Overseas business
Dealing with inquiries from customers from around the world in person, transcending borders and time differences.
Which Ippodo product do you use?
What is your special way of preparing Japanese tea?
I prepare matcha amazake, mixing matcha with amazake, a sweet drink made from fermented rice that has a reputation as a superfood. I got the idea when I thought to combine these two drinks after seeing customers from other countries finding new ways to enjoy matcha by thinking outside the box. When I make it, I begin by preparing usucha—usually whisking 2 grams of matcha with 60 ml of water at 80°C, but I sometimes make adjustments depending on how I feel at the time—and then add amazake until it achieves the taste I’m aiming for. I enjoy the creamy foam and rich sweetness of amazake together with matcha’s hint of bitterness.
How do you enjoy it?
I make it as a little reward for myself in the afternoon on weekdays when I begin to feel the fatigue after a lot of brainwork. It’s best around snack time, when I’m feeling a bit peckish. This slightly special taste motivates me to make that final push to wrap up the day’s work.
Overseas business
Helping people around the world to take an Ippodo tea break.
Which Ippodo product do you use?
What is your special way of preparing Japanese tea?
I like light and refreshing gyokuro soda, which I make by mixing cold-brewed Tekiro Gyokuro with carbonated water. I learned to prepare it this way at the Food and Tools Market event I took part in last year at the Hanshin Umeda Main Store’s Food Festival Terrace. When I first drank gyokuro soda, which was presented as a Japanese tea that goes well with meals, I thought it was very delicious and enjoyable, and I was hooked. The bubbles enhanced gyokuro’s fragrance.
I chose Tekiro from among our gyokuro teas because when it is mixed with carbonated water it allows you to enjoy both rich umami and a light, refreshing taste. It has a moderate astringency that makes for a pleasing, well-balanced taste that goes well with meals.
How do you enjoy it?
On my days off, I like to make cold-brewed Tekiro in advance, and then drink it mixed with carbonated water when I feel like taking a break. I prepare it by brewing 10 grams of tea leaves in 200 ml of chilled water for thirty minutes. Then, I pour a fifty-fifty serving of carbonated water and cold-brewed Tekiro into a glass full of ice, and it’s ready!
The fizz brings out the fragrance, so I recommend pouring the Tekiro in last. If you cool your favourite glass in the refrigerator beforehand, the ice together with the look of the drink will make you feel even cooler and more refreshed.
During the hot summer, I recommend pairing it with a flavourful meal or deep-fried food, or with fruit like chilled apples or strawberries. The refreshing taste of gyokuro soda enhances the flavour of savoury meals and fruit. And I’m sure you’ll be able to think of other things to pair it with.
Overseas business
I handle both orders and customer support, sending Ippodo tea to people throughout the world!
Which Ippodo product do you use?
What is your special way of preparing Japanese tea?
I prepare matcha using chilled water, rather than hot water. I get sweetness and sharpness precisely because I whisk it with chilled water.
That tastes great as is, but when I’m really tired and want something a bit sweeter, I add a little agave syrup.
How do you enjoy it?
It’s great for when you want to give yourself a refreshing break! When you pour the whisked matcha into your favourite glass filled with ice and hear the sound of the ice cracking, you’ll forget the summer heat and feel cooler. This alone turns everyday deskwork or time at home into a little slice of heaven!
If you want to pair it with something, I recommend enjoying it with a financier, a small French almond cake that has moist texture and rich, buttery flavour. That complements matcha’s sharp astringency and umami flavour. Ice-cold matcha also pairs well with fruit like cherries and peaches. The wonderful fragrance and sweet-and-sour taste of fruit gives matcha a clean, refreshing finish.
