Any coffee connoisseurs out there? Any going to Japan? When one thinks of hot drinks in Japan, one often thinks of tea first. But it turns out there’s actually a thriving coffee scene in Kyoto.
Over the last decade or so, a number of owner-operated coffee shops have opened up in Kyoto, which is known as the cultural center of Japan. These coffee shops are serious about their coffee, and serious about the interior design and atmosphere within their shops. Many have nice views and elaborate decor. One of the owners says that to survive in the new Kyoto coffee scene, you need to show a lot of originality. And delicious coffee.
For those more interested in tea, I came across this article about mastering the art of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. In it, I learned that a good loud slurp at the end of your bowl of tea is key to showing the host you were happy with it. A good tea ceremony guest also holds the tea bowl correctly and takes time to examine it. All traditional tea ceremony etiquette stems from the Zen Buddhist concepts of harmony, tranquility, respect and purity.
Sometimes tea—and coffee, for that matter—are much more than just a hot drink.
Photo: JoshBerglund19 via Flickr