Ways to Utilize Used Green Tea Leaves

As you may know, green tea is known to contain various preventative health benefits. However, after brewing tea, many people simply throw away the tea leaves without realizing that they still contain catechins, proteins, carotene, and fibers that are good for the body. Here are some creative ways to utilize used green tea leaves:

1. Freshly Brewed Tea Leaves:

• Tsukudani: Stir the tea leaves with some oil, add sake, sugar, soy sauce, milin, red pepper, and sesame seeds, and cook until the leaves are dry.
• Fried Rice: Add one tablespoon of vegetable oil to a wok, stir in an egg, add some rice and minced tea, and season with salt and pepper.
• Dashimaki (Japanese Omelet): Mix eggs, salt, soy sauce, sugar, dashijiru, shredded carrots, and used tea, then cook on a pan.
• Kakiage: Mix an egg, chilled water, flour, chopped tea, shredded carrots, and canned tuna, and deep fry the mixture.
• Tempura: Grade yamaimo, mix with chopped tea, and deep fry, then sprinkle with powdered tea and salt.

2. Dried Tea Leaves:

• Furikake: Cut the dried tea leaves into small pieces and sprinkle them on tofu, natto, spaghetti, grilled fish, meat, or rice.
• Deodorizer: Place used tea in a small container in the refrigerator to absorb odors, or sprinkle used tea on the grill after cooking meat or fish to absorb the smell.
• Green Tea Bath: Stuff a small cotton pouch with used green tea and place it in the bathtub to enjoy the aroma and help with various skin problems.
• Tea Pillow: Stuff a pillow with dried used tea to enjoy the aroma and promote relaxation during sleep.
• Sterilization: Cut the used tea leaves into small pieces and sprinkle them on cutting boards and knives to sterilize them.
• Deodorizer for Shoes: Place used tea in a container and put it in the corner of a shoe box, or stuff some used tea in stockings and place them in shoes.

By utilizing used green tea leaves, you can not only reduce waste but also reap additional benefits for your health and home.