Category Archives: Green Tea

Portraits de Shizuoka #1: Marufuku Seicha /Shizuoka Portraits #1: Marufuku Seicha

Do not forget to activate the subtitles in French/English !

Greetings, everyone!

Here is the first video of our series called “Shizuoka Portraits” conceived with a will to introduce the faces of all those who work hard to make what our Prefecture is

. We endeavored to concentrate our attention more on the “people” than on their art without forgetting to extoll on the latter.

This work being totally amateur and without any financial gains, we hope you will be kind enough to forgive the eventual beginners’ mistakes we are well aware we made in this first edition (sound, background and transitions in particular) which will be corrected in the next episode. This particular video is divided into two distinct parts. The first part is a general enough introduction with a tour of Marufuku Tea factory, and the second one involves more personal points (the conditions, difficulties and personal life of an enterprise lady boss). Do not hesitate to address each part in your preferred order according to your interests.

It is of utmost importance to respect the private life and work of the people we introduce, many of whom are friends/personal acquaintances. If you wish to contact them we would be most grateful that you proceed through us first. We specialize in Shizuoka where we have lived tens of years. The local gastronomy is one of our main focuses.

We invite you to peruse the following sites to follow our reports: https://shizuokagourmet.com/ (French/English) https://saveursdujapon.me/ (French) https://www.facebook.com/Japanecdote/

We kindly remind you that this video is our sole property. We sincerely hope that it will help and please you and we are ready to welcome your comments and reply to them. We believe that because of the Covid 19 it is important to focus on our particular region which has welcomed us along the years but we do not pretend to know all its riches yet and hope you will discover and enjoy them together with us… in front of your screen or one day on site! Our most sincere thanks to you and them all!

Bonjour à tous !

Voici la première partie de notre vidéo de notre série “Portraits de Shizuoka” qui a la volonté de montrer le visage de ceux qui travaillent à rendre notre département ce qu’il est. Nous nous efforçons de nous focaliser plus sur les “gens” que sur leur art sans pour autant oublier d’en parler.

Ces vidéos sont le fruit de résidents à Shizuoka uniquement, depuis plusieurs dizaines d’années pour certains. Pour vous donner une image de notre travail… imaginez par exemples des japonais en Bourgogne et présentant les bourguignons ! C’est une démarche qui sort un peu de l’ordinaire mais nous croyons en son intérêt.

Il existe à notre connaissance peu de fournisseurs de vidéos en français sur le Japon se focalisant essentiellement sur un département, à l’heure où le Japon est de mieux en mieux connu, nous voulons parler du local, pour eux, mais aussi pour vous, pour essayer de vous dresser au fil des vidéos une idée de ce qu’est une région japonaise ainsi que ses particularités. Nous n’avons pas la prétention de couvrir le territoire japonais en entier et cela n’est pas notre but. Nous croyons qu’avec le virus, il est important de se focaliser sur la région qui nous héberge et n’avons pas la prétention d’en connaître encore toutes les richesses et espérons que vous pourrez en profiter avec nous…derrière votre écran ou un jour sur place !

Le travail étant totalement amateur, et sans contrepartie financière, j’espère que vous nous pardonnerez les erreurs de débutants dans ce premier montage dont nous avons conscience (son, décor et transitions précisément) qui seront réglées dans le prochain épisode. En ce qui concerne cette vidéo, elle est découpée en deux parties : La première est une introduction assez générale avec la présentation de l’usine à thé de Marufuku, et la deuxième aborde des points plus personnels (condition d’une femme cheffe d’entreprise, difficultés et vie personnelle), n’hésitez pas à vous reporter directement à celle-ci selon le sujet qui vous intéresse. Il est important de respecte la vie privée et le travail des gens à qui nous faisons appel, qui sont pour beaucoup des amis/connaissances. Si vous désirez rentrer en contact avec eux merci de passer par nous. Nous sommes spécialisés sur Shizuoka, et y vivons pour certains depuis plusieurs dizaines d’années.

