Raspberry leaf is a well known tea when it comes to women’s health and labour. We received this email from our supplier, Frontier though which shows that raspeberries leaves are good for so much more.

Despite its prickly and assertive appearance, raspberry is a friendly plant, producing luscious berries and leaves that are an herbal mainstay. It’s a member of the Rosaceae (rose) family and the Rubus (blackberry) genus — along with boysenberry, loganberry, and about 300 other berries! Raspberry leaf is the perfect tea herb. Delicious on its own, it also pairs well with black tea and adds oomph to more delicate green and herbal teas. Like other herbal teas, it’s caffeine-free, too. HEARTY RASPBERRY TEA BLEND Use this basic recipe as a guide, substituting green or herbal tea leaves for black, if you prefer.. 1/3 cup raspberry leaves 1/3 cup black tea leaves 1/3 cup hibiscus flowers Combine all ingredients and store in a glass jar. Use about a teaspoon per cup of tea for brewing (either per cup or in a teapot). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LEMONY APPLE COOLER Combining herbal teas with other beverages — like lemonade or fruit juice — can create new favorites. In this refreshing drink, apple juice complements the raspberry-lemony-flavored tea. 2 tablespoons raspberry leaves 1 tablespoon lemongrass leaves 1 teaspoon peppermint leaves 2 cups boiling water 2 cups apple (or other favorite) juice or sparkling juice Pour boiling water over herbs. Steep five minutes, or until desired strength (or make a sun tea by steeping herbs in water in the sun). Strain and sweeten, if desired. Cool to room temperature, then add juice. Garnish with lemon slices. Refrigerate leftover beverage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Widely enjoyed in teas, raspberry leaf is also useful in body care. Its astringency makes it perfect for skin toners and creams, hair rinses, mouthwashes and poultices. RASPBERRY HAIR RINSE This collection of herbs is especially nice for dark hair. Use it after shampooing, to soften and add shine. 2 tablespoons raspberry leaves 1 tablespoon rosemary leaf 1 tablespoon sage leaf Combine leaves. Make a strong tea (infusion) using the herbal mixture and one cup of water. Allow to steep until water reaches room temp, then strain.

Peanut Butter

We love peanut butter. It was the first product sold by Tengu and has remained ever since. Same supplier, same beautiful taste but to live is to change. Our peanut butter is still from the same maker. It is still organic and it still tastes great. It isn’t the same as it was, however, and here is a Q&A with the maker to explain why:

What happened?

Growing organic peanuts in the USA collapsed.    Only organics have become extinct in the US; Conventional peanuts are still a huge US crop. Organic cotton grows in same soil,  is much easier and more money can be made  ( organic cotton price is up strongly).    Until organic farmers feel they need to grow peanuts again they will not grow them. There are way too many more crops that are way easier to grow than peanuts.

Why did you leave skins on?   why are skins off now?

With the creation of an organic peanut market in the USA there was no way to remove the skins. The small peanut processors had no blanchers so we ground the peanuts skin and all. Now with organic peanuts from Argentina and their huge organic peanut industry, they are shelled by some pretty large producers. With the USA not growing any organic peanuts, we must import them and it is easier to import without the skins.

A second good reason is that removing the skins dramatically reduces the risk of aflatoxin.

How is nutrition different between the two types?

We believe there is no nutritional difference

Why is the new PB so much soupier?

We believe there isn’t much difference. The valencia peanuts were soupy at times. It all depends on the oil content of the nut.

Why is it so much lighter?    I assume no skins.

Correct. No skins make it lighter.

Any chance of Valencia coming back?

No time soon, if at all.

What were market comments in USA when you made the switch?

We have only received positive comments. I think that with the organic industry moving into the mass market “large grocery” the consumers are a new generation. A generation who is accustomed to eating Skippy and will buy organic if there is not much difference. I  feel the older generation who has always eaten organic “valencia” definitely notice the difference but in a positive way.

BACKGROUND

Runner Peanuts (current peanut butter)

Since 1940, the southeastern U.S. region has seen a shift to production of Runner group peanuts. This shift is due to good flavor, better roasting characteristics and higher yields when compared to Spanish types leading to food manufacturers’ preference for their use in peanut butter and salted nuts. Georgia’s production is now almost 100% Runner type.

Valencia Peanuts (previous peanut butter)

Valencia Group peanuts are coarse, and they have heavy reddish stems and large foliage. In the U.S., large commercial production is primarily in the south plains of west Texas and eastern New Mexico near and south of Portales, New Mexico, but they are grown on a small scale elsewhere in the South as the best flavored and preferred type for boiled peanuts.  This type is used heavily for sale roasted and salted in-shell peanuts and peanut butter.

FOOTNOTE

Tengu Natural Foods and Alishan were founded on peanut butter.    Jack has spent his life eating peanut butter.

