Hello everyone.
Today, I’d like to clear up a common misunderstanding about Japanese tea.
Many visitors come to Japan hoping to try matcha. Some want to drink it, while others are excited to taste matcha-flavored sweets and chocolate.
If you’re looking for authentic matcha at a Japanese convenience store, however, you may be disappointed.
The bottled green tea sold at Japanese convenience stores is almost always sencha, not matcha.
Although both come from the same tea plant, they are made in very different ways.
Sencha is grown in direct sunlight. After the leaves are harvested, they are steamed, processed, and brewed with hot water.
Matcha, on the other hand, is made from tea leaves that are grown in the shade before harvest. The leaves are then dried and ground into a very fine powder. To prepare traditional matcha, the powder is placed in a bowl, mixed with hot water, and whisked with a bamboo whisk called a chasen.
The taste is completely different from ordinary green tea.
If you want to experience authentic matcha while visiting Japan, I recommend searching Google Maps for “matcha cafe” or “tea ceremony.” You’ll find many places where you can enjoy freshly prepared matcha.
Here’s another interesting fact.
Because matcha has become so popular overseas, some people imagine that Japanese people drink it every day.
In reality, that isn’t the case.
In everyday life, most Japanese people drink sencha, bottled green tea, or other types of tea. Traditional matcha is usually enjoyed during tea ceremonies or on special occasions, and many people drink it only occasionally.
On the other hand, matcha-flavored snacks, ice cream, chocolate, and other sweets are extremely popular in Japan. Most Japanese people have probably eaten matcha-flavored products, even if they rarely drink traditional matcha.
So if you don’t have a chance to drink authentic matcha during your trip, don’t worry.
You’re still likely to enjoy plenty of delicious matcha-flavored treats.
See you next time!
Related Articles
👉 Sparkling Water at Japanese Convenience Stores
Discover how Japanese beverage culture has changed and why sparkling water has become so popular.
👉 Why This Pudding Is So Popular Among Foreign Customers in Japan
One of Japan’s most popular convenience store desserts and a great choice if you enjoy sweet treats.
👉 Why Dorayaki Is So Popular in Japan (The Real Reason)
Learn about one of Japan’s classic traditional sweets, often enjoyed with tea.
👉 What You Can Get for Free at Japanese Convenience Stores (Most Tourists Don’t Know This)
Find out what items and services are actually free at Japanese convenience stores—and what isn’t.
👉 Japanese Alcohol at Convenience Stores (Part 1)
Curious about Japanese drinks? Here’s a beginner’s guide to alcoholic beverages sold at convenience stores.
コメント