"Mechanical" Tea Ceremony

I posted about an appliance named “Ocha (tea)-Presso” (by SHARP CORPORATION). The idea of the machine comes from Japanese tea ceremony. It can grind tea leaves into powder and whisk them, making smooth tea, tea latte and so on. Actually, it seems to be doing well so far, and they just released two new models. 

The company has also announced they are planning to put on the market in the US and Canada around this summer. The name is supposed to be “Tea-Cere”, which is named after “tea ceremony”.

At this point, I don’t have it, and I am not planning to buy it. So I cannot tell you how good or bad it is. Sorry!

New model "Tea-Cere" (by Shrap Corporation)

* My earlier post on the machine

http://japaneseteastory.blogspot.jp/2014/03/espresso-no-tea-presso.html

Tea with a Sakura Bouquet - Shizu7132 -

Sakura (cherry blossoms) is very very special to Japanese. We feel so happy and excited when the season is approaching.

Did you know there is a tea which is perfect for this season? It’s a tea with “sakura-ish” aroma. Not like the ones that some artificial flavoring is provided, or some dried sakura leaves are mixed. It is the one which has natural sakura-ish bouquet. 

What creates such a lovely smell? It is thanks to a tea variety, named “Shizu7132”. When sencha is produced by this variety, a hint of sakura scent comes out. Isn't that interesting? Since "Shizu7132" is the name of the variety, you may find as “Machiko”, “Sakura-kahori” or so on the market.

Sakura pleases to the eye, to the palate and “the nose” too.

Bottled Japanese Oolong

Again, another bottled tea has released recently. It happens a lot. But this time, I was a bit surprised because this is “bottled Japanese Oolong”. (by Coca-Cola Japan company, limited). 

According to the company, 100% tea grown in Japan is used, and all the process to produce this tea are done in Japan. I’m sure a lot of Japanese don’t know yet that we produce Oolong in Japan, but it can be a great chance to let them know that Japan produce not only green tea. 

This is a bottled one, but it would be great if more people will have an interest in tea born in Japan from this, and eventually enjoy tea made from the leaves. 

Bottled Japanese Oolong named "Tsumugi"

Get-Together for Scone and Tea, and a little bit of English

It was more than 20 years ago when I visited London for the first time. I remember what a tearoom owner - where I happened to stop by and enjoy scone and tea -  said then. He said jokingly with a big smile, “Why do all Japanese order scones?? Yes, 100%!! You must love scones.” Yes, we did and we still do, ha, ha.

I hosted a cozy get-together for “Enjoy cream tea (a set of scone and tea) and English language”. About 10 people came to join it and enjoyed “cream tea”. The place where the event was held is not that big. So 10 was quite big enough for that place. See, we still love scones!

We chatted about England, and I introduced how to enjoy scones in English. And Here comes a scone! Everyone looked so happy to enjoy it. 

 

Later on, I also served a Wakocha made in Tsushima island in Nagasaki prefecture. Since not many Japanese don’t know we produce black tea, I took advantage of this event to introduce Wakocha. They  tends to be very gentle in general, but this one can be quite strong and goes with milk.

Tsushima Kocha (Wakocha made in Tsushima island)

Anyway…..they enjoyed meeting people and sharing the time together, and knowing a little bit of English language. Of course I enjoyed myself too. Tea is for pleasure and sharing, isn't it?

And I have to tell you this....When I teach English, I always pay much much more attention to "proper English" than this blog.....So please overlook my English here, ha, ha.

Four years.....

Another 311 has come. It was chilly today in my area. But it was much much chillier in Tohoku area hit by the disaster on March 11, 2011.

As of March 10, 2015, it announced that around 229,000 people still have to live in evacuation shelters, and 2,584 people are still missing. 

Around this time of the next year, how will Japan be? I would like to see it better.... and I should do what I can do for that.....

Happy Girl's Festival with tea!

March 3rd is observed as a Girl's Festival. It is also called as “Hinamatsuri (Doll’s Festival)” and  “Momo no Sekku (Peach Festival)” . 

We customarily display hina dolls, drink shirozake (sweet white drink made from rice), and eat hinaarare (sweet rice crackers) to pray for the happiness and healthy growth of family girls. 

I am not a girl anymore, but I toast both former and the present girls with a cup of tea. Happy Girls Festival!

Cinnamon Apple Tea plus Custard Flavor make.....!?

A  snack food "Pocky ("Mikado" in some countries) " (by Ezaki Glico) is one of the most popular snacks in Japan. A bottled black tea named "Afternoon tea"( by Kirin Company Limited) is the most popular RTD. 

Last month, their collaborative project has released. The Ezaki Gliko put "Custard flavor 'Pocky'" on the market , while Kirin Co.,LTd did "slightly cinnamon flavored apple 'Afternoon Tea'". According to those companies, when you eat together, which mean eat the Pocky and drink the tea, you will feel the taste of Apple Pie in your mouth. Moreover, the packages are so cute! When those two are lined side by side, you can see the picture that "a prince takes a princess hand".

I haven’t tried this harmony yet, so I am not sure how much I can get the taste of “apple pie”, but I am sure  that’s an appealing idea to many customers.