There are two
kinds of Japanese teas which mean very similar, but different. One is
“kona-cha”, the other one is “funmatsu-cha”. Name-wise, both of
kona and funmatsu mean powder in Japanese. Therefore, people get confused.
“Kona-cha” is dust
tea. It is a by-product and the leaves are very very tiny, but cannot
be dissolved completely into hot water. So kyusu teapot is required to make
"kona-cha".
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| kona-cha by Wikipedia |
“Funmatsu-cha” is
powdered tea. Unlike matcha that shade-grown tea is ground by a stone mill,
funmatsu-cha is usually powdered sencha, which is grown in the sun. Funmatsu-cha
is dissolved into hot water like instant coffee. Sushi-go-round restaurants in
Japan usually have this tea, so you may have had this tea if you've visited
Japan.
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| funmatsu-cha |
I heard
funmatsu-cha has sold well recently. Maybe, it is because that some media
have been talking that the powdered tea is good for you since you can consume
all the nutrients in tea. Also they say that you don’t have to clean up a teapot
afterwards. That sounds attractive for some consumers.
"Funmatsu-cha"
is powdered tea, while "kona-cha" is dust tea-----
Even Japanese people
get confused which is which, and some even don't know they are different. Also
both “funmatsu-cha” and “kona-cha” are often translated as powdered tea in
English. People recognize the teas, but unfortunately can't remember their names.
