KHUMBU

That walk in the Mountains you’ve been planning is finally happening, right? One of the 14 “Eight-Thousanders” could be attempted for a summit. So then, what do you propose? A trek up the North Face of Shishapangma? That beautiful drive up the Abruzzi Spur, right? Perhaps a journey through the perilous Khumbu icefield, where Everest is located. 

We have special tea for your long adventure, so you’re in luck!  Green tea grown in Hunan, named after the world-famous ice field, because it goes well with a day spent in the mountains, since it is harvested from a specific sub-genus of Camelia Sinensis, is one of the few teas that retains all green tea’s health advantages even when not heated.

The dried leaf may be used to make three to five infusions, each of which is refreshing and high in vitamin C. Pack space is limited on a long climb, so anything that can be fed and used again is crucial.

Then, environmental factors become important to consider. On the Eight-Thousanders, there is potentially zero oxygen and zero shade. The massive ice and snow fields atop Everest and the granite slopes of the mountain cause the temperature there to soar to about 100 degrees Celsius throughout the day. Studies done recently demonstrate that green tea’s strong antioxidant content helps protect against sun poisoning. Altitude sickness can be treated with green tea because it increases blood oxygen levels.

Surely, there must be more! The taste has not even been described; it is a complex blend of fresh green scents and a little sweetish aftertaste. (You already know that ice enhances the deliciousness of this dish.)