Nanaya Shizuoka

In October I had the opportunity to revisit Nanaya/ななや Shizuoka.  When I first visited the shop in 2015, they were one of the first to introduce matcha gelato in grades from lightest to strongest flavor.  Since then, Nanaya has opened new shops across Japan as well as expanded their product line and distribution.  They even offer worldwide shipping!

Since my visit, the shop has moved to Gofukucho-dori, downtown Shizuoka City's main shopping street which also happens to be part of the Old Tokaido Road.  The new location allows more retail space for a wide range of tea products as well as a small casual seating area near the front.

For this visit, I picked up a beautifully packaged seasonal tea and three scoops of delicious gelato: No. 7 matcha (the boldest), hojicha, and sweet potato.

Address:
〒420-0031　静岡県静岡市葵区呉服町2丁目5-12
2 Chome-5-12 Gofukucho, Aoi Ward, Shizuoka, 420-0031, Japan

Hours:
11:00am to 7:00pm
Closed Wednesdays

Momijiyama Garden Teahouse

Recently, I revisited the teahouse inside Momijiyama Garden/紅葉山庭園. The garden is located in the northwest corner of Sumpu Castle Park at the heart of Shizuoka City in Shizuoka Prefecture.

While paying the small admission fee at the garden entrance, you can also purchase a ticket for your choice of tea service in the ryureiseki teahouse. At the time of my visit, the tea options were matcha and two varieties of sencha.  Once inside the garden, a brief scenic walk will bring you to the teahouse.

After presenting your ticket at the teahouse entrance you can choose your seat. All seats provide a splendid view of the garden. 

After being seated, you'll receive a complimentary cup of hojicha followed by your tea set. 

For this visit, I chose the Honyama matcha set with wagashi.  The tea bowl and sweet reflected the autumn season even though the trees and plants outside were still holding onto their summer green.

This particular matcha is the result of historical research and cultivation that began in 1986 to reproduce the matcha that was believed to be favored by Tokugawa Ieyasu after he retired to Sumpu Castle.  For this reason, Honyama matcha is generally only served at tea ceremonies and events relating to the Tokugawa clan.  You can learn more about Honyama matcha by following this link.  

All teas offered by the teahouse are also available for purchase. The hojicha was so delicious that I had to bring a bag home.

The beautiful Momijiyama Garden is a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city and I highly recommend a visit if you're in the area.

Address: 

〒420-0855, 静岡県静岡市葵区駿府公園1-1
1 Sunpujōkōen, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka-ken 420-0855

Hours:
9:00am to 4:30pm
Closed Mondays and December 29th through January 3rd

Tea Review: Matcha White Peach (Yunomi/Kanes)

Matcha White Peach/抹茶 白桃美人
Yunomi/Kanes
Type: Flavored Green
Origin: Japan, Shizuoka and Aichi Prefectures
Product Description:

A sweet matcha flavored with white peach. Add hot milk to transform this into a delicious latte!

Temperature: 160° F

Tea Amount: 10 gram (2 teaspoons)
Water: 6 ounces 

The blend ingredients include matcha, white peach flavor, and sugar.

After whisking, the vivid green infusion is semi-opaque with a sweet aroma of peaches and something that reminds me of lime.  The taste is sweet with the flavor of ripe white peaches and matcha.

If you enjoy white peaches as much as I do, chances are that you'll really like this matcha blend.  Though sugar is one of the ingredients, the taste isn't overwhelmingly sweet and doesn't leave behind an unusual aftertaste.  I was pleased that the matcha flavor did come through and that there was no astringency or bitterness.  This was also very tasty after chilling in the refrigerator if you're looking for a summer treat.  I prepared this using 6 ounces of water heated to 160° F and 10 grams (1-2 teaspoons) of tea as suggested.  I might use 5 grams in future as I tend to prefer a lighter flavor.  This tea does not require a whisk or matcha bowl.  

This tea was purchased by me.

LizzyKate

LizzyKate first opened its doors in downtown Kirkland in July 2016.  The tea room, owned by Will and Amy Riffle, is located on Kirkland Avenue, adjacent to many of the city's festive events and a short walk to the marina and several parks.  At the time of my visit, a classic car show was underway just steps from the entrance.

