There's been a lot of talk about Japanese green teas like Matcha and Sencha lately. What's the best way to pair them to enjoy their flavor?
In this article, we would like to introduce you to, among other things, what exactly is served in the Tea Pavilions in Japan.
Along with serving tea, traditional Japanese sweets , Wagashi , are often served.
In general, Japanese sweets have been made for over two thousand years, but they were simple and quick to prepare.
Wagashi evolved during the Edo period (17th century) and became refined in terms of its exquisite taste, but also in terms of the craftsmanship of its makers. As a result, sweets very similar to those we have in Japan today were created.
Exchanges between Japan and the outside world flourished during the Meiji period (beginning in 1869). With the arrival of modern stoves and other devices in Japan, new Wagashi began to be created. This is how the Wagashi that we can find in Japan to this day were created.
Seasonal events play an important role in the daily life and culture of the Japanese. Each month has an event that marks the season. Examples include the New Year's Day ( Oshogatsu ) in January, the last day of winter in the traditional calendar ( Setsubun ) in February, the Doll Festival ( Hinamatsuri ) in March, and Children's Day ( Kodomo-no-Hi ) in May.
Wagashi are an essential part of these events. For example, Hishimochi and Hinaarare are eaten during the Doll Festival in March, and Kashiwamochi and Chimaki are eaten in May on Children's Day. Hence, another important feature of Wagashi is that the types that are made change with each event.
Wagashi are low in sugar, making them a healthier alternative to currently available sweets. Wahashi may contain dried fruit, nuts, sesame, green tea, yuzu , mochi , anko , cherry blossoms, sugar, etc. They are an ideal snack for vegans, as they do not contain milk or any animal products.
Wagashi comes in various forms and depending on what the sweet is made of, it affects its expiration date. If you are interested in buying them as a souvenir, you should pay special attention to their expiration date so that you do not bring back expired sweets when you return to your home country.
Sweets that go well with matcha tea are wasanbon and anmitsu . Wasanbon is a kind of powdery sweet that goes well with the bitterness of matcha . Anmitsu is a Japanese confection made with anko , white bean flour, ice, and syrup. This dessert, when combined with matcha tea, creates the perfect balance between the umami of tea and the sweet taste of anmitsu .
Sencha tea is also served with various Wagashi . We recommend trying Wagashi containing Mochi , such as Dango , Sakura Mochi , Kusa Mochi , etc.
Both green tea and wagashi have a rich history and are part of the unique Japanese culture. They are essential elements of the tea ceremony. We hope you will have the opportunity to combine your favorite wagashi with your favorite green tea.
