celebrate the cherry blossoms
Cherry Blossom trees are blooming, which not only means that spring is in full swing, but also that a festival celebrating their beautiful blossoms is taking place at this very moment. The National Cherry Blossom Festival falls between March 28th and April 12th in Washington D.C. and,
annually commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington, honoring the lasting friendship between the United States and Japan and celebrating the continued close relationship between our two cultures.
Considering that the Japanese culture celebrates events (such this festival) with a traditional tea party, why not throw a tea party picnic out amongst the cherry blossom (or other flowering) trees. Grab a blanket, gather some friends and fill a thermos with a sweet cherry blend in honor of the cherry blossoms.
I recommend the Sour Cherry Serenade, a fabulous blend of black and green tea along with hibiscus blossoms, apple bits, orange peel, safflower blossom, and of course-the star of the show-sour cherries.
Another cherry choice: Japanese Wild Cherry Flavored Green Tea. I love the simplicity of this tea as it features Sencha green tea, with bits of candied cherries and rose petals.
Happy Tea Party-ing!