Taste the excellence of Japanese tea at Omotesando Chachanoma
2018-12-18
Taste the excellence of Japanese tea at Omotesando Chachanoma
Have you ever tried Japanese green tea? If you've been to Japan you must have had it along with meals.
Recently, the number of people who visit cafes or tea houses to try authentic Japanese tea is becoming popular especially as a way to remember their trip to Japan!
In this feature, we introduce one such place where you can truly enjoy the traditional flavors of Japanese tea, Chachanoma (茶茶の間).
The Japanese tea sommelier makes each cup with utmost sincerity. It is said that "You can taste Japanese mountains in Japanese tea!"
What does this mean? Let's find out!
Sencha (煎茶) is brewed thrice by changing the water temperature.
The first time when the leaves are fresh, you brew the tea at a lower temperature; then you pour cold water into the teapot. You brew the tea for about three minutes so you can taste the umami.
The second time, since you brew the same leaves again, the water temperature is higher than the first time. You don't have to wait for a long time before drinking this second brew. The tea had a wonderfully elegant aroma.
The third time, you can enjoy the taste and aroma of the tea that emanates from its depths since the same leaves have been brewed twice already. You can see how the leaves have changed color after finishing the third brew. Since you can see the leaves returning green similar to how they appeared when picked from the plants on the mountain, it is said that you can "get a taste of the mountains in Japanese tea."
You can taste the depth of flavors as the sweetness cuts through the bitterness but you will also realize that each brew offers a completely different flavor.
You can also try matcha here (not the watered down version you get in vending machines).
Check out this video to see how tea is made at Chachanoma!
Of course, like any traditional tea ceremony, no tea experience is complete without Japanese sweets. Some of the things we tasted at Chachanoma.
Chacha No Hon Warabi Mochi (茶茶の本わらび餅)
Bracken-starch dumplings covered in kinako (sweet toasted soybean flour) is an excellent choice to have with matcha.
Zenzai usually refers to red bean soup made with adzuki beans and this one goes well with the sencha.
Chachanoma celebrated its 13-year anniversary in 2018! Enjoying a patronage from regular customers as well as many foreigners who wish to learn about tea, Chachanoma is a lovely place to relax.
We hope you get a chance to enjoy the aroma of real green tea as well as savor its taste. It's something you must do when visiting Japan!
Omotesando Chachanoma (表参道 茶茶の間)
Address 5-13-14 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan (Google MAP)
Business hours: 11:00 - 19:00 (11:00 - sold out or L.O. 18:00)
Closed on Monday, Tuesday (Open in case of a public holiday)
Official Website: http://chachanoma.com/Download the Ikidane Nippon App: iOS / Android
In this feature, we introduce one such place where you can truly enjoy the traditional flavors of Japanese tea, Chachanoma (茶茶の間).
