Vending machine green tea could never compare to the quality of matcha at Japanese tea ceremonies, that is until “matcha love” stepped in!
Just about every vending machine in Japan offers some kind of green tea drink in a bottle. Typically priced between 100–150 yen, I was surprised to see this new “matcha love” drink going for over 200 yen! However, after trying this premium quality matcha drink, it was easy to see how it separates itself from standard teas like Oi Ocha or Asahi’s green tea range.
Follow simple instructions
Firstly, matcha love came with its own set of instructions which already added an element of novelty and excitement.
Instead of a typical bottle of green tea made with preservatives, matcha love allows you to enjoy fresh green tea by separating the water and matcha powder until the time of consumption.
By twisting the lid, the stored matcha powder drops into the water, at which point you can reseal the lid tightly and give it a good shake!
Watch the magic happen!
Watching the matcha powder drop down into the clear water is a spectacle in and of itself, like creating your own tea ceremony!
Of course, you’ll need to give it a good shake as the matcha powder will make its way to the bottom of the bottle, so keep that lid sealed on tight!
Soon, the clear pure water will transform into a consistent green liquid ready for consumption.
Enjoy soothing matcha by the Kamo River!
From the first sip, I immediately felt the difference. This was indeed the type of quality of matcha you could expect from a tea ceremony or cafe.
Instead of a taste akin to lightly flavored water as the typical green tea vending machine drink offers, this was a strong hit of matcha where the richness of the ingredients is still potent.
I found this item at the vending machine near the Kamo River just outside Gion-Shijo station. Sipping on this matcha love by one of Kyoto’s most iconic rivers will always be a cherished memory!
To learn more about life in Japan, check out my book: The Japanese Pursuit of Perfection. This book features my most profound observations of Japanese culture and society as a foreign resident. Available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover. Grab your copy today!