The moment I get to sit down with a cup of tea and a treat is my favourite part of the day. I often pair my teas with scones or chocolate, but this past month I had the opportunity to explore traditional Japanese sweets with Sakuraco. I was gifted this monthly subscription box that includes 20 snacks from Japan plus home goods and tea. Ayumi Chikamoto founded this company to bring an authentic Japanese tea time into the homes of many around the world. Every box comes with a snack and culture discovery guide telling stories about the flavours of Japan that can be found inside. I really appreciated learning more about the sweets and tea while I indulged. At the tea table Ayumi shared how she was introduced to tea, the inspiration behind Sakuraco and her favourite tea and food pairing.
The kettle is on and I can hear it about to sing. What tea are you going to steep for us today?
Right now in Japan, we’re in the heat of summer, so I would make cold Japanese tea.
My favorite is a green tea blend from Shizuoka which is both fragrant and sweet. You brew it with hot water and then quickly cool it down with ice. This locks in the flavor, without the bitter aftertaste, and makes for a refreshingly delicious iced tea.
Very refreshing! Please tell us a little about how your journey with tea began.
The first tea I ever drank was hojicha, which my grandmother had brewed for me. I remember being at her house in Kobe and the fragrant roasted aroma emanating from the big kettle.
I would play with my sister and cousins. At snack time we would all enjoy tea and rice crackers that my grandmother had lovingly made for us.
What is your daily tea ritual like today?
It’s actually rainy and a little cold today, so I’m going to have a cup of hot tea. Once work settles down a bit, I’ll have tea time with my two favorite things: sakura green tea and yokan (fruit jelly).
You are the founder of three other monthly boxes, including the Japanese Snack Box, Beauty Box, and Kawaii Box. What inspired you to launch Sakuraco, the latest subscription service that offers elements of Japanese tea?
There are a lot of manufacturers in Japan who are dedicated to providing truly delicious tea. However, most of them are small, family-run companies that are not well-known or sometimes even available outside of the country.
I started Sakuraco because I wanted to share the amazing tea and snacks crafted by these Japanese makers with people overseas.
In Japan, there is a culture of tea time called “oyatsu” where people enjoy tea and sweets with their family and friends at 3 in the afternoon. This tradition has been handed down for generations and is a favorite time for all Japanese people, from young to old.
At Sakuraco, we always pack two tea bags and a box of sweets that can be shared, so that people all over the world can join in this beloved pastime.
I like to pair tea and food to experience the combination of flavors. The Tiramisu Baumkuchen in my Sakuraco box was especially delicious with sencha. What is your favorite combination of Japanese food and tea?
My favorite tea is green tea infused with cherry blossoms. It is smooth and bitter with a slightly sweet sakura flavor that is really delicious. The delicate floral after-notes of the cherry blossoms match wonderfully with sponge cake, a traditional, light cake made with eggs.
In general, Japanese green tea has a slightly bitter taste, so I recommend pairing it with a sweet cake or yokan.
Speed Round:
Black, Green, Yellow, White, Oolong or Puerh?
Green
Hot, Iced or Cold?
Iced
Teapot, Infuser or Gaiwan?
Teapot
Straight, Sweetened or Latte?
Straight
Cheese or Chocolate pairing?
Chocolate
Choose one person, living or passed, celebrity or family, that you would like to have tea and treats with.
I would choose my mother. I would love to have the time to talk with her and to get her mentorship on work, family, and raising children over a cup of tea.
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ABOUT THIS SERIES: Tea tells stories and when connected with humans, more are created. That’s where the idea for this blog series, At the Tea Table, originated. With this series, The Cup of Life asks tea lovers around the world to take us inside their tea lives to share their favourite steeps, spaces, routines and more. Meet some of your fellow tea drinkers here.