers in Japan's Hyogo prefecture, where they have been perfecting the art of rice cracker production since 1952. They are truly artisanal in their approach, employing only traditional methods and expertise to ensure each batch is perfectly baked.

Alongside the two new flavour additions, Clearspring's Organic Japanese Brown Rice Cracker range includes two original flavours: award-winning Organic Black Sesame and Organic Whole Sesame.

All four Clearspring's Organic Japanese Brown Rice Crackers are:

Organic

Vegan

Gluten Free

A source of Fibre

MSG-free

Non-GMO

Made in Japan

Available in 40g pack size