Mitsuboshien Kanbayashi, a Japanese Macha Tea House/三星園 上林茶屋
Mitsuboshien Kanbayashi, a Japanese Macha Tea House
◎English translation: Peng Hsin-yi
Kanbayashi is a tea house which specializes in Japanese macha. The Kaohsiung branch was authorized by none other than Mr. Kanbayashi Sannyu, the 16th-generation owner of the parent store "Mitsuboshien," a tea house with more than 500 years of history. When Kanbayashi opened its doors in Kaohsiung, the authentic flavors of Uji macha were transported from Kyoto straight to Kaohsiung.
The CEO of Kanbayashi in Kaohsiung is Mr. Liu Cheng-yi. He says that Mr. Kanbayashi Sannyu began making tea at the age of 18, and has worked every day since then. For Mr. Kanbayashi Sannyu, making the best macha is his mission in life, and he is fully dedicated to every aspect of it. Mr. Kanbayashi Sannyu believes it is important to share the true macha spirit with people in Taiwan, and for that reason, the store is not only a place to sell tea. The resident tea master serves macha "Otemae" style (made to order), so Taiwanese people have an opportunity to fully experience Japanese tea culture.
The tea master's work is in the realm of art. His movements become solemn and graceful. First he wipes the cup, then warms it with hot water. Each cup of tea requires precisely two grams of macha powder, and 80cc of water at a temperature of 80 degrees Celsius (176 degrees Fahrenheit). The tea master then uses a bamboo tea brush to make a "W" movement rapidly in the cup. In his practiced hands, the transparent liquid quickly becomes a refreshing shade of green, and emits a delicate fragrance that caresses the customer's olfactory senses. When the tea turns frothy, it is done. But Japanese tea culture does not end there. The customer is next served a Japanese dessert expertly chosen to match the tea. The proper way to enjoy a cup of macha is to first eat the dessert, then drink the tea. The foamy top of the tea helps smooth the strong, full-bodied beverage. Macha is a beverage with multiple layers which come from the subtle differences between each sip. When having tea with Japanese desserts, the flavor and texture of the tea and sweets complements each other, making both even more enjoyable.
The popular product here is the macha dubbed "Shogun's Tears." It is made with macha and fresh milk, then garnished with shiratama (glutinous rice powder dumpling) and a sweet azuki bean paste. The paste is made fresh daily. A dash of macha powder is added as the finishing touch. There are absolutely no artificial additives, so it is a product that consumers can enjoy without any worries.
|
Kanbayashi Chaya (Tea House)
|
|
|
No. 182, Mingcheng 2nd Rd., Zuoying Dist.
|
|
三星園 上林茶屋
◎文/侯雅婷
高雄「上林茶屋」是日本抹茶專門店,獲得日本京都500年老舖宇治抹茶專門店「三星園」第十六代傳人上林 三入授權,純正抹茶的味道從高雄傳了開來。
上林茶屋執行長劉澄毅表示上林 三入先生從18歲開始製茶,迄今32載不輟,把做好抹茶當成使命,全心投入的職人精神令人敬佩。而上林 三入先生也認同把抹茶的味道分享到台灣來,所以店內不僅販售抹茶,讓客人領略日本茶的文化是他們的初衷,因此現場有茶師為客人展演「御点前」現刷抹茶。
茶師站著製作「御点前」現刷抹茶,動作莊重而優雅,擦拭杯子後溫杯,置入2克抹茶粉,倒入水溫80度80cc的水,快速地以W形刷著抹茶粉,抹茶鮮綠的顏色映入眼簾,飄出一縷獨特而雅緻的香氣,在客人眼前上演一場日本茶文化的展演,直到出現細緻而綿密的泡泡,遞上完成的抹茶並附上禾菓子,請客人先嚐口禾菓子,再啜飲抹茶,入口先嚐到綿密的抹茶泡泡,杯底濃醇的抹茶入口滑順,抹茶多層次口感搭配禾菓子的甘甜風味更形出色。
「將軍的淚」這款受歡迎的手作抹茶霜淇淋是以100%的抹茶和鮮奶製作,一旁綴以純糯米製成的白玉(麻糬)和每日現熬的紅豆,再灑上抹茶粉,不使用任何人工添加物,讓消費者安心享用。
Mige Handmade Soft Serve Gelato
◎English translation: Peng Hsin-yi
Mige Handmade Gelato is a new icy treat shop in Kaohsiung. Even though they have only been open for a little over a year, they already have a loyal fan base. The menu featuring soft gelato made with seasonal fruit or fresh milk, changes daily.
Shop manager Mr. Lai Mingde explains, the two main types of icy deserts that the store serves up are creamy milk-based gelatos and refreshing fruity ones. The most popular flavors that are now considered "classics" include, the milk based Black Sesame, Hand-roasted Peanuts, Dajia Taro, High Density Chocolate and the fruit based Mango. His gelatos are chemical free and contain little sugar. At Mige's, patrons get fresh, delicious gelatos, with only the flavor of the highest grade, natural ingredients and nothing else.
There are elaborate processes that go into producing each flavor. With the Hand-roasted Peanuts for example, the peanut shells must first be removed, the peanuts are then put through a grinder and roasted to bring out the aroma and flavor. The finished product tastes like the most delicious of chewy, icy peanut butter treats, with the loveliest peanut fragrance.
The French Chateau Red Wine Gelato is a limited product that is on the menu once or twice per month. The wine was chosen specifically for its sweetness and fragrance. It does however, have a alcohol content of 6% to 9%, so it is suggested to get the gelato as a take out to enjoy at home.
Mr. Lai feels the most fragrant fruits are best for creating gelato flavors. He lists avocado, pineapple and passion fruit as examples. With peak fruit harvest season fast approaching Mige is a great place to go to enjoy tropical fruit gelato. It is certainly a place where folks can find happiness, cool down and take a break from the summer heat.
|
Mige Handmade Soft Serve Gelato
|
|
|
No.158, Chengcing Rd., Fongshan Dist.
|
|
米格 義式手作霜淇淋
◎文/侯雅婷
開店1年多的「米格義式手作霜淇淋」,每天以當季新鮮水果或鮮奶手作義式冰淇淋受到消費者喜愛。
店長賴明德表示,義式冰淇淋分為以鮮奶製作,口感紮實。另一種為不添加鮮奶,米格以新鮮水果製作,口感清爽。由於米格的義式冰淇淋完全不添加化學劑,且降低甜度使冰淇淋不甜膩,堅持要讓消費者吃到新鮮、原味、好吃的義式冰淇淋。
店裏的經典口味黑芝麻鮮奶、手工炒花生、大甲芋頭、高濃度巧克力和芒果,用料實在各有擁護者,以手工炒花生為例,先將花生撥膜,磨碎至小顆粒狀態,還得經過鍋子炒過,消費者品嚐花生冰淇淋時邊咀嚼花生,香氣唇齒留香。
而法國莊園紅酒冰淇淋是店裏的特別款,一個月僅製作一~二次,為了散發出飽滿的葡萄香氣,選用法國莊園紅酒,吃來有微醺的感覺。紅酒製作成的冰淇淋帶有甜甜口感,酒精濃度達6%~9%,最好外帶回家品嚐。
賴明德指出,只要是香氣足夠的水果都適合製作成義式冰淇淋,比如酪梨、鳳梨和百香果等,跟著水果盛產季節到米格,拾起一段幸福的冰淇淋時光。