On July 8th, we had the pleasure of hosting a morning tea tasting event at Yamada Kodomo-en (Yamada pre-school) in Higashisonogi for the third consecutive year.
This annual event is organised for families who are considering enrolling their children at the pre-school the following year. While parents had the opportunity to experience the school’s welcoming atmosphere, we were delighted to introduce them to the rich variety of locally produced teas from Higashisonogi.
For us, it was a wonderful opportunity not only to promote the region’s tea culture, but also to spend a cheerful morning surrounded by smiling babies and curious toddlers from the pre-school!
Warmly welcomed by Reina, one of the pre-school’s wonderful staff members, we had about an hour to prepare everything before the first guests arrived.
As parents settled in with their little ones, the tasting began with a refreshing mizudashi tamaryokucha (cold-brewed green tea) made from our special blend produced by Ikeda Chaen. Its smooth, naturally sweet flavour made it the perfect tea to begin this warm summer morning on a refreshing note.
Guests were then invited to brew their own cup of Ohyama Shin Saemidori Tamaryokucha, giving them the chance to experience the tea’s delicate umami flavour and learn how to brew tea using a kyusu, with techniques they could easily reproduce at home.
The third tea was a bōhōjicha, also produced by Ikeda Chaen, whose comforting roasted notes and flowery fragrance are especially appreciated.
Next came one of the highlights of the event: a self-whisking session featuring our special Gento Tamaryoku Funmatcha from Ikeda Chaen. For two moms, it was their very first time whisking matcha! This interactive experience allowed everyone to prepare their own bowl of Funmatcha before enjoying it alongside a delicious soy milk pudding topped with fresh fruit, kinako powder, and black sugar syrup, kindly prepared and offered by the pre-school. The combination of flavours made for a memorable “gourmet moment”.
To conclude the tasting, we served a wakōcha (Japanese black tea) produced by Fukuda. Its naturally sweet and lightly malty taste received many compliments from the parents and provided a perfect finish to the session.
As the morning came to an end, the room was filled with the comforting aroma of tea and the cheerful babbling of babies—a wonderful atmosphere that perfectly reflected the spirit of the event.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone at Yamada Kodomo-en for their warm hospitality and for once again placing their trust in us. We are always grateful for opportunities like this to share the story of Higashisonogi tea with local families, and we already look forward to returning again next year!
Author: Sara C.