One signature of Springtime is the bloom of cherry blossoms. Festivals in Japan and the United States, Canada and Europe are usually planned around the sensory experience of enjoying these beautiful little pink flowers. This year, in light of the current Coronavirus pandemic and mandated self-quarantine, several events worldwide have been canceled. However, ITO EN and Tea Forte offer ways to celebrate the cherry blossoms of spring inside the home with their cherry blossom teas, which will bring the essence of the festivals into teacups.
ITO EN’s Sakura Matsuri
ITO EN offers its Sakura Matsuri, which is a loose-leaf blend of green tea, with peppermint, rose petals and cherry blossom petals. It is a limited-edition blend that comes out only during spring’s cherry blossom season. “Sakura Matsuri” translates to “Cherry Blossom Festival” in Japanese.
“With so many working remotely and sheltering at home now, bringing the spirit and taste of Spring can be uplifting during these challenging times,” said Rona Tison, Executive Vice President of Corporate Relations & PR. “In Japan, cherry blossoms represent a time of renewal and the fleeting nature of life.”
Tison added, “The beautiful blossoms are reminder of the fragility and beauty of life. Flower viewing started in the Heian period (794-1185) to enjoy admiring the cherry blossoms with family, friends and colleagues.”
Sakura Matsuri was initially offered by ITO EN a couple of years ago and was brought back by popular demand. It will be available while supplies last. Visit ITOEN.com to order.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. was cancelled due to COVID-19, but the festival’s website offers a Virtual Festival.
The Trust for the National Mall in Washington, D.C. has partnered with EarthCam to provide a live Bloom Cam, which shows cherry blossoms during peak bloom.
Tea Forte’s Hanami Collection
Tea Forte offers its Cherry Blossom Hanami Tea, which is named after Japan’s annual cherry blossom festival. The blend of green tea, tart cherries and rose petals also won a silver medal in the 2018 Global Tea Championship.
“Hanami” is the Japanese word for the custom of enjoying seasonal flowers.
Tea Forte makes it easy to practice Hanami at home for every type of tea enthusiast as the light, floral, fruity blend is available in loose-leaf cannisters, single steeps packets, and pyramid tea infusers. It is also the perfect gift of the season in all of these formats.
Due to the great demand for and positive reviews of this tea, the company offers Cherry Blossom Hanami Tea year-round.
Visit TeaForte.com for more details.