Matcha is known worldwide as a popular ingredient in sweets. But originally, matcha is green tea leaves pulverized into micron-sized powder and mixed into hot water to make tea. We visit Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, a place where matcha is traditionally cultivated and produced, and learn how matcha is used in the tea ceremony, which is considered to encapsulate the spirit of Japanese culture and hospitality. Finally, we see how its unique bitterness is used to create a variety of novel dishes.

今回のテーマは、「抹茶」。世界でもっとも小さな食材といわれる。香り豊かで、リラックス効果も高い抹茶は、コンビニに代表されるデザートなどにも幅広く使われている。その緑鮮やかな色も人気が高く、海外でも知名度は上昇中。ベルギー人リポーターのサスキアが、京都の宇治を訪ね、茶道ともかかわりの深い歴史や生産方法を学ぶ。