Friday food treat: Tempura

Tempura2

Tempura is a Japanese dish of battered and deep fried seafood and/or vegetables. The word tempura refers to the technique of battering and frying. However, originally the Japanese fried food without batter. Portuguese influences changed that.

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Understanding Japanese etiquette

Photo credit - Ta Ching Chen via unsplash.com

Photo credit – Ta Ching Chen via unsplash.com

The Japanese people display grace and courtesy towards others. They are helpful and respectful and this is ingrained in their culture. As an outsider, this can sometimes present challenges – as it has for us recently.

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Friday food treat: Soba noodles

 

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There are many kinds of noodles available in Japan. One such variety is soba noodles. These are made of buckwheat flour and resemble spaghetti in terms of thickness. Soba noodles are used in various hot and cold dishes. 

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The secret to better productivity

Photo credit - Glenn Carstens-Peters via unsplash.com

Photo credit – Glenn Carstens-Peters via unsplash.com

Productivity in a time of information overload can be challenging. It is easy to succumb to the temptations of overindulging in information. The truth is that multi-tasking is not the answer. So, what is?

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Thoughts about the fragility of life …

Cherry blossoms

The significance of the cherry blossom tree in Japanese culture goes back hundreds of years. In their country, the cherry blossom represents the fragility and the beauty of life. It’s a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful but that it is also tragically short.
~ Homaru Cantu

How to have a hanami party in Japan and obey the rules!

Hanami parties in the grounds of Yasaka-jinja shrine

Hanami parties in the grounds of Yasaka-jinja shrine, Kyoto

April is cherry blossom time in Japan. Even though we are a little late for the peak of the season, it is a time when it seems that all of Japan is out enjoying the spectacle of the blooms. They do this by having “hanami” parties – food and drinks under a cherry tree. Of course, such an event would not be complete with its own etiquette and manners.

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Friday food treat: Japanese beer

Beer tasting at Sapporo Beer Museum

Beer tasting at Sapporo Beer Museum

Sapporo is the home of one of Japan’s iconic beers. Sapporo beer is easily identified by the star on its label. The star has featured in its label since 1869. Not only is Sapporo a popular beer, it has played an important part in the economy of Hokkaido.

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