Tea
Uji Tea
What Is Uji Tea?
Uji tea is considered one of Japan's three great teas, alongside Shizuoka Tea and Sayama Tea. The production area of Uji tea, “Kyoto Tea Country,” has a long history, and is particularly known for its matcha (powdered green tea). It is also an amazing place where the processing method of sencha (one of the most common Japanese teas) was developed, which was popularized nationwide, and where gyokuro (luxury Japanese green tea) originated. Moreover, the region's sloping tea fields create breathtaking landscapes. Uji tea boasts beautiful colors, delightful tastes, and enchanting aromas, and sweets and dishes using Uji tea have been growing in popularity.
Enjoy Matcha Sweets and Dishes in Uji
The history of Uji matcha dates back to the Kamakura Period (1185-1333). After the Muromachi Period (1336-1573), it spread to samurai and merchants with the rise of the tea ceremony in Japan. Around the mid-Muromachi Period, tea from Uji achieved the status of the best tea.
Today, you can find a wide variety of sweets and dishes using Uji matcha. They include parfait, ice cream, soft serve, cake, chocolate, soba (noodles made with buckwheat flour), tempura, dango (Japanese sweet dumplings), tofu (soft food made from soy milk), croquettes, and curry. People enjoy Uji matcha treats in-store, while strolling, or as gifts. Popular ones are tasty, and seasonal specials are attractive as well.
Uji matcha green tea dishes
Uji flourished as a hub for tea since the Muromachi Period, and here you'll find sweets and dishes made using matcha green tea, a specialty of Uji. From matcha parfaits to matcha hard and soft ice cream, matcha cake, matcha soba noodles, matcha dumplings, matcha tofu, matcha croquettes, and matcha curry, matcha foods are popular both to eat in and take out as souvenirs. There are also many limited time seasonal items available.
