Learn about Japan's subtropical Kagoshima Prefecture and the special area of Kirishima (meaning 'fog island') which produces our Ceremonial Grade Japanese Organic Matcha. Find out why Kagoshima is called 'the Naples of the Eastern World' and how Kirishima's geography makes it the perfect place for making organic matcha! Sourcing Our Organic Matcha At TOKYO MATCHA SELECTION, we [...]
The Japanese tea ceremony, also known as 'cha-no-yu', has a very long history. It begins with the arrival of powdered tea (matcha) from China. In Japan, a sophisticated culture grew around matcha as it passed from the hands of Buddhist monks to those of the fashionable aristocracy. Through the influence of the famous tea master [...]
People have long believed that green tea is good for their health. There is plenty of evidence to support this. Studies in Japan have shown, for example, that higher green tea consumption is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. But what of the claims that are made about the health benefits of matcha, [...]
Whenever you enjoy a cup of Japanese green tea, you may wish to let your imagination transport you to a traditional 'chashitsu', the space reserved for the tea ceremony. In this tiny, quiet room constructed of natural materials, you can feel temporarily insulated from the hubbub of everyday life. But how did we get here? [...]
With February just around the corner, the worldwide search for Valentine's Day gifts is underway. As a Japanese tea enthusiast, have you ever wondered how Valentine's Day is celebrated in Japan? As you will discover in this post, Japan has some unique traditions and even some special vocabulary for this time of year. Read on [...]
Can a chocolate bar make it 'big in Japan'? Absolutely! In fact, the story of the KitKat might just be one of the most successful Japanese reinvention stories of all time. This week, we present the story of KitKat in Japan as well as three fantastic new arrivals available from TOKYO MATCHA SELECTION. The Perfect Snack [...]
What's the deal with matcha vs green tea? Exactly what is matcha anyway? This week, we at Tokyo Matcha Selection aim to answer your top questions about our favourite beverage. Let's start with the basics. Green tea is made from the leaves of the evergreen shrub Camellia sinensis. Although 'sinensis' means 'from China', the plant has been [...]
If you do not own a matcha whisk, or even if you do, you may be wondering exactly why such an implement is necessary to achieve a fine cup of matcha. In this post, we'll be explaining why the traditional bamboo whisk is so important and how to use and care for it properly. WHY DO [...]
In our last blog post, we explained what kitchen grade matcha is and why it's worth choosing for culinary purposes over other grades of matcha. Today, we bring you our very own tried and tested recipe for matcha and white chocolate muffins! With their surprising colour and subtle green tea aroma, these muffins are a perfect [...]
Kitchen grade matcha is the best choice for adding a green tea flavour to baked goods and other treats. Whether it's matcha smoothies, matcha cakes or homemade matcha ice cream that you crave, TOKYO MATCHA SELECTION highly recommends using 'kitchen grade' rather than 'daily drink grade' or 'ceremonial grade' matcha in your recipes. Read on [...]