The tea room interior is modern, bright, and airy with seating at tables and at the tea bar.

LizzyKate offers white, green, oolong, and black teas, matcha, herbals and tisanes, as well as tea flights, a daily iced tea menu, tea lattes, tea mocktails, and kombucha on tap.  Tea baristas are ready to offer customized suggestions to suit your tastes.

Tea can be enjoyed hot or cold, in-house and to-go.  Conveniently packaged loose leaf tea and teaware is also available for purchase.

The tea room hosts tea and food pairings as well as classes. Check out their Calendar to learn about upcoming events!

For this visit, I enjoyed a pot of refreshing Sejak Korean green tea paired with a Fukusa wagashi by Tokara.  The tea was served with a cozy for the removable infuser and a digital tea timer so I could relax and enjoy the ambiance without worrying about over-brewing.  Re-steeps are complimentary.

At the time of this review, tea room hours may differ due to COVID-19.  Follow LizzyKate on Facebook and Instagram for updates and more!

Address:
115 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, WA 98033

Hours:
11:00 am-5:00 pm

Matcha Cafe Maiko Seattle

Matcha Cafe Maiko Seattle is located inside Westlake Center by the entrance to the Seattle Monorail.

I had previously visited the Las Vegas branch of Matcha Cafe Maiko in 2018 and couldn't pass up the opportunity to visit the downtown Seattle branch after it opened in May 2019.

Since this location is a tea stand rather than a full-scale cafe, seating is somewhat limited and located adjacent to the stand.

The menu features matcha and hojicha served hot or cold, as well as in soft serve, floats, and parfaits.

For this visit, I went for a little of both sides of the menu with a Matcha Ice Cream and an Iced Hojicha.

At the time of this review, the tea stand is temporarily closed due to COVID-19 and will re-open as soon as it is safe to do so.  Matcha Cafe Maiko Seattle on Facebook for updates and more!

Address:

400 Pine St # 324, Seattle, WA 98101

Hours:
10:00 am-8:00 pm 

Tea Review: Ceremonial Matcha Stick (Jade Leaf Matcha)

Ceremonial Matcha Stick
Jade Leaf Matcha
Type: Green
Origin: Japan
Product Description:

Just add a stick pack to iced or hot water for tea, to milk for lattes, or to juice or smoothies. Getting your daily matcha fix just got a whole lot easier!

Temperature: 175° F
Tea Amount: 1 packet (~1/2 teaspoon)
Water: 2 ounces (1/4 cup)

The dry powder has a nutty green aroma.

In the warmed bowl, the aroma is nutty and green.

The whisked matcha is boldly green in color, aroma, and taste.

While I might not use this for tea ceremony, it's a solid daily tea and conveniently packaged for use on the go.

This tea was provided as a free sample without guarantee of a review.

Palate A Coffee Bar

Palate a Coffee Bar (and stealthy tea room) is located on the corner of NW Colorado Avenue and NW Bond Street in Bend, Oregon.

In addition to coffee, pastries, and baked goods, Palate's menu includes a nice selection of teas from Pacific Northwest businesses including black teas, herbals and tisanes, flavored teas, chai, iced teas, matcha, matcha lattes, kombucha, and mate.  Loose leaf teas from Metolius Tea and matcha from Mizuba Matcha are also available for purchase to stock up your tea cabinet.

For this visit, I ordered a reliable favorite, Black and Gold from Metolius Tea.  I use Forlife infusers at home for all my mug-brewed teas, so it was a nice surprise to see them in use here.

At the time of this review, the official website appears to be temporarily down, so follow Palate A Coffee Bar on Facebook for their latest news and updates.

Address:
643 NW Colorado Ave, Bend, OR 97701

Hours:
8:00am - 2:00pm

Tea Review: Green Tea Powder (Fujien)

Green Tea Powder
Fujien
Type: Green
Origin: Japan, Shizuoka Prefecture, Fujinomiya
Product Description:  Not provided in English.

