When it comes to tea in shojo manga from the 70s and 80s, it's always black tea. When girls share gossip, talk about love, or confide their worries, they're often depicted with fragrant black tea and small sweets like cookies. In Vol.30 of the tea subscription "TOKYO TEA JOURNAL" titled "Tea and Manga," we explored the effects of tea appearances in manga and introduced manga featuring tea. This time, we're presenting tea recipes alongside illustrations reminiscent of "shojo manga" scenes. The "Earl Grey Tea" sold by Senchado Tokyo blends bergamot, the classic Earl Grey flavor, with "Saemidori," known for its refined taste. Earl Grey, scented with bergamot that combines citrusy freshness and floral elegance, is the perfect cup for a tea party inspired by a scene from a shojo manga.
A Girly Tea Party with "Earl Grey Tea"
The rich umami of "Saemidori" complements the Earl Grey aroma, creating an elegant flavor. While the recipe is simple, careful brewing enhances both taste and aroma significantly.
Ingredients
Brewing Method
【1】Warm the cup and brew the first infusion
Pour boiling water into the cup to warm it. Cool the water to 80°C, then pour 120ml into the teapot with the tea leaves and steep for 1 minute.
【2】Brew the second infusion
Discard the water from the cup and pour in the tea. Add 120ml of 80°C water to the teapot, steep for 10 seconds, then pour into the cup to complete.
According to Rika Fukuda's food theory, "drinking tea signals a moment of rest." This Earl Grey blend, with its pleasant aroma and relaxing effect, is perfect for when you need a break. "Saemidori," carefully cultivated on the Shirasu plateau in Kyushu, has a gentle umami that pairs well with both Japanese and Western sweets. When blended with the floral-scented Earl Grey, it can elevate even a simple cookie tea party to something more elegant. This recipe is featured in Vol.30 of the tea subscription "TOKYO TEA JOURNAL".
