This is the time of year when one of Japan’s most popular plants comes into flower. It is called ‘Murasaki Shikibu’ and it is named after the classic Japanese noble author and poet Murasaki Shikibu, who wrote the ‘Tale of Genji’ in the early 11th century. I have read this book in Japanese and we also have copies of it in English now in our store. ‘The Tale of Genji’ is the world’s oldest full-length romance, and it features many elegant and intelligent women, all connected to the handsome main character ‘Hikaru Genji’ – the Shining Prince. In the book, the Japanese seasons serve as an essential backdrop, symbolising the characters' romantic experiences, inner emotions and destinies.

In the summer I was drinking quite a lot of cold brew green tea. Now that the seasons have changed, I have switched to hot drinks! It is certainly quite a big change, but we must celebrate this time, and recognize that we are in the season of ‘Soukou’ – the last season of autumn - so I am keen to appreciate the beauty of this time of year. 

I tend to always drink three cups of matcha a day. Currently I am drinking single origin Saemidori matcha Gekkou. Gekkou is mild, with a good umami flavour and sweetness, a refreshing, elegant fragrance, with a subtle floral hint. I drink matcha latte as well, but am drinking ‘usucha’ gentle matcha tea without milk most of the time.

After 5.00 pm I drink hojicha (roasted green tea) as hojicha is very low in caffeine. Its roasted aroma and nutty flavour suits my pallet especially well in this late autumn weather. 

As the weather has been quite wet and windy recently, I feel like hibernating this weekend with my tea and books. I will be reading much more than during the summer. Sitting next to my heater with my book and blanket and a cup of tea, I can dream of being next to a fireplace with the smell of burning logs, or a ‘ro’ in a Japanese tea room!