Matcha by Ippodo
300 YEARS HISTORY TEA SHOP, IPPODO.
I'm surprised by knowing there are many company has more than 100 years history as I keep digging up. And lots of them are located in Kyoto. Ippodo, the tea shop is one of them.
Ippodo (一保堂) has 300 years of business history. One of the oldest company in Japan. Plus, there are around 80 department stores throughout Japan that sale Ippodo's tea.
If you would like to try Japanese tea the first time. Ippodo should be a neat choice. If you like matcha, then, you should definitely try Ippodo.
Ippodo's matcha has wide range of variation. Variation of thickness. Their such rich selection will satisfy whom from light to heavy user.
Matcha Unmon no Mukashi, (雲門の昔).
Price: ¥2,160
20g. The thickest and superior matcha of Ippodo. If you like creamy, mild sweet matcha, this is what you'd want to try.
Matcha Imamukashi, (今昔). Price: ¥432
20g. The lightest type of matcha. Rich aroma of matcha followed by slightly bitterness. This would be the easiest one to try as your very first time.
Gyokuro Tenkaichi, (玉露天下一).
Price: ¥10,800
97g in fancy tin. The best quality but also the most expensice Gyokuro tea of Ippodo. Use 10g and put with 60℃(140F) water and wait for 90 seconds. Even a couple of drops will make you feel the "umami" of Gyokuro.
There are so many other to choose from at the store. There are 11 grades of Matcha and dozens of other tea. If you have to time visit their company store in Kyoto and Tokyo. (There is also a store in New York.) If not, try locating their satellite shops in department stores.
Where to buy: "Ippodo"
Kyoto main store.
Address: 52, Tokiwagicho, Nakagyo ward, Kyoto city, Kyoto
Open hours: 9:00 to 18:00
Closed on: New years
Tokyo Marunouchi store.
Address: 1F Kokusai building, 3-1-1, Marunocuhi, Chiyoda ward, Tokyo
Open hours: 11:00 to 19:00
Ippodo New York.
Address: 125 East 39th Street, New York, NY
Open hours: 11:00 to 19:00
Closed on: Monday
Store list of Ippodo.
Ippodo official site.
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