サカキシンイチロウ
I had post-meal tea at a shop called "saten japanese tea". The concept is to offer Japanese tea, such as matcha, in a new style. The shop is so pleasant that it makes you feel uncomfortable at first. With a layout resembling a traditional house, the glass sliding doors that serve as walls, entrances, and windows are fully open, blurring the boundaries between inside and outside. The area in front of the tea-making counter has a feel of a traditional earthen floor, and the inside of the shop feels like a veranda. On this pleasantly overcast day, the gently dry air flow soothes the mind. I ordered a cold matcha latte. The matcha powder is whisked with hot water in a bowl placed on an electronic scale. Milk is poured into a glass with ice. The matcha is then added to complete the drink. The whole process unfolds casually and naturally, without any sense of urgency, which is quite pleasant. As I sip the drink slowly, I am captivated by the vivid green aroma when pouring the matcha into the glass. I first taste the milk through the straw. It's sweet, rich, and smooth. Then, I taste the matcha, which is bitter, astringent, and fragrant. As the bitterness subsides, a mellow umami flavor emerges from the tongue. Letting it rest for a while, the matcha and milk begin to blend on their own. And it's amazing. Despite not adding sugar or syrup, I can taste sweetness. The combination of milk's creaminess with matcha's bitterness and umami creates a perceived sweetness. As the ratio of matcha increases, the sweetness gives way to bitterness, and the lingering umami intensifies. It's fascinating... with each sip, there's a new taste discovery. I thoroughly enjoyed taking my time with it. What a delightful shop. It's so nice that it almost makes me want to take the train just to come here... I overheard the staff mentioning that the hojicha tonic tastes like craft cola. I must try that next time, I thought as I left the shop.