Mugicha (Roasted barley tea)

This summer is very sweltering hot. We want to drink a lot of cold beverages in such hot summer.

I think Japanese like tea. There are some kinds of Japanese tea in Japan. You might think we drink cold green tea 緑茶 in summer. Certainly a lot of bottle of cold green tea are sold at supermarket. I buy it and drink at office to cool down. However, we usually drink another special tea in summer, mugicha 麦茶 at home. I keep mugicha in refrigerator and can drink anytime. A cup of mugicha is so nice to drink after taking a bath or at the time to come home.

Mugicha is aromatic and tasty. Also it is so healthy. Mugicha is suitable for Japanese sweet cakes. When I drink cold mugicha, I feel Japanese summer.

Takoyaki たこ焼き

Paul of octopus is a topic during world cup 2010 in Japan. It is surprising talent (Is it a coincidence?)

Octopus 蛸 is one of well-known ingredients in Japan. We eat some mollusks, octopus or squid for traditional Japanese food.

Takoyaki たこやき is very popular food for us. Originally it is a food of Osaka, west area (Kansai area) in Japan. It is eaten in Tokyo now. (I think culture of west and east, Osaka and Tokyo, is very different.)

Takoyaki is a grilled dumpling and small piece of boiled octopus (tako). It is very Japanese worcestershire sauce, mayonnaise, a piece of dried bonito (Katsuobishi), and dried green laver (aonori) are put on takoyaki. Combination of these flavoring is excellent. *Aonori あおのり is one of seaweed.

When I was a child, takoyaki didn't prevailed in Tokyo. I had never eaten it. However we can eat anywhere in Japan now.

If you visit Osaka, you must try to eat Takoyaki and Oconomiyaki. They become typical Japanese cuisine.