Temperature: 175° F

Tea Amount: 1 gram (1 teaspoon)
Water: 2 ounces (1/4 cup)

The aroma of the dry powder is sweet, nutty, and marine green.

The aroma of the powder in a warmed bowl is savory and nutty.  The whisked tea has a nutty and green aroma, reminding me of green beans, with a strong green taste.  

The bold grassiness of this tea is no surprise since you're drinking the leaf of unshaded sencha rather than the shaded tencha used to produce matcha.  The sample I received was an individual serving packet and the amount was just right, resulting in a tea that is bold without being overpowering.  Interestingly, this was the most aromatic after whisking of all the matcha and powdered teas I've tasted.  Usually the froth will soften and even mute the aroma.

This tea was provided as a free sample without guarantee of a review.

Tea Review: Organic Matcha SAE (Sei Mee Tea)

Organic Matcha SAE
Sei Mee Tea
Type: Green
Origin: Japan, Kagoshima Prefecture
Product Description: 

As the name, SAE (sah-eh), suggests, this exceptional matcha is made from Sae-midori (sah-eh-mee-do-ree), a supreme cultivar of green tea. Sae-midori means “vivid green” in Japanese. Most of the matcha in the market is made from Yabukita (yah-boo-key-tah) cultivar, which is very popular and a common variety you find in Japan. When you see and taste this masterpiece of matcha, you will know what real matcha is like. 

What sets this matcha apart from others is also the entire process from soil management to grinding. Each step was perfected by its extraordinary grower, Mr. Sakamoto, in Kagoshima, Japan, who is full of experience, knowledge, and passion to offer the healthiest green tea to the world. 

Mr. Sakamoto takes care of his tea plants all year round and harvests only once. His shading technique creates concentrated Umami in the tea leaf; in return, it adds a lot of stress on the plants. Mr. Sakamoto spends the rest of the year to heal and nourish the plants. 

His remarkable effort starts with creating his own mineral-rich fertilizer. It helps the soil to become an ideal environment to grow healthy, strong and nutrition-packed tea leaf, assisting in the flow of water, microorganisms, and nutrients in his soil. His tea leaf stays “alive” or green long after it is harvested. It’s proof that the leaf is dense with nutrition and antioxidants. 

His tireless devotion doesn’t stop there; he grinds their own leaf slowly with the traditional method. His stone mill matcha makes only 500g a day. (One pound is 453.5g.) We are fortunate to be able to offer you this masterpiece.

Temperature: 175° F

Tea Amount: 1 gram (1 teaspoon)
Water: 2 ounces (1/4 cup)

The aroma of the dry matcha is green and nutty with a hint of marine air.

The unwhisked matcha in the warmed bowl has an aroma that is deeply savory, nutty, and green.

The whisked matcha has a sweet green aroma that reminds me of freshly harvested string beans.  The taste is smooth, savory, and refreshingly green.

I really appreciated how approachable and smooth this matcha was, with no notable astringency and a beautiful froth which added a pleasant creaminess to the taste.  This would be more than suitable for tea ceremony as well as being a delicious daily tea.

This tea was provided as a free sample without guarantee of a review.

Tea Review: Sweet Sakura Matcha (Yunomi/Kanes)

Sweet Sakura Matcha
Yunomi/Kanes
Type: Flavored Green
Origin: Japan, Shizuoka Prefecture
Product Description:

A sweet matcha flavored with the sakura blossoms of the Japanese spring. Add hot milk to transform this into a delicious latte!

Temperature: 160° F

Tea Amount: 10 gram (2 teaspoons)
Water: 6 ounces 

This blend contains sugar, matcha, and powdered sakura leaves.  

After whisking, the bright green infusion has a mellow aroma of tree leaves with just a hint of sakura (cherry blossom).  The taste is lighty sweet with pleasant notes of sakura leaves, very similar to sakura mochi without the red bean filling.  