“Where ever I have gone I sampled local blends.  I fondly recalling peanut butter made  in Sudan, Uganda, Indonesia and Australia.   All good,  the Ugandan very good  but none as good as American.

I have a souvenir jar from when we first imported  PB  to Japan ( 1987).   Years ago Fay and I made a pilgrimage to Tuskegee Institute to pay homage to George Washington Carver the “inventor” or “father”  of modern American PB

I love our PB and I have been enjoying  it since the early 70’s.  Sadly it has changed.

Why?    Due to the price of cotton.     Cotton and organic peanuts share the same environment.   The price farmers get for organic cotton is so high that OANB’s organic peanut farmers have switched to just cotton.

This was not good news for our maker Once Again Nut Butter.   They have prided themselves on their  organic peanuts with the skins still on that they made into wonderful  butter

They always used special Valencia peanuts from New Mexico for our butter.   But they are no more.  Now they are using   “runner” style peanuts from Argentina.   USDA/NOP organic certified  but sadly it is different than what we are all used to.

If the farmers come back we want to switch back to our original peanut.   We will keep you posted.”

The much loved symbol of Earth Day.

All the work shop booths were hand made.

It was freezing!!

The non-electric cafe

Recycled candle workshop

Due to the low temperature, the yoga class turned into an aerobics class

After the nuclear contamination last march, many farmers in Tochigi and Fukushima planted sunflowers to try and absorb some of the radiation. There was a bumper harvest of sunflowers at the end of the year and much thought was given to how this resource could be used. It was found that even sunflowers grown in highly contaminated soil could be used to produce sunflower oil that had no trace of contamination. It appears that any radiation absorbed by the plant is held within the stalk and leaves and not released into the seed. This booth was run by a group of farmers involved in this project. You can find out more by calling: tel.0285-37-7366 (Japanese only)

ジョンジョンフェ スティ バルさんのライブ

アイリッシュのリズムで心が温まります！

ウッドボイラーで足湯の実演

福島からいらした中嶋さんのロケットストーブ。完成度の高さはさすがプロ。基本のロケットストーブプラス、いろいろな工夫でさらにバージョンアップさせているそうです。家や用途に合わせて設置してくださる業者さんでもあります。

栃木の江連苺農園 イチゴへの愛がいっぱいの江連さん

ANIMAL WALK TOKYO

An Event for animal lovers everywhere and a great chance to get out into the Spring sunshine (hopefully!). An international group of volunteers has formed their own organization working towards animal welfare in Japan. Help them raise funds for their work by joining in. The event will be held in Yoyogi park. Reception opens at 8.30 and the walk begins at 9am. It costs 2000 yen per person or 4000 yen per family. You can find out more information on their homepage.

Tengu has be involved with TELL for 25 years.  When we first shipped boxes of granola and PB in the pre-internet era we would include fliers about TELL.   They provided a much needed service then which we feel is even more needed now.  For us the Children’s Day walk around the Imperial Palace  is a family tradition.  Not sure when we started but Jay and Kay but they were very small.    This year we are providing Nakd Bars to all participants.    Exercise and fruit/nut snacks ( no added sugars of course) for everyone.   Hope to see you there.   If interested please click here

J-Wave Flea Market in Roppongi Hills 2012

A group of Tokyo Animal Refuge Kansai (ARK) volunteers are organizing a stall at the J-Wave Flea Market in Roppongi Hills on Saturday May 5th and Sunday May 6th, 2012.  Funds raised will be donated towards the ARK Sasayama sanctuary.

Time: 10:00-16:00

Place: Roppongi Hills Arena

If anybody has any items they would like to donate ARK would love to hear from you.  The following three options are available in delivering the goods to Tokyo ARK;

1. Post your items to the Tokyo ARK office.  In order to avoid harassment or abandonment of animals to Tokyo ARK office, Tokyo ARK office does not publish their physical address. For address details please contact Machiko Nakano on 080 6517 8913 (Japanese) or Julie Okamoto on 090 6326 0075.

2.    Drop off at the Tokyo ARK office on Saturday April 28th between 10am and 6pm (again, for address details see above).

3.    Depending on availability we may be able to arrange a convenient time and place to meet to pick up your items.  Please contact Machiko or Julie as above.

**  Please provide a piece of paper with a list of your donation item(s) and your email address with your donation.

Please note the following guidelines:

• We cannot accept food (includes homemade and canned items).
• We cannot accept plants and animals.
• Clothes should be new, or not too outdated, and without stains.  We can only accept clothes that are washed or dry cleaned.
• Household items should be new or in good condition.  We cannot accept worn out household items or used     kitchenware/plates.
• We cannot accept electronics.
• Shoes should be new or in very good condition/not very worn.

Your generosity would be most appreciated.

Thanking you in advance for your co-operation and understanding.

