Global demand for matcha has doubled Japan's green tea exports to 72.1 billion yen in 2025 and driven domestic leaf prices sharply higher. What is happening to growers, confectioners and everyday tea drinkers, and how the 2026 crop opened.
A midnight dish thrown together when the fridge is empty, Peperoncino is a humble Neapolitan classic Italians know as "poor man's pasta" or a midnight spaghettata. So how did Japan turn it into a restaurant favorite and a test of a cook's skill? A look at its deceptive simplicity, Japan's inventive variations, and the local obsession with emulsification.
Japanese mayonnaise celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2025. From being mistaken for hair pomade to becoming a beloved condiment in 79 countries, discover the fascinating history of Kewpie mayonnaise and why it's taking the world by storm.