Seasonal tea information: the time of "Seimei 清明"
by 黒田九兵衛The cherry blossom season has passed, and the tea leaves are beginning to grow.
The photo below shows the April state of the tea plant (Yabukita) planted in the garden for observation. There are new shoots.
At this time of year, it is called Seimei (清明) in the 24th solar term, and it is the time when vegetation sprouts in the clear and bright spring day. The average temperature here in Kanagawa prefecture is around 15 ℃.
In Japan, there are new year's events such as school entrance ceremonies, company initiation ceremonies, and job transfers, and it is a season when gastrointestinal problems are likely to occur due to stress caused by tension. In addition, it is easy to get sick because the temperature is volatile between hot and cool.
To avoid gastrointestinal problems, actively eat fermented foods such as soy sauce, miso, natto and pickled vegetables. The eating habits that people have been told in Japan to eat breakfast with rice and miso soup are reasonable.
It's also a good time to get rid of the fat you've accumulated during the winter months. Start with a light walk and gradually increase your walking time.
The recommended tea at this time is "sencha". The umami and relaxing effects of theanine work both physically and mentally. It is a convenient way to make it with water and drink it. You can keep it cold or heat it in the microwave. In addition, chamomile, which has a high relaxing effect during this period, will gain momentum for growth. If you are growing herbs, it is a good idea to float chamomile on sencha.