This powdered green tea from Japan is carefully grown, shaded in the final weeks before harvest, steamed and dried, before being ground between special granite stones to a fine powder. It is prepared by whipping the powder after water is added. Primarily used in the Japanese Tea Ceremony to honor special guests, here in the U.S. it is touted as a healthful everyday drink because it comprises a whole food with fiber from the leaf as well as the catechines and antioxidants so numerous in green teas. It whips into a frothy, bright green, thickish tea with a fresh, sweet after taste.