In Japan, green tea is a part of daily life. Tea with something sweet is such a universal experience here that the phrase o-cha-uke (literally "receive tea") actually implies "bringing out the flavor of tea with a confection." The pleasantly sharp flavor of green tea goes well with a sweet or salty snack, and it leaves the mouth feeling refreshed, too.

Place tea leaves in a teapot, pour in enough hot water for one cup, serve, then pour in the same amount of water again and again, for each person to be served. This is the basic pattern followed for serving green tea. Boil water, allow it to cool to about 80 °C, then pour it over the tea leaves. This way, you bring out even more of the fine taste and fragrance. The first cup excels in fragrance, the second cup in taste, the third and subsequent cups in opening up the leaves to enhance the taste. These subtle changes add to the enjoyment of tea. Another option: steep the leaves in water in a large pot or bottle (photo: rear left). Chilled tea made this way will cool and refresh you on hot summer days.

Green tea bags are handy and easy to use, making them an ideal souvenir from Japan.