Teance Fine Teas Blog

Tea Adventures

Not exactly Nebuta festival but here at the Manga Museum, the…

Tea Adventures

Not exactly Nebuta festival but here at the Manga Museum, the tour group gets exposed to the 70 years of rich manga culture as well as what ‘kawaii’ means! Only in Japan can cute and profound meet, and in the world of manga, an unlimited expression of everything that’s on anyone’s mind or imagination can be found. That explains the little cartoon signs in front of 600 year old temples, the appeal of Hello Kitty, and the now worldwide phenomenon of manga culture. Super heroes they may not be- the majority of manga is in the struggle of everyday life and issues.

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At Ippodo, which was, since 1717 AD, the oldest and most…

Tea Adventures

At Ippodo, which was, since 1717 AD, the oldest and most prestigious teashop in Kyoto. They treated us to a workshop today. It’s rare for me to visit a teashop and learn some great techniques of teaching about tea, in very approachable and accessible ways. The group tasted Gyokuro cold steeped or brewed at 50 C, how Sencha varies against Bancha, and saw a demonstration of how matcha can be whisked at supersonic speeds of 10 seconds or less. Seeing these teas in their cultural habitats were mind blowing experiences.

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In Kyoto, Japan, home of the samurai and the best artisan crafts….

Tea Adventures

In Kyoto, Japan, home of the samurai and the best artisan crafts. These guys in the tour are out of control, they are having way too much fun. I had these deep intentions of setting the tone and showcasing the culture and food that makes the tea special. Zen and the art of living! Everything was special to these guys- the custard tofu! The lacquer ware! The artful displays! The stunning gardens and temples! And yes, now they understand how the tea fits in, in the world of aesthetic, gourmet, everyday down to earth food. But, the repercussions have just began. Various group members are discussing not going back to the U.S. And some are just angry that the food in the U.S. are just too far away from good. Even the 7-elevens are have awesome rice balls, against what, Doritos in the U.S.? It’s a wonder how great living standards can be when you are not wasting money on Drones and Missiles…. Make rice balls, not bombs?

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