April 2016 - Cherry Blossoms, Japan House, Matcha Tea, Asian Inspired Recipes - Food for Your Body, Mind, and SpiritFood for Your Body, Mind, and Spirit

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A Message from Springtime

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Finding a Way to Cherry Blossoms

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Orange Blossom Fruit Tea Cups

Orange Spice Fruit Tea Cups

This is a refreshing treat to serve for breakfast, brunch, or tea time. We like to serve it chilled from the refrigerator.

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Spring has arrived! It’s a time to welcome a new start, begin again, rejoice in the beauty of life. After the chill of winter, the world offers a symbolic vision to channel new growth into full blossoming beauty. It starts simply with cherry trees exploding into pink and white flowers that are more than beautiful. They are an evolving symbol that offers the opportunity for new ideas and dreams to become reality.

I know you probably marveled at the Internet and newspaper pictures of the stunning cherry trees in full bloom around National Mall and Potomac Park in Washington D.C. But more than beautiful, they stand like poetic statues for people and countries, extending their branches outward to remind us how important it is to bond with friends, old and new.

In Japanese culture, the fully bloomed cherry blossoms are announcing a brand-new beginning. These tiny blossoms blaze out their beauty for a few weeks in the spring and then quickly disappear, representing both the fragility and beauty of life. They stand as a reminder of how precarious and yet precious life is.

For thousands of years, cherry blossoms have been an evolving symbol of celebration for the nation of Japan, but in the United States, we owe a vote of thanks to Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore. She was the sister of George Hawthorne Scidmore, a Far East diplomat, and accompanied him on his assignments to Japan. This is where she loved to wander beneath the cherry blossoming trees surrounded by these delicate flowers.

Returning to the United States, she expressed the idea of planting Japanese cherry trees in the Capital but found little support from federal park supervisors for her idea. However, two decades later, Helen Taft, the First Lady, responded favorably to Eliza Scidmore’s idea of planting cherry trees in the Potomac Park area near the Washington Monument. That finally led to the Japanese government sending 3,020 cherry trees to the United States in 1912 as a gift from the people of Japan.

An interesting aside is that Eliza Scidmore was one of only three special guests that Mrs.Taft invited to attend the private ceremony when the first two Japanese cherry trees were planted in Washington. From that small moment grew our own blossoming cherry tree tradition.

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University of Illinois – Japan House Gardens/Arboretum

University of Illinois – Japan House Gardens/ Arboretum

Scanning local papers and the internet revealed an amazing opportunity. We didn’t have to travel to Washington D.C. to see those cherry blossoms blooming. In Urbana, Illinois, we would be able to see Japanese Cherry Blossoms at the Japan House Gardens. Not only that but we could also make a reservation to experience an authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony.

Japan House Gardens – Cherry Blossom Alley

Japan House is part of the College of Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Illinois. University students and the general public are offered the opportunity to attend programs that bring the traditional arts of Japan right to the Midwest. This is a place that creates those connections that will unite us as part of the collective world.

Gloria Goodtaste in Enchanting Cherry Blossom Alley

How disappointed we were when we were greeted by lots of clouds, light showers, and even heavy rain on the day of our visit. We were so disappointed that we wouldn’t be able to take very good pictures. As we approached the short path to Japan House, our little prayers were answered and the sun appeared, complete with blue skies. To make it complete, as we rounded the corner a short walkway to the north, there it was a gift from nature, a garden lined by blossoming cherry trees with rays of sunshine sparkling through the delicate pastel flowers. It was one of those magical moments of dreams that come true. Walking under the blossoms, I felt like I was surrounded by heavenly peace.

Blooming Cherry Blossoms on March 31st, 2016 at Japan House Gardens – University of Illinois – Urbana Campus

A short walk to the Japan House welcomed us to place our busy life aside and enter nature’s realm. Looking out at the gardens filled with vegetation, stone, and water, the symmetrical patterns brought nature inside, preparing us to enjoy, relax, and connect with each other. Our hostess told us to set the hustle and bustle of the outside world momentarily aside.

Japan House Gardens – Cherry Blossom Alley with Public Viewing of Cherry Blossoms on March 31st, 2016

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Japanese Tea Ceremony – A moment of inner peace while enjoying a small cup of tea

The tea ceremony involves the practical and aesthetical Matcha Tea preparation and the attempt to connect with the guests, and sometimes with nature at a high spiritual level.

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Japan House – Japanese Tea Ceremony – March 31st 2016

Japanese Tea Ceremony – Japan House – March 31st, 2016

The Host or Hostess Prepared for the Tea

We were invited to bring harmony to our souls. The practical preparation started with choosing the right tools, which depended on the season and the part of the day the ceremony was taking place.

Green Tea from Matcha Leaves – Good to the Last Expected Loud Slurp

The Ceremony Is Completed

After all the guests drank their tea, the host or hostess cleaned the bowl, rinsed, and cleaned the tea whisk and scoop again. The guests needed to inspect the tools used in the ceremony after they were cleaned as a sign of respect and admiration for the host or hostess.

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Product Shout-Out
Matcha Green Tea Powder

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Cherry Blossom Rippled Ice Cream with Matcha Green Tea Topping

Cherry Blossom Rippled Ice Cream with Green Tea Topping

Creamy easy-to-make vanilla almond ice cream is swirled with fresh cherry bits.

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Sweet Cherry Mini Tea Doughnuts with Coconut Cream Sauce

Sweet Cherry Mini Tea Doughnuts with Coconut Cream Sauce

They are lightly flavored with cherry juice and tossed with confectioners’ or granulated sugar, cinnamon, and Matcha Green tea powder.

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Recipes from the Far East

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Ginger Dressed Golden Beans with Purple Cauliflower

Ginger Dressed Golden Beans with Purple Cauliflower

! It’s a plate full of nutrition. Also, the vibrant ginger dressing adds a wonderful freshness that makes this side dish so delicious and beautiful.

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Oven Fried Chicken Breasts with Soy Ginger Garlic Sauce

Oven Fried Chicken Breasts with Soy Ginger Garlic Sauce

It makes a beautiful presentation on a bok choy lined platter topped with melting mushrooms and green onions, and sprinkled with fragrant toasted sesame seed

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Asian Wonton Mango Dip ‘n Chips