I serve to guests
Human resources
Warmly supporting Ippodo staff, eagerly taking on any task!
What Japanese tea do you recommend for serving to guests?
Why do you choose it?
My all-time favourite is Hosen. I feel more confident entertaining guests when I have a tea that I know will be good. Hosen has a balance and ease of use that make it delicious no matter how it is prepared, which makes it ideal for serving to guests. And you can enjoy the tea’s refined umami flavour and sharpness whether it is cold-brewed or prepared hot.
How do you prepare it?
I decide on the temperature of the water, amount of tea leaves, and what to serve the tea in based on the guests and the weather, but my favourite way to prepare it is to cool the water a little longer than usual before using it to brew the tea properly. That allows us to thoroughly savour sencha’s umami, but leaves our mouths feeling clean and refreshed. I think it lets my guests get a feel for the quality of Hosen’s tea leaves. To get used to preparing Japanese tea quickly, continue preparing it for a while using the same kyusu and tea leaves. That will definitely make it easier to figure out how to prepare it the way you like it.
Human resources
Serving as a crucial go-between linking Ippodo, people, and things.
What Japanese tea do you recommend for serving to guests?
Obukucha (Good Fortune Tea) 100g Bag
Why do you choose it?
In our family, we make a point of having Obukucha at the end of a big meal at family get-togethers during the New Year holidays. After a meal, Obukucha leaves your mouth feeling refreshed, and it goes wonderfully with after-meal sweets. We make sure to have some Obukucha available on New Year’s Day as a tradition bringing good luck during that time as we rid ourselves of the worries of the previous year and welcome in the New Year.
How do you prepare it?
What I love about Obukucha the most is that it is so easy to prepare. It takes hardly any time. Just put the tea leaves in a kyusu teapot, pour on boiling hot water, let it brew for thirty seconds, and pour it out into teacups.
Department store near the Bank of Japan in Tokyo
Serving as the team’s cornerstone, ensuring balance by focusing on getting things just right.
What Japanese tea do you recommend for serving to guests?
Why do you choose it?
When I was young, whenever my aunt would visit, my mother would serve usucha and castella sponge cake with whipped cream that she made to be not very sweet. Today, I do the same for my guests.
How do you prepare it?
I serve basic usucha. When I prepare the matcha in front of our guests, the sound of whisking and the fragrance of the matcha seem to make my guests anticipate how good it will be. Preparing it like this also makes the conversation and atmosphere more exciting.