The unknown world of matcha. IPPUKU & MATCHA explores the current state and potential of matcha

Tea time is a time to relax and unwind during busy days. It is common to take a break and enjoy a cup of coffee, black tea, or sencha tea, but many people find matcha tea intimidating.
But it would be a shame to avoid matcha without knowing its charm! In fact, matcha can be enjoyed without being bound by the proper etiquette, and it has a beneficial effect on both the mind and body. We spoke with Roque Alvin, manager of IPPUKU & MATCHA Nihonbashi, a specialty store where you can casually enjoy authentic Uji matcha, about the little-known charms and ways to enjoy matcha.

The charm of matcha that even Japanese people don't realize

- First of all, what was it that attracted you to matcha?
Previously, I was running a cafe as an assistant manager at a long-established matcha farmer in Uji who liked the cafe. When he was looking to start a matcha cafe, he asked for my advice, and I helped him out for about a year and a half from the preparations for the opening.
- So that was your first encounter with matcha.
Yes. Through that connection, I learned about the charm of Uji matcha and the harsh reality of the farmers, and I wanted to spread the word about this wonderful matcha, like a traditional Japanese craft, to the world.

Roque Alvin, manager of IPPUKU&MATCHA Nihonbashi store

- Even for Japanese people today, matcha is not something that is readily available.
When it comes to matcha, many people may have the image that it is bitter, that the etiquette is strict, or that they don't know how to enjoy it. In fact, at the time, I didn't really know much about the taste of matcha or how to enjoy it.
However, Uji matcha, which is still made using traditional methods and takes time and effort, is incredibly delicious. And in fact, with just a bamboo whisk, you can enjoy matcha just as easily as instant coffee.

--If you think about it, all you have to do is mix matcha and hot water in a teacup, and it certainly seems easy.
Furthermore, matcha has many beneficial effects on the body! Matcha, which is popular as a superfood overseas, is truly a natural energy drink.
Just as Italians drink espresso every day, I wanted matcha to become a familiar drink for Japanese people, so I started IPPUKU&MATCHA. In September 2019, I opened the IPPUKU&MATCHA Nihonbashi store, a specialty store for Uji matcha.

There is a secret tea room at the back of the shop. In this extraordinary space, you can leisurely savor the rare single-origin Uji matcha.

What is the world's first single-origin matcha?

- IPPUKU&MATCHA offers the world's first "single-origin matcha."
How is it different from regular matcha?
Single origin matcha is unblended matcha from a single variety and single farm. Generally, most matcha is distributed as a blend. Prices vary widely, with those that are mass-produced by machine harvesting being easy to find, while those that are hand-picked and selected with chopsticks are expensive because they cannot be mass-produced.
- I see.
Recent research has revealed that amino acids called polyamines are found in abundance only in hand-picked first-flush tea leaves that have been naturally cultivated. Since matcha is made by eating the tea leaves themselves, it is also attractive that you can consume all of the nutrients without leaving anything behind. This rare matcha is 100% produced in Uji and is hand-picked. Please enjoy the different flavors depending on the variety.

- When we think of single origin, many people think of coffee, but it seems like there is still a lot of room for matcha to expand its potential.
That's right. I want matcha to become familiar to many people, just like coffee. We are developing new menu items, preparing a YouTube channel, and working to let everyone know more about the charms of matcha.

Take-out Uji matcha drinks

A commitment to matcha sweets that goes beyond "Japanese"

Another great thing about matcha is that it can be enjoyed not only as a drink, but also as a dessert. Here are the top 3 most popular matcha desserts at IPPUKU & MATCHA!
1st Place: Matcha Matcha Pudding
2nd Place: Matcha Matcha Tart
3rd Place: Matcha Terrine

All of these may be standard matcha sweets, but IPPUKU & MATCHA, which knows matcha inside and out, makes them a little different. All of the recipes that make the most of the matcha flavor were created by a chef from a French restaurant. In order to overturn the image of matcha = Japanese, they have been deliberately arranged into Western-style sweets. This summer, they will also be offering new chilled matcha sweets!
They also take into consideration the health effects of their products, and are particular about the ingredients they combine with matcha. All of their sugar is beet sugar, which is rich in minerals and does not cool the body, and most of their products are additive-free and gluten-free.

By the way, IPPUKU&MATCHA not only serves Uji matcha, but also serves excellent roasted green tea. The roasted green tea chocolate croissant is apparently the most popular item among the staff.
A little break is a reward to soothe your mind and body. Please enjoy a cup of bliss.