Tea Ring

Hiroshima's Matcha Miracle

The ultimate collaboration between Cha no Tamaki and Japan's top tea connoisseur

When it comes to matcha desserts, most people think of Kyoto. But in SolyJapan's selection map of Japanese products, Cha-no-wa in Hiroshima is an unmissable presence. This is a brand founded by a long-established tea shop in Hiroshima with 60 years of history, dedicated to "creating desserts where you can directly feel the original flavor of matcha." The mastermind behind it is Master Haruhide Morita, the only person in Japanese history to achieve the highest rank of 10th Dan in the "National Tea Appraisal Technique Competition"—a "Master Tea Appraiser."

The most distinctive feature of Chanobu is its "no expense spared." While typical matcha desserts often lose their aroma due to the high temperatures of baking, leading to the addition of flavorings or colorings, Chanobu insists on using top-grade Uji matcha , "Kintengaku," which costs over 50,000 yen per kilogram. This matcha, with its vibrant green color, intense umami flavor, and extremely low bitterness, is usually reserved for the "strong tea" used in tea ceremonies, yet they luxuriously use it to make cakes.

Why is this "Full Moon" cake considered the pinnacle of matcha cakes?

1. The "Happy Matcha Butter Cake," a signature product of the "Kintengaku" brand, defies industry norms in its use of high -concentration matcha. Its appearance is golden and round like a full moon, but when cut open, it reveals a stunning deep emerald green color. This is not artificial coloring, but the natural color of the highly concentrated "Kintengaku" matcha. Upon tasting, you won't immediately perceive sweetness, but rather be struck by a strong, fresh matcha aroma (Umami), followed by the warm, creamy flavor of butter.

2. Insisting on a Pure "No Additives" Texture: To avoid interfering with the flavor of top-quality matcha, this cake insists on not using any synthetic colorings, flavorings, or preservatives. The artisan uses the "Shittori method" to whip the egg whites and then bakes them slowly in a low-temperature oven, creating a unique "moist" and "dense" texture that is neither as fluffy as a sponge cake nor as dry as a pound cake, as if eating solid, strong tea.

[Shopping Expert] How to savor this luxury?

Recommended serving method: Slice the cake after it has slightly warmed up. Due to its extremely high butter content, the texture will be quite dense when refrigerated. We recommend warming it to room temperature for about 30 minutes, or microwaving it for 10 seconds to slightly melt the butter, which will instantly release the aroma of matcha. For slicing, we recommend using the "Sogi-giri" method. Thin slices allow the cake to melt more quickly on the tongue, allowing you to experience the ultimate aftertaste of matcha and butter intertwining.

A Variation on Hiroshima's Famous Specialty: Matcha Momiji Manju (Morning Leaf Bun). Besides butter cake, Cha no Tamaki has also innovated on Hiroshima's most representative "Momiji Manju." The filling is filled with rich matcha custard, while the outer layer is baked to a crisp. This is a souvenir that perfectly combines Hiroshima's local culture with the tea spirit of Kyoto's Uji, making it a perfect surprise gift for matcha lovers.

Genuine goods from Japan, shipped directly to the world

To ensure that the precious aroma of matcha is not oxidized, SolyJapan sources its tea sets directly from Japan, ensuring the freshest dates. They offer direct shipping from Japan to Hong Kong, the UK, and worldwide , allowing you to enjoy this ultimate matcha dessert, recognized even by Japanese tea masters, at home without having to travel to Hiroshima.