La gastronomie locale est un de nos axes principaux, merci de vous reporter aux pages suivantes pour suivre nos articles : https://shizuokagourmet.com/ (Français/Anglais) https://saveursdujapon.me/ (Français) https://www.facebook.com/Japanecdote/ Inutile de préciser que la vidéo est la propriété de notre chaîne 🙂 Nous espérons que cela vous plaira et attendons tous vos commentaires et à y répondre. Merci à vous, merci à eux.

Organic Green Tea Cafe: TEA TIME MARUHA by Yoshihara Matsushita in Kakegawa City!

Service: Smiling, kind ans very attentive
Equipment and facilities: Overall spotless clean. Completely non-smoking
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Organic Green tea and gelato/ice cream!

Yoshiharu Matsushita/松下芳春さん (on the right) has been growing tea in organic fashion as long as he can remember and actively continues not only growing it but conducting continuous research to ever improve quality.
Some ten years he decided to reach more people and customers by opening a very original Cafe called Maruha near his faraway tea fields in Kakegawa City!

The concept has a multiple purpose. Not only it introduces customers to top class organic green tea, but it also offers a space to enjoy it at leisure in the middle of rural Japan!

It also sells utensils, souvenirs and history!

A very spacious cafe with direct view on Japanese nature!

The menu is short but solid: Maruha New Green Tea set with green tea biscuits and green tea gelato, Cold macha Shiruko Japanese dessert, Maruha Zensai Japanese dessert and two types of green tea gelato! And also 4 different tea milk shakes!

The gelato/ice cram on offer!

I ordered the new green tea set with green tea biscuits and matcha gelato!

Delicious matcha gelato!

And superb top class new green tea!

Definitely worth the drive!

TEA TIME MARUHA

436-0011 Shizuoka Prefecture, Kakegawa City, Tamari, 592
Tel.: 0537-22-6528
Opening hours: 10:00~17:00
Closed on Wednesdays
GOOGLE MAP

YOSHIHARU MATSUSHITA/松下芳春
Matsushita Tea Garden (JONA Certificated)
436-0011 Shizuoka Prefecture, Kakegawa City, Tamari, 181
Tel.: 0537-22-6528
Fax: 0537-23-4331
Tea Fields direct phone number: 080-3468-7750
WEBSITE
E-MAIL: suppin@gmail.com

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So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
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, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Green Tea and Wagashi Cakes at Momijiyama Japanese Garden in Sumpu Park in Shizuoka City!

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Service: Very friendly and attentive
Equipment & Facilities: Impeccable cleanliness. Washroom outside the Garden inside Sumpu Park (equipped for physically-impaired visitors)
Prices: very reasonable
Strong points: top-class local tea. Beautiful wagashi. Splendid Japanese park.English pamphlet available. English-speaking staff.
Entirely non-smoking

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If you visit Sumpu Park in the center of Shizuoka City you ought to visit one place secluded inside for a true Japanese experience: Momijiyama Japanese Garden and its tearoom!

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If you come to the right time of the year you will be welcomed by flowering cherry trees!

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Once past the entrance where you can book tea and wagashi cake at the tea room walk along the wooden platform to reach the inner Japanese garden.

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The general view of the park, an ever-changing landscapes according to the seasons!

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Beautiful pond with Japanese carps!

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Take your time and walk around!

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Plenty of flowering trees along the seasons!

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This part of the garden was design to represent Mount Fuji looming over green tea fields!

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The tea room!

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Water well!

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A look at the “engawa/surrounding hall” on the right of the tea room!

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Inside view!
You are invited inside as soon as a seat is available and upon producing your ticket you will be served either sencha tea or macha tea with a wagashi Japanese cake.

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You can put your bag under the table!

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I personally asked macha tea!

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My Wagashi Japanese cake represented a rape flower and plant!

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Good news for vegans and vegetarians!

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The macha was served in beautiful bowls!
Mine was decorated with wisteria!

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Some of my friends had ordered sencha sets!

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With a different type of wagashi Japanese cake!

