Apple and Matcha Zombie Ooze   The origin of Halloween can be traced back to an ancient pagan festival called Samhain, celebrated by the Celtic people over 2,000 years ago. They believed that during this time the dead walked amongst the living, and so ghoulish costumes were worn to disguise them from the wandering spirits. Food and wine were also offered to appease the spirits, in the hope that they would protect them during the harsh winter months. During the 9th century, in an attempt to replace the pagan tradition, the Catholic Church declared November 1 as All Saint’s Day and November 2 as All Soul’s Day. The night before All Saint’s Day was referred to as All Hallow’s Eve, which we recognise today as Halloween. To celebrate this Halloween, try out our delicious spooky treat, inspired by the humble apple: a fruity fixture found at every Halloween celebration. Rich in antioxidants, flavanoids, and dietary fibre, apples can help to reduce the risk of developing cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. In fact, they’re so famous for their health benefits – they even have their own slogan! Apples make a great pairing with Matcha, a finely ground powder made from green tea leaves (in Japanese, the word ‘Matcha’ literally means ‘powder tea’). It is believed that the very first green tea seeds were brought to Japan from China by the Zen Monk Eisai, who planted them on the temple grounds in Kyoto. There are numerous health benefits associated with Matcha. When you drink a cup of Matcha tea, you ingest the entire leaf and receive 100% of the nutrients contained within it. It has 137 times more antioxidants than regularly brewed green tea, with one cup providing a similar nutritional content to 10 cups of regularly brewed green tea. Now without further ado, let the delicious Horror show begin. Preparation Time : 45-60 mins Cooking Time : upto 5 mins Ingredients: 90g/3.25oz gelatin powder (unflavoured, clear) 5g/0.25oz matcha powder 15ml/0.5fl oz honey 10ml/0.33fl oz lime juice 200ml/6.75fl oz water 200ml/6.75fl oz apple juice Method: Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring continuously until gelatin is fully dissolved. Aspirate into syringes. Chill for at least an hour in the refrigerator.