Previous article was about beautiful photo spots on Uji city.
In this article, we introduce "maccha" which is the most famous thing of Uji city.
Why Is “Maccha” in Uji City Good?
Maccha (green tea) has become produced in various production area now. However, most famous and old production area is Uji.
Following the coming of spring, when its young leaves begin to grow, puts a shading over the tea garden in Uji. The primary aim of the shading is to protect young leaves from late frost. And other two benefits are keeping good flavor by shut out from the sunlight and keeping it bright green color. This cultivation method is traditional method which is lasting over 600 years old. That is why tea garden in Uji is covered with characteristic shading during the tea harvesting season in May. From the outside, you can see there is no tea tree, but on the inside, there is bright green and looks like “The secret garden”.
Even now young tea leaves are carefully picked by hand. Harvested young leaves are immediately carry out to the factory. Then they are steamed and dried like potato chips by the over 10-meter length oven that is made of bricks. At the end, cut the tea leaves into the proper size and grind them in a stone mill, this is the perfection of Maccha.
How to brew delicious tea
What you need
・A Maccha teacup, a tea whisk and a sieve
・A tea scoop or measuring spoon
・A cup of mug to cool the boiled water
＊If you use sieve to sift the Maccha powder, it makes it easier to create smooth foam.
①Put 2 tea scoops of Maccha, about 1.7g in the mug.
②Pour one third (70-80cc) of the hot water with a temperature of around 80 degrees C.With the opposite of your dominant hand, hold the teacup firmly. With the index, middle finger, and thumb of your dominant hand, hold the tea whisk’s bamboo handle. First, mix tea powder very gently in the wrist back and forth to mix it well. At the end, move the tea whisk elegantly to smooth out the surface of the tea and then take the whisk out very slowly.
③It is done when the surface of the tea is covered with very creamy foam.
If you attend Japanese tea ceremony…
In general, drink Maccha after eating traditional Japanese snack or sweets.
① Lift Maccha teacup by your right hand onto your left hand. And puts your head slightly down to explain your gratitude.
② Turn clockwise your Maccha teacup 90 degrees two times. Then the front of your Maccha teacup locates opposite to you.The reason of this action is to avoid soiling its pattern or decoration.
③ Wipe Maccha on your Maccha teacup with your fingertip. And dry your fingertip with Kaishi (Japanese tissue) this is a paper that sweets have placed.After drinking Maccha, turn counterclockwise your Maccha teacup 90 degrees two times on your left hand. Then the front of your Maccha teacup faces to you.
Best places to enjoy good Maccha in Uji
A little formal tea ceremony
"Fukujuen Uji-tea Atelier"
Address: 10 Uji Yamada, Uji, Kyoto
Business hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Last orders at 4:00 p.m.)Closed at Monday ＊You have to make a reservation by up to 3 days before.
Maccha sweets
Tsuji Rihei Honten Kyoto Uji Main Shop
Address: 41 Uji Wakamori, Uji, Kyoto
Business hours: 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. (Last orders at 5:00 p.m.)
Closed on Tuesday
Popular Menu
Uji Maccha Parfait
Jelly
Stone-ground Uji Maccha
Seasonal (Maccha) Mont Blanc
Souvenir
CHEZ HAGATA
Address: 44-11 Todotanisagari, Uji, Kyoto
Business hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Closed on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Most recommended Maccha sweets for souvenir
Terrine of Maccha
You can buy a lot of kinds of sweets like cookies, Swiss roll, and so on.
Let’s go to Uji city!!
Did you find it fascinating? Please visit Uji city and enjoy Japanese beautiful scenery and traditional sweet. It's definitely going to be worth it!
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