Kamairicha and Taiyaki sweets

【More Tea at Home】

Most of Japanese green tea is made by steaming, but pan-fired green tea known as "Kamairicha" has also long been produced, very small amount though. Unlike umami-rich Sencha, this clear and beautiful golden liquor’s cup has a warm and roasty aroma called “kamaka” or “kamako” (lit: pan aroma), and a refreshing aftertaste. 

Good with a traditional Japanese snack, "taiyaki", seabream-shaped cake with sweeten adzuki beans. Yummy:-) 

Wakocha at Home

【Tea at Home】

Benihikari cultivar’s wakocha (Japanese black) made by Mr Suzuki in Shizuoka. 

A well-balanced cup with a flowery aroma which is reminiscent of daffodil and a refreshing herby flavour. Also good to see the infused tea leaves go back beautifully to the original shape.

Matcha and Matcha

【Tea at Home】

A Kyoto-based tea company, Morihan's tea is used for the sweets. Together with Matcha.
I believe tea helps regulate immune system, and keep me calm.

Sakura in a tea bowl

Our daily living  in the world are not the same as they used to be for now. In order to lower the risk of infection, we are told to avoid crowded places, poor ventilation places and keep social distancing.

Taking a walk under the sun is said to be fine, so I went out to find "a sign of spring". For Japanese, Sakura, which makes us feel calm, happy and gives us power, is very very very special for this time of year.  When we find out when Sakura will be full-bloom, various TV news can take up as their top news every spring.

Still too early for full-fledged sakura season, but I've found a baby sakura. Yes, spring is coming!

Sakura is not only for the eyes, but for the palate. I had a Sakura green tea latte at a Japanese tearoom, Osaka Chakai. Powdered edible salted Sakura leaf is mixed, giving a sign of spring flavor.

Together with a kinako (roasted bean powder) butter toast, which is also good.

I believe that regulating our immune system is also very important to overcome this time. Taking a walk to get fresh air,  taking a good sleep, having a good food and drinking tea (at least for me) should help.

We are very much looking forward to Sakura season while protecting ourselves.

Matcha-To-Be "Tencha"

"Tencha" is tea leaves that has not yet been ground into powder as matcha, and tencha itself is not often seen on the market.

The leaf has be shaded for at least 21 days before being plucked by hand.Then, ground by stone mill into powder, which is then called "matcha". Nowadays, matcha is everywhere, but authentic matcha is not just a powder tea. 

A bowl of brewed Tencha has a green note of cut grass with a nice Umami flavor with a smooth and round texture.

Temomi (Hand-rolled) Sencha

【Hand-rolled Sencha by Mr Sakaguchi in Kumamoto】

The hand-rolled Sencha production method is slightly different from that of Uji, Kyoto. Everything is done by hand in Kumamoto while the leaves are kneaded with a board for the final process in Uji, Kyoto.
The beautiful needle-shaped Sencha is rolled by Mr Sakaguchi, Sakaguchien. It takes 5 hours to make. He is still young, but his craftmanship is amazing!

Hand-Rolled Wakocha at a Department Store in Osaka

A four-day special "wakocha (Japanese black tea)" event at one of the best department stores in Osaka. Three tea growers from Kumamoto prefecture sell their teas by themselves. 

We can experience hand-rolling tea too. 

Sayamakaori cultivar from Kumamoto prefecture

We brought the leaves back home and dry them.

Chatting with the growers, sampling their teas, feeling and smelling the tea leaves.....which can help people know more about the tea. 

I like it!! I think....I did a good job!