I make the comparison with sakura mochi, one of my favorite springtime wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) because this tea is as close as I imagine you could get without eating the actual treat.  The light sweetness of the rice and the greenness and cherry blossom essence in the sakura leaf wrap are all there.  Though sugar is included in the blend, there is no sense of cloying sweetness and no astringency.  While I initially whisked this with a chasen in a matcha bowl before pouring into a cup, any container and a simple kitchen whisk will also work well.  The suggested 160° F was perfect and the recommended 5-10 grams (1-2 teaspoons) of tea and 3-6 ounces of water leave a lot of room to experiment to suit your taste.  I was very pleased with the results using 2 teaspoons of tea and 6 ounces of water.

This tea was purchased by me.

Tea Review: Sugimoto Reserve Mizuki Matcha (Sugimoto Tea)

Sugimoto Reserve Mizuki Matcha
Sugimoto Tea
Type: Green
Origin: Japan, Fukuoka Prefecture, Yame
Product Description:  

“Mizuki” means celebration, happiness, fresh, and beautiful. It was chosen to represent a beautiful green tea field and perfectly describes this incredible ceremonial grade matcha from Yame, Fukuoka. Thick and creamy, this matcha is intensely nutty in aroma and flavor, similar to fresh pine nuts. It’s rich in umami and has no astringency. When it’s gone, it leaves a lingering steamed milk finish.

Temperature: 175° F

Tea Amount: ~1 gram (1 teaspoon)
Water: ~2 ounces (1/4 cup)

The matcha powder is vibrant green with a savory aroma that reminds me of macadamia nuts, roasted nori and sesame.

The tea in the warmed bowl has an aroma that is thick with umami and notes of freshly ground nuts.

After whisking, the aroma has notes of roasted nuts and cooked snow peas.  The taste is smooth and savory with no detectable astringency and with a lightly nutty finish.

I first tasted this matcha when it was introduced by Sugimoto Tea at Northwest Tea Festival last year and purchased a canister right away.  The texture is smooth and the flavor and aroma are delightfully thick with umami.  Usually the froth from whisking matcha tends to mute the aroma of the tea, so I was quite surprised that there was a distinct and pleasant aroma after whisking Mizuki Matcha.

This tea was purchased by me.

Stash Tea Shop

Stash Tea Shop is located at Stash Tea Company corporate headquarters in Tigard, Oregon on SW 72nd Avenue, just a short drive from Interstate 5.  The retail store has been open to the public for over 12 years and yet it remains something of an open secret among tea enthusiasts as it gets little press and rarely turns up in web searches for tea shops in the region.

While the tea shop signage may be subtle, the brightly colored Stash Tea truck parked near the entrance of the lot will almost guarantee you won't miss your turn.

Step inside to a warm and inviting space, well-lit and open with good flow.  To the right inside the door is a tea sample station where you'll have the opportunity to taste a couple varieties of loose leaf tea during your visit. 

Seating is available at window-side tables at the front of the shop and at the tea bar tucked away in the back.

On display is a wide range of loose leaf teas, matcha, and teaware available for purchase.  The ubiquitous Stash boxed tea line as well as a variety of locally sourced snacks are located near the tea bar.

Customer service and the cashier are located at the round counter in the center of the tea shop.  Staff are available to answer questions and make suggestions and touchscreen menus will help you select teas and tisanes prepared hot or cold, to enjoy in-house or to-go.  The menu also includes tea lattes, shaken iced teas, nitro teas, seasonal specials, and tea flights.   

For my first visit, I decided to go all out and requested a Tea Flight.  I was provided with an erasable Tea Flight card to list my four tea selections from the options on the menu.  When everything had been prepared, the flight was presented on a serving board with the tea bowls numbered to correspond with my card.  

My tea flight included:

1) Fern Trail Oolong - smooth, buttery, and floral
2) Scholar's Pavilion (green tea) - nutty, mellow, smooth, and buttery
3) Gold Silk (black tea) - notes of caramel, smoke, and plums
4) Creme Brulee (flavored black tea) - just like its name suggests

The person who prepared my teas was knowledgeable and kindly recommended that I begin with the green tea (#2) so the more nuanced flavor wouldn't get lost after sipping a bolder tea.  All were well-brewed and delicious!

Address:
16655 SW 72nd Ave #200, Tigard, OR 97224

Hours:
10:00am to 6:00pm