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We were all served houji cha before leaving!

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A peaceful corner!

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Check the tea selection on sale!

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Take your time to enjoy the park before leaving!

MOMIJIYAMA JAPANESE GARDEN IN SUMPU PARK, SHIZUOKA CITY

Access (inside Sumpu Park):
5 minutes on foot from Shin-Shizuoka Station on the Shizutetsu Railway Line
10 minutes on foot from JR Shizuoka Station
15 minutes by car from Shizuoka Interchange on the Tomei expressway
Shizuoka City is one hour by Shinkansen Bullet Train from Tokyo and two hours from Kyoto

Opening hours: 09:00~16:30
Closed on Mondays (if Monday is a National Holiday, open on Monday and closed on Tuesday).
Closed from December 29th to January 3rd
Check admission fees at entrance
Interpretation services by citizen volunteers are available on reservation in several languages. For further details contact the Parks and Green Areas Division of City Hall at (054) 221-1121 or the Tea Room Office at (054) 251-0016

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So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
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, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Japanese Tea Sommelier in Japan: Florent Weugue

Florent Weugue Japanese Tea Instructor, a resident in Japan since 2005, was the first French national to be certified “Nihoncha (Japanese tea) Instructor” in Japan.

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Do visit his splendid blog at JAPANESE TEA SOMMELIER

Working in Japanese tea business since 2009, he is now in charge of the research and selection of teas and accessories for Thes-du-Japon online shop.
He wants to share authentic Japanese teas, from single estate, providing informations on producing areas, cultivar, producers, etc. He also wants to share correct knowledge about Japanese tea.

His English blog and French blog are the reference sites for a true study and knowledge of Japanese Tea that anyone seriously wishing to challenge!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Japanese Tea Sommelier by Florent Weugue
So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
rre.Cuisine
, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Soft Drinks tasting: Shizuoka Cola (Green Tea) by Kimura Foods Co. in Shimada City!

In Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture there is an unsuual and very interesting company which produces local soft drinks with a very famous name but definitely tastier and healthier than the same products of some well-known giant companies!

SN3O0041

Yes, Shizuoka Cola is made with green tea, and not with a certain nefarious ingredient!
The design is remarkable for its retro concept. One almost has the impression of a time-slip in Japan!

SN3O0043

Product name: Shizuoka Cola
Contents: 240 ml
Ingredients: Liquid grape sugar. Shizuoka Green Tea. aroma and acidity agents, Safflower for natural yellow coloring. Cape Jasmine for natural green color

SN3O0044

Clarity: very clean but partiallu cloudy due to the real tea powder
Color: Green tea color
Aroma: Soft sweetish green tea
Bubbles: Quite fizzy, just the right pleasant amount
Taste: Soft and fruity attack, less sweet than expected, but just with the right balance.
Complex: Mainly sweetish green tea with strong notes of grapes.
Very pleasant bubbles and the right amount of them not overwhelming your senses.
Very refreshing and satisfying.
Disappears fairly quickly with no cloying impression.
Insistently invites to the next sip.

Overall: Very refreshing, pleasant and utterly elegant soft drink.
Sophisticated taste enhanced by the originality of the ingredient.
Just sweet enough to please both very young, young and older people.
Best enjoyed just a little chilled. No need for ice.
Could definitely be mixed into all kinds of cocktails.
To bring to a summer BBQ for thi\ose who especially need a break from alcohol!
The green color and the fact it has no alcohol whatsoever and that it is also healthy would be very welcome for people with special priorities!
An original and healthy souvenir, too!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
rre.Cuisine
, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Christmas Cake: Japanese Matcha Bavarois

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I thought it might help my friends to re-publish some of the best Japanese cakes I have introduced before for suggestions for the coming Christmas!

This one is Japanese Matcha Bavarois!

Matcha/抹茶, an ingredient readily available here in Shizuoka, opens the door to so many ideas as it can included in almost all cakes.
Moreover, its green colour is an extra attraction that is difficult to resist!
Here is the recipe for a cake that marries western and eastern traditions!
Just think of alternative decorations fro Christmas! ( a Green Christmas?)

