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This week Talking Tea talks matcha with Tyas Huybrechts, founder and blogger at Tea Talk, a blog devoted entirely to Japanese green teas. Matcha, a powdered green tea that's whisked into a frothy brew, is fast becoming the caffeinated drink of choice among many in the West, and Tyas tells us about matcha's history and cultural background in Japan, how it's grown and processed, and what to look for in buying quality matcha. 

Tyas is also a long-time student (and soon-to-be tea master) of the Enshu school of Japanese tea, and he shares some of his insights and personal perspectives about matcha in the Enshu tradition.

In our next episode, Part 2 of "Talkin' Matcha", Tyas gives us a detailed guide on how to prepare matcha at home. Stay tuned!

Tyas' blog, Tea Talk, is at www.tea-talk.be, and is packed with information about Japanese green teas. You can also follow him on Twitter @TeaTalkBe and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TeaTalkBe.

For more information on Talking Tea and updates on new episodes, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/talkingtea.

To inquire about being a guest or having your organization featured, please email us at talkingteapodcasts@gmail.com.

Talking Tea is produced and hosted by Ken Cohen. You can follow Ken on Twitter @Kensvoiceken. 

This podcast features music from "Japanese Flowers" (https://soundcloud.com/mpgiii/japanese-flowers) by mpgiiiBEATS (https://soundcloud.com/mpgiii) available under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/). Adapted from original.

The second edition of our coverage direct from Worlds! Blythe, The Couch Gymnast's, Beatrice Gheorghisor and a full gymnerd guest-posse discuss the qualification rounds at World Championships in Antwerp. We cover: Larisa Iordache waiting for 10 minutes on podium, Louis Smith's scent, Isbaza upgrades, Mustafina's strategy, giant moth attacks, fairness of execution scores across all subdivisions, the rug burn on Nabieva's forehead (two and a half to front layout half to face-plant), the kidnapping of famed playboy Tandoori Poulet, how beam finals scores prove the tragedy of the Australian decision to leave their gymnasts at home, Maroney's overtime deduction on floor, and Italian love affairs. 

Blythe reports in from the World Championships in Antwerp. She's watched workouts in the training hall and podium training. We talk about new skill submissions, Simone Biles putting the world on notice, Maroney competing all-around, Mustafina's conditioning and amazing bar routine where she is catching a Seitz in mixed grip, Tatiana Nabiyeva's possible concussion, Ilordache's full on balance beam, The Moors in person, Sam Mikulak, and Mr. Baby- Japan-7.4-Floor-Oh-And-I-Can-Do-A-Triple-Twisting-Yurchenko Shirai Kenzo