Mattcha Latte with Tapioca Pearls

We have been on a mattcha latte kick in our home recently. Stir in instant mattcha into some milk with some sugar and add some cooked tapioca pearls. The key is to have the extra large straws to suck up the tapioca pearls. I see many of these in the upcoming summer.

Matcha

Tapioca Pearl

Yamamotoyama in Nihonbashi 日本橋の山本山

While working at Takashimaya in the historical Nihonbashi district of Tokyo I passed Yamamotoyama everyday on my way to work. The tea shop has a rich history dating back 310 years to 1690. That is older than the United States of America. I am always amazed when I see shops that have been operating for that long in Japan.

My favorite item at Yamamotoyama is their kukicha. It is tea that is made from the stems and twigs of the tea bush. We drink it hot in the winter, and in the heat of the summer, right now, we steep it in cold water and then strain it and put it in the fridge. It is a refreshing drink.

Yamamotoyama is not only a shop that sells tea and nori, but there are two cafes in the shops as well. In the front of the shop you can have some simple sweets and tea under red paper umbrellas. In the back of the shop are tables and chairs for tea and wagashi or sembei. The photo here is an order of both the wagashi and the sembei.

Yamamotoyama 山本山
Chuo-ku, Nihonbashi 2-5-2
03-3281-0010
10:00 – 18:00, no holidays
www.yamamotoyama.co.jp/main.html (Japanese)
www.yamamotoyama-usa.com/ (English for USA site)

Uogashi Meicha Tea Shop in Ginza 銀座のうおがし銘茶

Cha Ginza 茶銀座
Chuo-ku, Ginza 5-5-6
03-3571-1211
11:00 – 19:00 (closed most Mondays, check website)
www.uogashi-meicha.co.jp/shop_01.html (Japanese)

This cool, sleek modern building dedicated to tea in the heart of Ginza, this shop definitely draws the attention of passersby with its glass façade and long, narrow counter on the first floor. Uogashi Meicha has a shop in Tsukiji Market and this Ginza outpost is a great place to take a break from the shopping and to recharge with a healthy cup of green tea. The first floor is a minimalist retail shop with a long wooden counter where you can sample some tea. The 2nd floor is a café ideal for chatting with friends while the 3rd floor is a zen space better suited for introspection and meditation.