A Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea

Please join me

for a

Cherry Blossom Festival inspired tea.

Each year Cherry Blossom Festivals take place throughout the world. In the United States the first festival took place in 1912 with the gift of 3,000 trees to Washington D.C. from the mayor of Tokyo. The gift along with subsequent annual celebrations has honored the friendship between the U.S. and Japan. Today is the final day of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. 
Were you able to attend a local festival? 
Unfortunately I wasn't so I decided to host this afternoon tea.

Here's the tablescape.

 It's a pretty hazy humid day so not ideal for photo taking. Where are you sun?

Of course, cherry blossoms should be the centerpiece. We had an early bloom this year in February. No more blossom branches in our neighborhood nor at the Farmers' Market. The faux cherry blossom branches at JoAnns were disappointing; so I'm sharing these beautiful orchids from my cousin's garden. Their scent is wonderful and they've already lasted a week. I was so enamored with these orchids at Easter that my cousin gave them to me.

Instead of a featured teacup this week, there is a bowl and plate set from Japan. These four sets are the last items my late great aunt passed on to me. They have never been used and were in a Gumps department store bag. Gumps is a high end home decor and jewelry store in San Francisco. I wonder if they were purchased there or she just placed them in that bag. (I have always been interested in the Japanese tea ceremony and would love to travel to Kyoto one day and visit the pagodas.)


The texture and blue glaze is just amazing and each piece is unique.  I'm curious to know more about their age and where specifically were they produced.

Please share any information you may have... (thanks!)

Each piece's back stamp with traditional (old) Japanese characters

The teacups we are using are from my Crate and Barrel dish set. The pattern is Epoch Line and they were made in Japan.

Well certainly not as beloved as my English teacups, the minimal look of these cups goes well with this particular tea party. 

Each place setting has a chopstick rest.

These dog and cat chopstick rests were gifts from a visiting colleague from Japan.

Today we will be drinking Genmai-cha by Yamamotoyama. This is my absolute favorite green tea! In addition to green tea, genmai-cha has toasted rice in it. I love its nutty flavor. 

Today's Afternoon Tea Menu

Miso Soup

Cucumber Salad (recipe below)

Dragon Rolls, Spider Rolls and California Rolls

Dessert: Mochi (sticky rice cake)

Genmai-cha Tea

I really enjoyed the freshness of this Japanese Cucumber Salad.
Click here for the recipe. It's simple to make and a salad that I should include during the summer months with my teas.

Thank you for joining me today...

I will leave you with a gorgeous cherry blossom tree that is in my parking lot at work. This photo was taken on February 18.

 I will be joining the following parties:

Pink Saturday
Ruth's Antiques and Teacups
Bernideen's Friends Sharing Tea
Martha's Favorites