Only in Japan: Sparkling Soy Water

Yes, it's a brand new series!

Never thought that would happen, did you.

Anyway, today's highlight is:

SPARKLING SOY WATER!

Tasting notes: Pale white with a constant stream of delicate bubbles. Clear nose, smell of wet soy beans. The rich taste of soy milk which hits the palate at the first sip is surprisingly lifted by the fizziness and slight acidity from the carbonation process. The result is an oddly refreshing thick fizzy soymilk.

Food culture 101: 桑の実 (Kuwa no mi)

This is no ordinary tree.

This is an alien infested tree.

These little critters spawn in vast numbers, feeding on the nutrients from the tree's bark. The pale green ones are the hatchlings, which undergoes a gradual metamorphosis into adulthood through a colourful cycle of pink hue to scarlet red, and gradually evolving into a brackish maroon hue.

Luckily for humanity, caterpillars have an appetite for these alien spawn and often comes to humanity's rescue. Thank you, little brave caterpillar. 

*No aliens were harmed in the photography process. A few were eaten, and they tasted quite yummy. It was as we were told, 苺より甘い. You've got access to google translator, go look it up.

Food culture 101: とりわさ (Toriwasa)

Toriwasa is a delicacy often consumed in the Kagoshima Prefecture (...in Kyushu...that south western island in Japan where tonkotsu ramen comes from....).

Exhibit A: Toriwasa

You would be forgiven for thinking this was a picture of Ootoro (aka fatty tuna). Unlike Ootoro, Toriwasa always comes slightly seared on the outside, much like seared sashimi. It has a relatively firm texture, and a tender melt in your mouth quality. And as for the taste, well, it tastes just like chicken. Quite expected really, since this is the legendary chicken sashimi!

Yes, what you see (and yours truly has consumed) is seared raw chicken.

At this point, some readers will contort their faces in disgust and shout "Salmonella!" in protest.

Apart from the obvious fact that salmonella comes from salmon, Toriwasa is on the whole perfectly safe due to its preparation.

When the chicken is ready for consumption, the farmer takes up a big flame thrower and immolates the fowl while it is sleeping until the feathers are singed and the meat is just that little bit charred on the outside. The combination of burning fat and feathers gives off a nice smoky aroma which flavours the chicken, and also kills 99.9% of bacteria in the process.

Exhibit B: Flame thrower used in the preparation of Toriwasa

So for all those still in doubt, rest assured, Toriwasa is generally safe for consumption:

Enjoy with some soy sauce/ponzu and garlic/ginger

Disclaimer: Eating raw chicken is generally a bad idea. Professional advice should be sought prior to the consumption of raw meats.

Culture 101: Lesson 2 - Dragonfire

Disclaimer: The following stunts were performed by professional ninja. Any attempt at replicating these stunts is bound to result in missing limbs, at which point a ninja will materialise before you and slap you across the face with assorted sashimi. You have been warned.

Once a year, along a stretch of beach in near Gamagori, an ancient ninja fire ritual is performed to bring prosperity to the land using dragonfire (a magical fire derived from a dragon's tooth which gives off light but not heat). 

You rightly observe that there is no such thing as a dragon.

Indeed, the move away from the gold standard in the recent millennia has made it tough for dragons to hoard treasure and hence afford a comfortable life (share certificates and bonds caught fire too easily). As such, the frustrated dragons have decided to melt the polar ice caps instead in their effort to destroy humanity. And you thought it was due to global warming... 

I digress. 

So the ninja are in possession of some dragonfire which they use to put on a spectacular show:

Step 1: Igniting of the dragonfire through mystical ninja means.

Step 2: Summoning of the shadow clones - "Kage bunshin no Jutsu!"

 When the Shadow Clones have been sacrificed to produce a nice big flame, ancient ritual poses are performed.

Step 3: Ancient Ritual Poses

"Don't I look cool holding burning stuff" pose

"Run away, it's too hot! Oww!! Oww!!" pose

"Raindrops (of fire) keep falling on my head" pose

"Fire in (or rather, coming out of) the hole!" pose (far left)

Step 4: Vanishing to the dragon realm to bring back good fortune

Now you see me (far right)

Now you can't, cause I've been engulfed by flames!!
Don't worry, I'm a professional ninja, so I'll be OK. 

Nope, you still can't see me because of the smoke.

I bet you can't see me, can you?

Cause I've vanished to the dragon realm.... ta daa!!!

Step 5: Coming back from the dragon realm

Run away from the dragon.... do another ancient ritual pose... and WARP!

I've just reappeared in the bucket of water to cool off my singed feet...
A ninja's life is hard work. 

Step 6: Celebrate the safe return from the dragon realm with more ninja tricks

See me shoot stuff from my hands!

and make fire burst forth from the ground! 

So there you have it, Dragonfire night (more commonly known as the Tezutsu Fireworks Festival, which do not actually involve ninjas or dragons).

Scenery 101: Gomangoku Fuji

A wisteria trellis near Okazaki Castle which is currently in full bloom.

Which photo do you like best?

Food culture 101: 竹の子 (Bamboo shoots)

You may remember reading about Bamboo shoots in Recipes 101:  Lesson 2 http://zackstudios.blogspot.com/2011/04/recipes-101-lesson-2-bamboo-shoots.html

Perhaps you've been inspired to try the recipes out yourself. Maybe you're thinking

"How do I get myself some bamboo shoots?"

Well, here's how:

Step 1: Find your local bamboo forest (and make sure you are allowed to forage there)

Step 2: Find the poor baby bamboo shoot that hasn't had a chance to lead a long and happy life.
After that fleeting moment of guilt about eating the bamboo's young, wrench it up from the ground.

(No, not that long green stalk. You can't eat that. No, not the brown things. Those are dead leaves.
Yes, that one in the middle of the photo.)  

Step 3: Get other people to hand over their bamboo shoots should you not manage to locate any.
The blog will look less empty that way.

Step 4: Take a close up, artistic picture of the bamboo shoots. That way, they will look more impressive when they prove too small for actual consumption.