HI,

Foodex was March 6 to 9th.  Asia’s largest food trade fair happens yearly at Makuhari Messe in Chiba and Alishan was there as we are every year.    Half way through the 9th Fay and I left and flew to LA to attend Natural Expo West America’s largest natural/organic food trade fair.  Due to the international date line we were able to live  March 9th twice.   For us Expo West (9th till 11th)   is a chance to meet and visit with so many of our American and even European suppliers.  Also to be reminded of a totally different way of visualizing and organizing a food business.   Biofach in Germany,   Foodex in Japan and Expo West in America are so different in feeling, style and theme.   Here are a few pictures and comments about Expo West at Anaheim California.

My favorite booth.   A perpetual struggle for us is what to do with left over pallets.    We have built compost systems,    fences,  chicken houses,   used as firewood for ofuro,    once used 60 to build a music stage in the forest.  These people built a complete cafe from pallets at the show.    If you need some (for free) please call us.

This is Joe  and Micheal of Alvarado Street Bakery.  I have known them both for over 15 years.   Alvarado is completely worker owned.   Everyone makes a living wage and profits as the company grows  ( or sees their salary decrease if profits go down.    Alvarado bread is whole grain incredibleness.    They are now selling into school systems for use in lunch programs for students.    The Federal government is forcing school to decrease fat, increase fiber and improve nutrition in the school system

I

One hot item at the show was Chia Seed.    We will be offering it very soon.   For Japan where flax seed is sadly a no no Chia delivers the omega 3/6’s and other wonders.  More soon.

Flax is still a wonder food.   Now you can pour it on your cereal.   Think soymilk made from flax.

One growth area at the show is Japanese Food.   All types.  So many firms.  Some Japanese makers in Japan.    Others Japanese Americans making in California.  Easily 20 booths at the show.    Also coming from Asia were Taiwanese “vegetarian” shrimp makers.  Using konyuku. It was quite acceptable.     Korean,  Thai and Indian companies with organic and natural products were also often found.

This photo is  Okada san .   Him and his son were part of the original wave of bringing Japanese Macrobiotic foods to the west 30 years ago.   Okada san has been our friend and helped us since we first met at an early IFOAM meeting in Tokyo in the late 80’s.     They provide Tengu Foods with our original organic coffee 23 years ago.  Hawaiian Gold I recall.

Sweet potatoes…a way forward for Japanese farmers with ideas.

Eden has been part of what Alishan offers since the early days.  Below is Fay talking with Michael Potter one of the founders.   Eden worked with Muso in introducing Japanese  foods to American hippies in the 1980s.   They brought soymilk from Japan and then built the first aseptic soymilk factory in American.

Below is Tofutown our pate and veggie sausage supplier from Germany.

I dont think we will be stocking this one  but it was interesting……Organic Peanut Butter fortified with superfoods like acai in a single serve squeeze tube for those on the go.

Absolutely everywhere at Expo was young green coconut water.  Some fortified with whatever,  flavored, powdered  ( yes powdered water). Most are ghastly.  This wasd wonderful.   Almost like the real thing.   Sadly sold refrigerated with a short shelf life.   We will keep drinking and looking.  Their booth was also quite distinctive.

Organic things for babies were everywhere.   These are cookies for nursing mothers.   The data on increasing milk production was impressive.   To short a shelf life for us to import but you can certainly make your own.  Two of the special ingredients    brewers/nutritonal yeast and flax seed.   Want more info?  www.milkmakers.com

Amys is the biggest and busiest booth at the show.    They are running dozens of ovens baking up organic vegetarian pizzas, burritos,  cakes,   pies etc and offering massive samples.  That is why it is so crowded on the left.

At the end of the show exhibitors often donate directly to the Second Harvest Food Bank   Second Harvest Japan works closely and has learn so much from them

and that was the show for us.  Afterwards we met up with our children  Jay and Kay who are now going to school in America and went out into the desert for hiking and down to the ocean for some beautiful views.

thanks

Jack

Croccante are our new crunchy nut bars from Italy. There are four different types of bar: hazelnut, peanut, sesame and white almond. These are nut-only bars, stuck together with a mixture of sugar and honey but are not as sweet as this would imply. They have a very brittle, crunchy texture with just the right amount of sweetness so the taste of the nuts isn’t lost. Hazelnuts are particularly hard to find in Japan making these a special treat and the perfect snack to go with an espresso. They also make great building materials if you like making houses!

Kinchakuda Nanohana Matsuri
April 14th（sat）10:00〜15:00
April 15th（sun）9:00〜15:00

Alishan will be there serving natural sweets, pita sandwiches, soup, inka coffee, herb tea and organic juice! Do drop by and say “Hi”. There will even be a mini-SL train (with half the staff on it no doubt)! You can find out more information here.