Although matcha is best known as the powdered tea used in the Japanese tea ceremony, it originated in China during the Tang Dynasty.Matcha is rich in trace elements. In ancient China, it was used as a kind of medicine and favored by Zen Buddhist monks. Since its introduction into Japanese cuisine, matcha has become popular all over the world.This week we hunted down some of Beijing’s best snacks that are made of matcha.Matcha Ice CreamAlthough many fast food restaurants in Beijing are selling green tea, or matcha flavor ice cream, few are terribly satisfying. For a more traditional and thicker tasting matcha ice cream, try the Wuyutai Tea Shop on Qianmen.As one of the oldest tea sellers in the capital, Wuyutai makes tea-flavored ice cream: matcha is its most popular flavor. It’s not too sweet and the tastes a little bitter. Usually there is a line of people waiting for matcha ice cream in front of the shop.

Wuyutai Tea Shop, 42 Qianmen Dajie, Dongcheng District

10 am-10 pm

6 yuanFun MatchaFun matcha is a colorful concoction of simi, herbal jelly, sweet beans and taro with matcha at the bottom. The herbal jelly tastes bitter, but sweet beans and matcha work to mask it.The Simi and tara are chewy and give the cake a juicy interior. A bowl of fun matcha is a great way to cool off in the hot summer!

253 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District

10:30 am-2 pm; 4:30-9:30 pm

19 yuanMatcha LiushabaoMatcha liushabao is a popular Cantonese snack of mayonnaise encased inside a matcha flour shell. The round snack looks cute and has a fragrant matcha smell. The yellow mayonnaise tastes sweet but not greasy. It’s a popular dessert after meals.

Tangchao, 6 Gongti Xi Lu, Chaoyang District

11 am-5 pm

22 yuanMatcha Cake RollDon’t expect the matcha cakes at Guangsheng Cake to last through the afternoon. The store regularly sells out within a few hours of lunch.Guangsheng’s matcha cake roll is made of soft and sweet matcha cake with a layer of cream in between. The cream is light and fresh. The added red and black beans pair well with the sweet and bitter matcha cake. The cakes are pricey but worth it.

SOHO, 8 Dongdaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District

1:30pm-7:30 pm37 yuan