INGREDIENTS: For a 21 cm diameter mold (can be adapted to square molds or individual molds)

-Sponge Cake:
Eggs: 3 large
Sugar: 70 g
All purpose flour: 40 g
Matcha powder: 1 tablespoon
Butter (unsalted): 25 g

-Bavarois:
Milk: 200ml
Fresh cream (vegetal): 200 ml
Egg whites: 3
Sugar: 50 g
Gelatin: 5 g
Matcha powder: 1 tablespoon
Water (to dissolve matcha powder): 5 tablespoons
Matcha liqueur (optional, but try and find it or replace with something else according to taste!): a little

-Decoration jelly (nappage):
Matcha powder: 2 tablespoons
Gelatin: 5 g
Sugar: 40 g
Water: 250 ml

Supplementary decoration (optional):
Chestnuts (cooked)
Black beans (cooked)
Candied mint leaves

RECIPE:

-Sponge Cake:
Separate the whites and yolks of the eggs, beat the yolks until thick and lemon colored, add the sugar gradually.
Mix matcha powder and sifted flour. Mix in butter by hand (with the tips of your fingers). Add egg yolks and sugar and mix well. Cut and fold in the stiffly beaten egg white.
Bake in an ungreased pan in a very moderate oven.
Bake until the cake is puffed, has lost its shine, and springs back when gently pressed.
Let cool completely and trim off to shape of the cake mold.
Line the cake mold with a layer of sponge cake.

-Bavarois:
Soften jelly in cold water or dissolve it depending on type.
Whisk the the egg whites thick and hard with sugar.
Bring the milk and fresh cream to boil.
Switch off fire.
Add matcha powder and matcha liqueur and mix well.
Let cool completely. Add and mix in gelatin.
Fold in egg whites.
Pour the bavarois over the sponge cake and leave in refrigerator overnight.

-Decoration jelly:
Soften gelatin or dissolve in a little water.
In a pan pour in water, matcha powder, sugar and heat to dissolve sugar. Switch off fire and add gelatin. Mix weel.
Wait until it has cooled off completely.
Take cake out of refrigerator and pour jelly all over.
Put back in refrigerator and leave it until it has properly settled.

Decorate further with chestnuts, candied mint leaves and black beans.

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That is how it would look once cut.

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The same as an individual cake!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in kanzai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Green Tea: Shizuoka Prefecture Tea First Auctions in 2012 in Shizuoka City!

As proved every year with this most important event Tea growers are early-risers!
Since Marufuku Tea Factory (Shizuoka City) in the person of Ms. Asami Itoh/伊藤麻美 had again kindly invited me to attend and interview at the official first day of the new tea auctions (officially) held today (April 25rd) I found myself the only European (journalist) present at the early hour of 6:00 a.m.!

As a special guest I was wearing a cap with Marufuku Tea Factory written on it (the only foreign journalist offered the privilege that day!)!

But most people must have gathered there since 5:00 a.m. notwithstanding the bad weather!

A tea massage demonstration was held outside for the benefit of the media!

It is fun to take the local media at work!

The local “Chya Musume”/Tea Ladies serving fresh tea to all! The tea was Hon Yama Tea from around Shizuoka City!

The real tea auctions had been taking place from very early inside the Shizuoka Tea Hall where (officially) 800 people were busy selling and buying green tea from all over the Prefecture!

Signs and names clearly indicated which teas were auctioned by which growers at which desks!

Mr. Fumiaki Ichikawa/市川文明さん, auctioning the tea of Marufuku Tea Factory/丸福製茶株式会社!

All the green tea on auction is asai-mushi tya/浅い蒸し茶/tea that had been lightly steamed during the previous night!

Each tray of tea was placed with an auction card and tea box with the company trademark.

The card with the proposed price and the tea box of the same company!

At the bottom of a card a client had agreed to buy one batch of 10 kg!

The time had come for the official speeches and the TV crews were ready to shoot the noon and evening news of the day.

