Are you throwing away your used tea leaves? If so, you might be missing out! Why People Drink Green Tea Ocha is of East Asian origin, but many people in…
Category: FOOD
Tanabata–When You Wish Upon a Star
Today is Tanabata (七夕, the Star Festival), the one day of the year that the legendary Princess Orihime and her husband, Prince Hikoboshi, are allowed to meet in the heavens.…
July–What Happens and What To Eat
This month, read Japanese literature, make wishes, and send summer gifts and greetings! Month Name–Fumizuki According to the lunisolar calendar, July is called “fumizuki” (文月, Literature Month). In light of…
3 Ways to Use Dokudami
What smells like fish, grows like a weed, and is consumed as tea? You guessed it–dokudami! If you have ever had iced dokudami (どくだみ, Houttuynia cordata) tea on a sweltering…
June–What Happens and What to Eat
Shaved ice, summer clothes, and a summer solstice. What is special about June? Month Name–Minazuki Last month we introduced the traditional naming system for the months in Japan. Although the…
Mottainai! 5 Ways to Reuse Rice Water
If you read our post about The Heart of Kintsugi, or if you are familiar with Japanese culture already, you know that Japanese can’t stand to waste. Throwing away anything…