Description

Matcha. "Ground tea" is a very fine powder of ground green tea, which has been crushed between two stone millstones. It is used in the Japanese "Chanoyu"> tea ceremony and as a natural coloring or flavoring agent in foods such as mochi and soba, green tea ice cream and a variety of wagashi (Japanese pastries). The region most famous for its matcha is Nishio, in Aishi prefecture; Nishio matcha is called Nishiocha. Matcha is generally quite expensive compared with other forms of tea, although its price depends on its quality. It can be difficult to find outside Japan, as can the instruments traditionally used to prepare and consume it.