If you're a fan of green tea, you don't really need to travel anywhere specific in Japan to get your fix. All over the country, you'll be able to not just sip tea, but find authentic flavoring in a range of goods such as Kit Kats with double the matcha, fluffy matcha pancakes, and what claims to be the world's most intense green tea ice cream right in Tokyo. It's in one of Japan's tea meccas that you'll find the revival a mysterious but popular matcha-themed dish, however, as a long-standing Kyoto tea house is bringing back its matcha green tea curry.

That's a lot of matcha!

Source: At Press

Located in Uji, Kyoto, and home to Uji matcha, one of Japan's highest quality green teas, Itohkyuemon is one of the region's most well-known tea houses. While they are most famous for their variety of delicious Japanese teas and uji matcha flavored sweets and dishes (these range from green tea parfaits to green tea soba), Itohkyuemon has always embraced merging traditional Japanese green tea culture with modern trends, and so three years ago they released an intriguing batch of matcha curry roux. Having made quite a buzz with its color and word of its unique flavor, Itohkyuemon is re-releasing green tea curry packets.

Source: At Press

Despite being an instant curry packet that can be prepared by microwave or boiling water, Itohkyuemon promises to deliver a mild take on the bitter taste of matcha, balancing it with a rich and slightly spicier curry flavor than before. Two different types of green tea were specially selected for the release, with chicken extract and white pepper said to raise the spiciness level, and help counter the bitterness and deep aroma of matcha. Together, the special curry is said to contain all the color, aroma and umami of a fine cup of matcha that co-exists with the comfort food vessel of curry. Because of this, and it already coming loaded with local vegetables and chicken, it's flexible enough to be used in other Japanese curry staple dishes, such as Green Tea Curry Udon or Green Tea Curry Bread.

Green Tea Curry Udon

Source: At Press

Green Tea Curry Bread

Source: At Press

While Itohkyuemon will be selling the packages from July 1st on their online shop, their multiple branches in Kyoto should all be carrying packages to take home after you enjoy some delectable Uji matcha sweets and a traditional green tea experience. You can find access information for their shops here. Packs are listed at 540 yen.

Source: At Press


By - grape Japan editorial staff.