Tsuboichi Seicha Honpo is a tea wholesale store that first opened in 1850 in Sakai, a city in Osaka Prefecture where Sen no Rikyu was born, one of the most influential figures of the Japanese way of tea. The store is now selling houjicha latte and matcha latte that can be made in your own home.
Houjicha is normally perceived as a common ordinary tea in Japan, but in recent years it’s seen a growth in popularity with companies making ice cream, lattes and shaved ice with it. Part of the reason of its popularity is that it has comparatively less caffeine than other teas. It’s particularly enjoyed by women in Japan for its image as a being relaxing, comforting and a good stress reliever. The market size for houjicha was 6 billion yen in 2006 which grew to 34 billion yen by 2017. The houjicha and houjicha desserts at Tsuboichi Seicha Honpo’s café have also been gaining popularity.
The company are now selling houjicha latte packs in-store and online which can be used at home or even in the office. It comes in the form of a powder made from only the best leaves carefully selected by tea experts. You can turn it into an authentic houjicha latte in your home just by adding milk. The product is chemical and additive free. It’s also been made to be enjoyed with soy milk too for those unable to consume dairy.
It can even be enjoyed as ice cream for the summer – arrange with cinnamon, ginger powder and other ingredients to discover new delicious flavours!
■Information
“Houjicha Latte Mix” / “Matcha Latte Mix”
Price: ¥500 (Pre-Tax)
Released: August 1, 2018
Tsuboichi Seicha Honpo Online Shop: http://www.rikyu-club.com/
Tsuboichi Seicha Honpo’s Saryo Cafe (Sakai / Asakusa): http://www.tsuboichi.co.jp/saryo
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VICKS Medicated Drops (Matcha)
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Located in Uji, Kyoto, matcha shop Itohkyuemon was founded in the late Edo period. Three cozy locations have just launched a Hydrangea Parfait, perfect for spring.
Hydrangea Parfait
Hydrangea Coaster
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Itohkyuemon Hydrangea Parfait
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Participating Locations: Uji store, JR Uji Stationfront store, Shijo-dori store
Details: https://www.itohkyuemon.co.jp/site/ajisai/
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Hibiya Hayashiya Shinbei in Tokyo Midtown Hibiya is now offering a scrumptious Strawberry Matcha Parfait until April 24, 2022! If that’s not up your alley, four Kyo Hayashiya locations in Shinjuku, Omiya, Yokohama, and Ikebukuro will begin offering a Matcha and Berry Mascarpone Parfait from April 1 until May 8, 2022.
Strawberry Matcha Parfait
The Strawberry Matcha Parfait is an eye-catching mix of green and pink, reminiscent of cherry blossoms and bright green grass. Green tea blends with rose jelly and lychee sorbet, offering a refreshing taste with a hint of bitterness. The sweet accent of crunchy chocolate feuillantine gives each bite a little kick.Matcha and Berry Mascarpone Parfait
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Strawberry Matcha Parfait
Price: ¥1,650 (Tax Included) / with Tea: ¥2,090 (Tax Included)
Available: March 18 – April 24, 2022
Available at Hibiya Hayashiya Shinbei (Tokyo Midtown Hibiya 2F)
Matcha and Berry Mascarpone Parfait
Price: ¥1,430 (Tax Included) / with Tea: ¥1,870 (Tax Included)
Available: April 1 – May 8, 2022
*Available until April 30 at the SOGO Yokohama location.
Available at the following 4 Kyo Hayashiya locations.
・Takashimaya Times Square (Shinjuku Takashimaya Times Square Main Building 2F)
・Seibu Ikebukuro (Seibu Ikebukuro Main Building 8F)
・SOGO Omiya (SOGO Omiya Main Building 9F)
・SOGO Yokohama (SOGO Yokohama 10F)
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The Uji Matcha Mont Blanc Tart is made with Uji Matcha batter, Uji Matcha whipped cream, white bean paste, and green tea cream. The refined sweetness is complemented by the mellow aroma and slight bitterness of Uji Matcha. How would you like to enjoy these treats beneath the cherry trees?Information
Strawberry Uji Matcha Frappe
Uji Matcha Mont Blanc Tart
Available: April 6 – Mid-May, 2022
Available at Participating McDonald’s Japan Locations with ‘McCafe by Barista’
Official Site: https://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/
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Hojicha meets Caramel Cream Frappuccino / Hojicha meets Caramel Cream Tea Latte
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The Oolong meets Citrus Tea Latte combines TEAVANA Zen Clouds Oolong tea, with its refreshing scent and flavor, with steamed milk. Topped with a freeze-dried blend of Satsuma mandarin and yuzu peels, it tastes just like the winter season. Oolong tea pairs well with slightly tart fruits, with the milk and whipped cream cutting the acidity of the citrus. The Caramel Apple Redbush Tea combines classic South African Redbush tea with apple cinnamon pulp, topped with fresh whipped cream and caramel sauce. These limited-edition drinks will be on the menu until January 18, 2022.Information
Hojicha meets Caramel Cream Frappuccino
Hojicha meets Caramel Cream Tea Latte
Oolong meets Citrus Tea Latte
Available: December 26, 2021 – January 18, 2022
Caramel Apple Redbush Tea Latte
Available: Starting October 6, 2021 ~
Where to Purchase: Participating Starbucks Locations Nationwide
Official Site: https://www.starbucks.co.jp/
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The Yojiya Café, opened by the Yojiya brand famous for its Aburatorigami, or facial oil blotting paper, will be renewing its menu from September 13. The popular face parfait, which features the logo alongside a Kyoto woman with a mole, comes in three flavors available - Kinako, Matcha, and Milk Tea. Each parfait comes with a sauce, so you can adjust the taste as you eat.
Kinako Parfait: ¥1,200 (Tax Incl.)
Matcha Parfait: ¥1,200 (Tax Incl.)
Milk Tea Parfait: ¥1,200 (Tax Incl.)
The Yojiya Café is currently open in two locations, Gion and Sagano Arashiyama, offering a relaxing space to rest between shopping and sightseeing. The café has renewed their iconic Kinako Parfait, which combines Japanese Kinako and Western Maple Syrup, along with the Matcha Parfait, which is packed full of matcha ice cream, jelly, and cookies. The Milk Tea Parfait is made with a rich Japanese Tea and Earl Gray ice cream. Take a trip to Yojiya and find out which parfait is your favorite!Information
Yojiya Café – Parfait Renewal
Release Date: 14 September 2021
Availability:
Yojiya Café Gion
Address: Izawa Building 2F, 266 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Opening Hours:
Weekdays 11:00 ~ 17:00 (LO16:30)
Weekends/Holidays: 10:00 ~ 18:00 (LO17:30)
YOJIYA CAFE Sagano Arashiyama
Opening Hours:
Weekdays 11:00 ~ 17:00 (LO16:30)
Weekends/Holidays: 10:00 ~ 18:00 (LO17:30)
Address: 2 Tateishicho, Sagatenryuji, Ukyo-Ku, Kyoto
Official Site: https://www.yojiya.co.jp/