SMALL TALK for FEAST
One of the longest tradition “Amazake”
Amazake is a quite traditional Japanese drink
[ goes back to 250 to 538 AD] made of fermented rice.
Literally means “sweet” (甘) “sake” (酒),
it has a creamy, thick consistency with a sweet flavor.
Although it is commonly called the sweet sake, the Amazake we use is made non-alcohol.
Organic Koji Mold from Jorinji Miso, the best of Portland local Mis maker.
Amazake is made out of two ingredients; Just rice and Koji mold[Aspergillus oryzae].
But why is it sweet?
This is because enzymes break down starch into glucose/sugar during the fermentation process.
Amazake is a Japanese summer delicacy that is so full of nutrients that it is commonly referred to as a drinkable intravenous drip.
Our 3 y/o Bancha Kakigori with Tofu- Mochi
What is “3 y/oBancha” ?
It is a tea made by harvesting not only the leaves of a tea tree that has been growing for three years, but also the branches, stems, and the whole plant, roasting it over a wood fire, and fermenting it.
The closest it comes to tasting like hojicha[Roasted Green tea ], but it is also earthier and has a slight sweetness like cocoa.
Tea fields of our Matcha and 3y/o Bancha,Nara Japan
Unlike other teas, this tea is harvested in winter, which has the advantage of diffusing the labor of tea farmers and stabilizing their income. It is also a variety that can help stop the drastic decrease in the number of tea farmers in Japan every year and keep them sustainable.
We kept peach skin after making puree and roasted them and ground into powder with flaky sea salt.
Enjoy the marriage of this tea with the PNW's famous peaches. Rasted peach skin[as an hint of ] salt is also handmade.
Azuki Beans is one of the ingredients that often appear in Japanese celebrations and to ward off evil spirits.
It is believed that the red color of the azuki beans contains the power to pray for good health and ward off bad luck.
As a personal nostalgic reminder, azuki beans were my grandmother's favorite snack. She ate them even just before her death.
The combination of matcha green tea and azuki beans is my best of nostalgia.
