Tea

Ordering Ceremonial Matcha in Kyoto

Ordering ceremonial matcha in Kyoto
| Danielle Geva

The good thing about arriving in a surprisingly busy area of Kyoto, was the amble choice of teahouses. In an attempt to be open to new experiences, I embraced under-planning and walked into the first teahouse I came across. After drinking matcha in Shinsaibashi in Osaka, I wanted to try a matcha flavoured food. The menu had a variety of matcha noodle dishes, and appetizing desserts. Since matcha is an acquired taste, flavoured ice cream, tiramisu, and parfaits are a great alternative for those who don’t yet appreciate ceremonial matcha.

There were many food items, but unfortunately no vegan options. Instead, I ordered a ceremonial matcha and hoped it would be served with a sweet treat. In Japanese teahouses, the most expensive matcha on the menu is the highest grade ceremonial matcha and is served with sencha and wagashi. Wagashi is a small Japanese confection, often made from sugar and rice flour. It is typically plant-based, even when it includes a filling.

The order did end up including a delicious pink wagashi. The matcha itself didn’t have that distinct umami flavour, however, it was still extremely fresh and skillfully prepared. I also ordered an iced matcha, which was smooth but much sweeter than expected as they added a generous amount of syrup.

Sometimes it’s nice to stroll around, and visit a place without looking at reviews. Though, I have extremely high expectations for my next matcha tasting as it would be in the highly regarded teahouses of Uji.

My first visit to Kyoto

My first visit to Kyoto
| Danielle Geva

After months of searching for the best hojicha Kyoto has to offer, I’ve finally found hojicha worth sharing and have officially launched Hōjicha Co. Japan Today kindly featured the exciting news, including more about the origin of Hōjicha Co. and our future plans. If you’d like to celebrate the launch and taste my new favourite tea, use code: DANIELLE10 to get 10% off any of our products (yes, even the Hojicha Launch Pack).

If you have no idea what hojicha is, you’re not alone. Although it was invented nearly 100 years ago in Kyoto, hojicha is only now beginning to gain popularity outside of Japan. Hojicha is a roasted green tea that has zero bitterness and is reddish-brown in colour. I only discovered the naturally sweet tea last March in Osaka.

During that trip to Osaka, I also visited Kyoto for the first time. After wanting to experience the modern urban vibes of Tokyo on an earlier trip to Japan, I was now ready to slow down and explore nature. Kyoto was always described to me as a peaceful hiking destination. That is why I was utterly shocked when I arrived at a bustling shopping district.

My first visit to Kyoto

As I tried to navigate through the crowded streets, I double-checked that Maruyama Park was in fact nearby. The cherry blossom season started early this year, and I didn’t want to miss out on the blooms near Yasaka Shrine. When I arrived at the park, I walked towards the cherry blossom viewing spot Google Maps had suggested. However, I was once again caught off guard as the spot turned out to be a festival area full of food stands. I continued to venture deeper into the park, determined to find a quiet spot.

My first visit to Kyoto

A few moments later, I was surrounded by nature. On my stroll I came across ancient shrines, beautiful buddhist temples, serene ponds, and colourful cherry blossoms. It dawned on me that there was much to see in Kyoto, and it was best experienced first hand with an open mind. A realization I hope to remember throughout all of my travels.

My first visit to Kyoto

 

Last Year’s Veg Food Fest

Veg Food Fest 17 milkshake
| Danielle Geva

The annual Veg Food Fest is this weekend, and I’m getting into the spirit by looking at photos from last year. Turns out there’s a whole lot of them. Here’s a taste of veg food fest 2017.

BRGR KVLT

Veg Food Fest 17 burger
dav clone tag: 6860165655223335153

From the team that brought you Apiecalypse Now! comes the tastiest, biggest, and most inventive vegan burger menu you’ve ever seen. I’m talking about BRGR KVLT of course, which were last year’s main event. Oh, and they’re back at it again this year so don’t miss out.

