Small plate with sample of Ippodo Obukucha tea with roasted rice beside teacup of brewed tea and brown clay Yakishimi kyusu

Featuring Obukucha, Our New Year’s Genmaicha

There is a long tradition of drinking Obukucha in January in Japan to bring good fortune in the coming year.

Iribancha, Kyoto's Daily Tea

Iribancha, Kyoto's Daily Tea

Iribancha is surprising for many trying it for the first time, given its strong, smoky fragrance.

One prepared teacup of tea and one loose sample of powder for each of Ippodo's three premium matchas: Kanza, Kuon and Ummon

What is the difference between our matcha blends? (Part II)

This is part two of a two-part series comparing our grades of matcha, where we explore the differences among the highest class matchas in our lineup.

What is the difference between our matcha blends? (Part I)

What is the difference between our matcha blends? (Part I)

This is part one of a two-part series comparing our grades of matcha, where we introduced the general differences from high to low.
Picture of leaves of green tea plant sprouting upwards towards the sun in front of blurred ombre green background

Get Ready: Shincha 2024

Crafted from tea leaves that were growing in a field only a few days prior, Ippodo’s Shincha is delivered right after harvest. There is only once chance per year to experience its fresh, fleeting character.
Green tea being poured into glass from white porcelain Hakuji Kyusu teapot beside plates of chocolate cupcakes whipped cream

Tea & Chocolate

At Ippodo we often suggest chocolates to pair with teas like matcha, sencha, gyokuro, and bancha. And, occasionally we will feature a tea with a chocolate dessert in a special menu in our tearooms.

Verdant green smooth and thick koicha Ippodo matcha in tilted black artisan-crafted ceramic tea bowl and coating the sides

Koicha, for a Next-Level Matcha Experience

Koicha ("thick tea") is a style of preparing matcha with a thick density. True to its name, a properly-made koicha has a consistency somewhere in-between maple syrup and warm honey.

Small porcelain teacup containing fresh green tea beside asymmetrical stone vase with blooming branch of cherry blossom tree

Enjoying Tea Under Cherry Tree Blossoms

With the springtime comes the beloved blossoming of cherry tree flowers in Japan. In Kyoto, where Ippodo Tea was founded, after the bonds of winter loosen, these flowers transform the city into a pink wonderland.

Pouring Ippodo green tea from above frmo ivory clay banko-yaki kyusu teapot into glass carafe with lid removed for storing

How to Make Japanese Tea to Share

Learn how to quickly brew sencha, gyokuro, genmaicha, or hojicha for a group of people. The 3 minute recipe, tips, and favorite teas from Ippodo.

80-tip chasen bamboo whisk sitting upright on end on white table beside beige ceramic tea mug of pastel green matcha latte

All About the Chasen - Matcha’s Most Important Tool

The chasen, a special whisk made from bamboo, is perhaps the most recognizable matcha utensil.
Green tea being poured from elegant spout of ivory teapot into small rounded modern glass pitcher with white Ippodo Tea logo

Guide to Japan-Style Iced Tea

On hot days when a hot cup of tea seems unbearable, we turn to our favorite iced tea recipes. There are different ways to make cold, refreshing Japanese tea, and we recommend different recipes for different tastes.
Vivid green matcha latte with dollop of foamed milk on top of pure matcha tea base in white espresso cup with matching saucer

How to Make a Matcha Latte

A matcha latte combines the crisp, green bite of matcha powder with the creaminess of milk. From the variety of matcha to the type of milk and ratios in your recipe, a few factors determine the character of a matcha latte.
Pouring old fashioned cocktail with orange peel garnished through stainless steel strainer into rocks glass with ice on bar

Tea: Your New Favorite Cocktail Ingredient

If you have leftover hot or iced tea, you’re just one ingredient away from making a potent simple syrup that will easily swap into recipes and keep for weeks in the refrigerator.
Pouring light green tea from white porcelain Hasami-yaki kyusu teapot with blue logo into white porcelain Japanese teacup

Get to Know Gyokuro

If you’re looking for something luxurious to mark a special occasion (or just treating yourself for kicks), gyokuro is what you’re looking for. 

Pouring roasted Hojicha tea from Ivory Kyusu into white Hasami-yaki porcelain teacups on wood cross-section Marubon tray

Hojicha: The Perfect Tea for Coffee Lovers

Not all green tea is green. In fact, one of the most popular everyday green teas in Japan brews as dark and toasty as coffee.

Portrait of Vice-President Miyako Watanabe of Ippodo against bright blue background with blurred photograph

Meet Miyako Watanabe of Ippodo

When your company is 300 years old, keeping historic traditions alive is a critical part of the job. The Watanabe family is that keeper at Ippodo, and as the company’s Vice President, Mrs. Watanabe is Ippodo’s public face.
Serving green tea from clay kyusu teapot into two porcelain Japanese teacups set on red brown Ippodo Tea wooden marubon tray

How to Pick the Perfect Kyusu Teapot

With centuries of artistic tradition behind them, Japanese tea-making tools are just the thing to turn your at-home tea cupboard or office nook into a calming, beautiful tea room.

Pouring tea from Yakishime clay kyusu into porcelain teacup beside blue and white package of sencha and plate of tea leaves

How Well Do You Know Your Sencha?

80 percent of tea in Japan is made into this loose leaf style, which provides a perfect balance of sweetness, umami, and refreshing astringency. See why we at Ippodo love this classic tea!