When you hear someone say "My hobby is listening to rakugo," you might think it's quite sophisticated. But nowadays, there might be many such people. Rakugo, with its 300-year history, has gone through several booms and is still loved by people of all ages and genders.
Why does rakugo continue to maintain its timeless popularity, not just because of its traditional weight? "TOKYO TEA JOURNAL" VOL.21 features a special on rakugo.
The recipe we're introducing today is a tea recommended for listening to rakugo while driving. Is that too niche? The sounds in rakugo are packed with various information, and even if you get stuck in traffic, it can enrich that time. It's also stylish to choose the length and genre of the story according to your destination.
To accompany such a slightly sophisticated way of spending time, we recommend "Fukumidori," which has a firm astringency and bitterness. It's a refreshing tea suitable for the new year, with a young grass-like aroma that follows.
Drive, Rakugo, and "010 Fukumidori"
For putting in a thermos, we extract up to the third brew generously. By steeping at a low temperature for a longer time initially, and then at higher temperatures for shorter times for the second and third brews, you can fully experience the appropriate astringency, umami, and aroma.
Ingredients
- Tea leaves "010 Fukumidori" 4g
- Hot water (first brew) 70°C 120ml
- Hot water (second brew) 80°C 120ml
- Hot water (third brew) 100°C 60ml
Brewing Method
[1] Put three brews in a thermos
Put tea leaves in a teapot, pour 120ml of 70°C water, steep for 1 minute 20 seconds, then pour into an insulated thermos. For the second brew, steep 120ml of 80°C water for 15 seconds, and for the third brew, steep 60ml of 100°C water for 10 seconds before pouring into the thermos.
[2] Enjoy while listening to rakugo
During a driving break, pour from the thermos and slowly savor the tea.
Listen to a rakugo performance by your favorite storyteller while driving. You might chuckle or shed a tear. Your usual drive might become much more enjoyable. After enjoying for a while, take a sip of warm tea. The elegant aroma and pleasant bitterness of "010 Fukumidori" will make you feel relaxed from within.
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This recipe is featured in "TOKYO TEA JOURNAL" VOL.21. You can view the special feature of VOL.21 themed "Falling in Love with 'Humanity' through Rakugo" from here.