It was a tough choice, but I finally decided to get the EYEATETHOU. This giant burger is actually a mouth-watering chicken and waffles sandwich. Two gluten-free cornbread waffles barely hold together the following: gluten-free southern fried crunchy tofu, sweet potato salad, buttermilk ranch, coconut bacon, and corn succotash. Are you drooling yet? It was so good, I had to get it twice. The other burger pictured? Oh, that’s just BRGR KVLT’s most popular burger: WOLVES IN THE BURGER ROOM! Imagine a double cheeseburger gone wild. This burger has a white bun, lettuce, two soy patties, cheese, bacon, mac and cheese, chips, deep fried pickles, maple bbq sauce, and garlic mayo. The best part? These burgers are 100% plant-based so you won’t feel like crap afterwards. Now all that’s left is to head to Apiecalypse Now! and scope out dessert.

Bloomer’s

Veg Food Fest 17 french toast doughnut

This french toast doughnut from Bloomer’s has got to be the best doughnut I have ever eaten. After finding out about this doughnut online, I headed straight to the Bloomer’s booth on Saturday morning. Good thing I arrived early because the french toast doughnut sold out fast. My guess is that once people tasted the doughnut, they couldn’t help but tell a friend and get at least one more. I know I did.

Richa Gupta (Good Food For Good) Cooking Demo

Veg Food Fest

Aside from the amazing food vendors, Veg Food Fest also has presentations, yoga, workshops, and cooking demos. In between taking notes and nibbling on samples, I forgot to take photos of the most of the food served after the cooking demos. However, I do have a photo of the incredible food prepared by Richa Gupta from Good Food For Good. Pictured is popcorn, soup, tea, tofu scramble, and chickpea crepe. All made with turmeric! Who knew you could use turmeric in so many ways? It’s tough to pick a favourite, but if I’d have to choose I’d go with the curried coconut carrot lentil soup. For some unknown reason, I am terrible at making soup, and so I’m always impressed when I taste one that is spot on.

Sam Turnbull (It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken) Cooking Demo

Veg Food Fest nacho cheese

Another cooking demo where I remembered to take photos of the food was Sam Turnbull’s demo with recipes from her blog It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken. After Sam’s demo, I was an instant fan. She had a great positive energy, and made cooking seem fun and effortless. In addition to baking a classic chocolate chip cookie, Sam made sweet Korean lentils which I’ve never had or even heard of before. She also made her Melty Stretchy Gooey Vegan Nacho Cheese, and managed to convince me of how easy making plant-based cheese can be. I vowed to recreate the fuss-free recipes the following week (and successfully have made them many times since!).

King’s Café

Veg Food Fest 17 steamed bun

One of the last things I had at last year’s Veg Food Fest was a steamed bun from King’s Café. The freshly steamed dough was pillowy and light, and the vegetable filling was perfectly seasoned. I’ve wanted to try a steamed bun since discovering Mean Bao, but figured the filling couldn’t possibly be vegan. After having my first taste at Veg Food Fest, I wanted more and was amazed to find how many steamed bun options across the city were accidentally vegan.

Veg Food Fest 2018 starts this Friday (September 7th – 9th), so stop by Harbourfront Centre to celebrate all things veg!

Veg Food Fest
Veg Food Fest 17 french toast doughnut
Veg Food Fest 17 milkshake
Veg Food Fest nacho cheese
Veg Food Fest 17 steamed bun
Veg Food Fest 17 sundae
Veg Food Fest 17 chocolate
Veg Food Fest 17 pineapple
Veg Food Fest 17 burger
Veg Food Fest 17 cinnanon bun
dav clone tag: 6860165655223335153

 

I’ll have the yellow and blue

Sweet Hart Kitchen
| Danielle Geva

No trip to Kensington Market is complete without a visit to Sweet Hart Kitchen. After originally tasting their delicious desserts at Veg Food Fest, I was delighted when I found out they had opened a physical shop.

blue lemonade and yellow lemon bar

The last time I stopped by Sweet Hart Kitchen, I got their blue lemonade and yellow lemon bar. The bright colours made for a perfect summer treat, especially knowing they weren’t full of artificial colours and flavours. They both tasted even better than they looked.

