Suikou Kanten
A Taste of Early Summer
As the spring breeze gives way to early summer, freshly harvested green tea—shincha—begins to appear.
This seasonal delicacy captures the vibrant aroma of the first tea leaves in a clear, refreshing jelly: Suikou Kanten.
Cool and smooth in texture, this wagashi (Japanese confection) delicately spreads the fragrance of fresh tea across your palate.
It’s like tasting the morning dew of early summer.
Ingredients (Yields 4–5 small portions)
Water A (for steeping tea) … 300g
Shincha (fresh green tea) … 10g
Water B (for kanten mixture) … 250g
Powdered kanten (agar-agar) … 4g
Granulated sugar … 25g
🌿 Use high-quality, freshly harvested shincha for best aroma and color.
Instructions
1️⃣ Brew the Green Tea
Bring Water A (300g) to a boil in a saucepan, then turn off the heat.
Add 10g of shincha and cover with a lid. Let it steep for 30 seconds.
Strain the tea and reserve the liquid. Set aside 1 tsp of the used tea leaves for garnish.
2️⃣ Make the Kanten Base
In a separate saucepan, add Water B (250g) and 4g of powdered kanten. Heat gently while stirring.
Once the kanten is completely dissolved, add 25g of sugar and stir until fully melted.
🌸 Ensure the mixture comes to a boil so that the agar activates properly.
3️⃣ Combine and Chill
Mix the brewed green tea from step 1 with the kanten mixture.
Add the reserved tea leaves and stir gently.
Pour into molds and let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until firm.
Suikou Kanten is a refreshing, gently sweet dessert that celebrates the aroma of freshly picked tea.
It’s easy to prepare, yet delivers a serene, sensory experience perfect for a peaceful afternoon or seasonal gathering.
Enjoy this celebration of early summer, one spoonful at a time.