Matcha madness!

Our gastronomical experience in Japan has been one big dopamine rush. Everything from eating the most delicious sushi creatively wrapped in world class nori by the Anthony Bourdain recommended chef, Yasuda, to experiencing a flavorful shabu shabu to a sweet savory sukiyaki to the 11-course meal at our ryokan experience. The list goes on and on.

Chef Yasuda in the background. I still can't believe we were able to land a reservation in his 8 seater sushi bar!

However, one of our favorite discoveries in Japan has been matcha: fine powdered premium green tea. It has a very uniquely rich taste that dwells long after each sip and most tea ceremonies in Japan revolve around this awesomeness.

It's loaded with antioxidants and we learned from the head priest at Shunkoin temple in Kyoto that one cup has the equivalent amount of caffeine of 2 expresso shots. I wish they served it before and not after the meditation sessions where I nodded off "zenned out", Yemi remarked. Jan likes it more sweetened, or as she would describe it, "American style."

Like that's not great enough, it is also used to make other confections - cakes, ice cream, lattes, etc. Leave it up to the Japanese to one up this already brilliant product. The green color always caught Yemi's attention. We tried and loved it all!