Every time I enter the shop, I spot a new and temping item. Here’s a few of their creative vegan and gluten-free creations I’ve had in the past.

Matcha Vanilla Cream
Matcha Vanilla Cream

This cake requires patience and precision. I know because I’ve tried to replicate it. After soaking cashews for hours on end, you’ve got to blend them until the texture is silky smooth. After avoiding cashew bits, you need to worry about matcha clumps. Too much matcha may also affect the delicate balance of flavours. Sweet Hart Kitchen’s Matcha Vanilla Cream cheesecake has the perfect combination of matcha, vanilla, and natural sweeteners.

Cookie Dough Cheesecake
Cookie Dough Cheesecake
Vanilla Earl Grey Bundt Cake
Vanilla Earl Grey Bundt Cake

This beautiful cake appears simple, but since it’s gluten-free I’m betting it took several attempts to perfect. As a London Fog fan, I loved this flavour.

Tiramisu Square
Tiramisu Square

If you’re running short on time, you can always grab Sweet Hart Kitchen to go. Warning: some treats won’t make it all the way home.

Hibiscus + Goji Berry Kombucha and Apple Berry Heart Pop-tart
Hibiscus + Goji Berry Kombucha and Apple Berry Heart Pop-tart
Matcha Ice Cream Sandwich
Matcha Ice Cream Sandwich

Visiting Weir’s Lane Lavender & Apiary during a heat wave

Visiting Weir's Lane Lavender & Apiary during a heat wave
| Danielle Geva

There are still plenty of adventures to share from Japan, but I wanted to write about what I’ve been up to in (and around) Toronto. I especially wanted to write about Weir’s Lane Lavender & Apiary before the lavender season ends.

After planning to visit a lavender farm for months, I finally made it to Weir’s Lane. It was the perfect time to see both the English and French lavender flowers. Although, I do wish it wasn’t during a heat wave.

I breathed in the relaxing scent, as I walked among the lavender rows. Since the sun was beaming down, and the field was fairly small, I felt that I had made the most of it after a few minutes.

When I headed back to the car, I saw some people walking down the path. I figured that’s where the shop was and decided to check it out. As the path curved, an even bigger lavender field revealed itself. I forgot all about the heat, and excitedly walked towards the fragrant blooms.

Neighbouring farms and trees hid the roads, cars, and buildings. It felt incredibly peaceful to be surrounded by nature. The only two other people in the field were quietly taking photos. Before leaving, I did the same. Apparently my silly poses gave the other people ideas for new angles, and they stayed behind continuing to snap photos.

Visiting Weir's Lane Lavender & Apiary during a heat wave

On my way to the shop, I noticed thousands of bees buzzing around stacked boxes. One of the owners casually asked if I was interested in bees. My gut reaction was to say nope and keep on walking, but he reassured me that the bees wouldn’t risk their short lives to hurt me. He then continued to explain all kinds of fascinating tidbits about bees. When he found out I was vegan, he shared the gentle way in which they treat the bees. They never move the hives, and only gather honey once a year before it overflows the hive. They gather the honey long before the winter, ensuring the bees have enough time to adequately stock up for the cold.

The ticket prices included a coupon for the shop, and after learning about their honey I wanted to give it a taste. I ended up buying two jars of lavender infused honey. There were also lavender plants for purchase, but the owner advised that they would only thrive directly in the ground.

Visiting Weir's Lane Lavender & Apiary during a heat wave

As soon as I got home, I ate a spoonful of the lavender infused honey. It tasted sweet and fresh with just the right amount of lavender flavour. The distinct taste was there, but it didn’t feel like eating a bar of soap as I feared. The liquid gold tastes great in tea, but my favourite way to enjoy it is as a crepe filling. I either spread it directly on the crepes, or prepare a paste with the honey and ground up black sesame seeds. Just typing this is making me crave it.

If you don’t get a chance to visit a lavender farm this season, you can always start planning one for next year.