The Chairman of the Shizuoka Prefecture Tea Growers Association.

The political bigwigs!
This is an event that the very top local politicians cannot afford to miss!

The Tea Ladies were certainly all ears!

Shizuoka Prefecture Governor, Heita Kawakatsu/川勝平太静岡県知事!

Shizuoka City Mayor, Nobuhiro Tanabe/田辺信宏静岡市長!

The auction is always concluded with the traditional hand clapping!
In this case it was done in the “sanbonjime/triple clapping” style!

Outside some were busy preparing food for sale for all those hungry people!

A local farmer was even selling tea trees in pots!

Note: In spite of all the recent radioactivity scares this year’s tea is not only absolutely safe, it is at least as good as last year’s!
Next report will be in the tea-fields picking up the Ichiban Cha (First leaves of the year)!

Marufuku Tea Factory
420-0006 Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Wakamatsu, Cho, 25
Tel.: 054-271-2011
Fax: 054-271-2010
Mobile: 090-3250-4188

CHA-O (Director, Ms. Asami Itoh)
420-0006 Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Wakamatsu Cho, 94
Tel: 054-253-8421
Fax: 054-253-8413
HOMEPAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, 47 Japanese Farms Through The Eyes of Its Rural Communities, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento,Adventures in Bento Making, American Bent, Beanbento, Bento No, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box,
Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Cooking Cute, Timeless Gourmet, Bento Bug, Ideal Meal, Bentosaurus, Mr. Foodie (London/UK), Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Green Tea Cakes & Ice Creams at Nanaya by Shizuoka Macha Sweets Factory!

Macha Level 8 Ice cream!

Nanaya Shizuoka Macha Sweets Factory is produced by Marushichi Tea Factory in Fujieda City.
They own two shops, one in Fujieda City and the other in Shizuoka City!
This report is about the Shizuoka Shop!

You can’t miss it on Aoba Kouen Street! It’s all green (Tea green of course!)!

“Marushichi/Round Seven/丸七”. The number “7” is considered as the luckiest number in Japan, and Maru stands for the circle found around the number!
The number “7” can also be pronounced “nana”, hence the name of the shops!

The green color of macha powder must be one of the most beautiful green hues in this world!

All the macha powder used in their cakes and ice creams is exclusively made from green tea grown in Okabe Cho, Fujieda City!

They even offer choux a la creme/”chou ceam” with macha custard inside!

A superbly clean shop!

They also offer all kinds of healthy products by Ichinose!

Don’t forget to take a good look at their commercial film on the TV screen! You’ll learn a lot!

What did I tell you?

They also sell beautiful earthenware tea cups!

Have a good look at their healthy cakes!

But naturally I was mainly attracted by the ice creams which can be savored on site!

Ice cream must be the most forgivable sin in the whole world!

The macha ice creams from level 1 to 8, according to their content in pure macha powder!

You are welcome to enjoy your ice cream at ease on a chair on site! You are even provided with wet paper napkins!

And here was my choice: Macha Cone Level 8, of course!
That deep green color is going to make a lot of friends envious! LOL

NANAYA Shizuoka Shop
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryogae Cho, 2-3-1 (Aoba Park Street)
Tel.: 054-251-7783
Opening hours: 11:00~19:00
Closed on Wednesdays 8except on national Holidays)

NANAYA Fujieda Shop
Fujieda City, Naisetosaka Shimo, 141-1
Tel.: 054-646-7783
Opening hours: 10:00~18:00
Closed on Wednesdays (except on National Holidays)
HOMEPAGE (Japanese but look at the pictures!)
STAFF’S BLOG (Japanese, too, but look at the pictures!)

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

My White Kitchen, 47 Japanese Farms Through The Eyes of Its Rural Communities, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento,Adventures in Bento Making, American Bent, Beanbento, Bento No, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box,
Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Cooking Cute, Timeless Gourmet, Bento Bug, Ideal Meal, Bentosaurus, Mr. Foodie (London/UK), Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery