Wagashi Day -June16-

June 16th is “the Day of wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) ” in Japan. I’m not sure how many people know that even among Japanese, but anyway it seems to be a special day for wagashi.

Why June 16th?

 

Around the mid of 9th century, an epidemic broke out throughout the country. In order to overcome this situation, the emperor then changed the era name and offered 16 sweets and rice cakes before the altar on the June 16th of the first year of new era, praying for people’s health and happiness. Because of that, Japan Wagashi Association designated this day as wagashi day in 1979 to pass down our traditional sweets.

photo by T

 

This year, June 16 is also Father’s day in Japan. Thank you, Dad and thank you, wagashi :-)

 

 

 

 

Kamairicha -Pan Fired Tea-

You know how to process sencha (green tea), don’t you?

Soon after the leaves are picked, they are first heated to deactivate its oxidizing enzyme of the leaves. Then, the leaves are rolled, shaped and dried.

 

How are they heated, then?

In Japan, steaming is a common method, but there is also another way, which is “pan-fired” (*accounts for only about 10% of sencha production) . Unlike steamed one, pan-fired tea called “kamairicha” has a distinctive aroma known as “kamaka (pan-fired aroma)”, which is great.

 

Actually, steamed type is more popular in the market, but recently, “kamairicha” has been paid much more attention especially to tea geeks. Rather than mass production, now is the time for something special and something unique. If you have a chance to try kamairicha, don’t miss it. You’ll love it.

 

Kamairicha

 

 

Karinto and Wakocha

There are various kinds of traditional Japanese snacks. Karinto is one of them, made of flour, yeast and brown sugar. Traditional flavor is usually covered with brown sugar and looks deep brown, which goes well with Sencha and Hojicha.

However, more flavored karinto have been on market. The new flavors include miso, sesame, honey, chocolate, cappuccino, wine chocolate and maple….Of course; matcha and matcha-chocolate are also available.

traditional Karinto

I guarantee the new flavored karinto are good with black tea. I love any kinds of black teas, but with those, I believe that Japanese black tea known as wakocha is the best company!