From Jiro Dreams of Sushi · 2011 · Pairing

Hot Green Tea (Agari)

Name: Hot Green Tea (Agari)
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons coarse genmaicha or bancha tea leaves; 2 cups water, just off the boil

What to drink

No cup is ever shown on camera in this film, but a strong, hot green tea — agari, in sushi-counter language — is the standard palate-cleanser at an Edomae counter like Jiro's, poured between pieces to reset the tongue for what's next. A suggested pairing, not something the documentary itself depicts.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons coarse genmaicha or bancha tea leaves
2 cups water, just off the boil

Method

Bring water to a boil, then let it cool for a minute or two — genmaicha and bancha are more forgiving of hotter water than delicate green teas.
Add the tea leaves to a teapot and pour the water over.
Steep 60–90 seconds, then strain into small cups.
Serve hot, between courses, to clear the palate before the next piece.