Recipe: Sakura Steamer

sakura steamer pot

Celebrate Hanami with a Sakura Steamer

It’s Hanami time (flower viewing) in Japan and the season for all things sakura flavoured.  It’s not something that has travelled to the West, although I’m sure we all love cherry blossom (I’ve even got a tattoo I like them that much!).  Sakura time means that Starbucks etc create sakura inspired flavours on their menu, or you can buy ice cream, sweets, anything that can be flavoured will be flavoured with sakura.

sakura tokyo
Sakura in Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Tokyo

I bought my preserved sakura in Japan when we were there last year, however, you can get them online such as at Sous Chef  As this doesn’t have any real coffee in it, or caffeine, this is technically a steamer.  This recipe is easy to make if somewhat time-consuming. All you need is some preserved sakura, hot water and hot milk.

Start by assembling your materials.

Cups for serving
bowl for soaking the sakura
strainer
milk frother or a pot for heating milk
teapot to make sakura tea

sakura steamer raw

Pick out 6-8 flower heads and place approx 2 tablespoons of hot water on top of the flowers in a bowl.

soaked sakura

Let the flowers soak for around a minute to remove the salt.  Remove the flowers and chop roughly, stalks and all.

sakura teapot

Add the chopped flowers to a teapot, add hot water and soak for between 30-60 minutes.

sakura water

 

Strain the blossom from the water and reheat the tea.  Add your now reheated tea to your drinking cups. Heat up some milk and add to the cups.

sakura steamer

 

Recipe: Sakura Steamer

Ingredients
  

  • Serves 2
  • 6-8 preserved sakura flowers
  • 240 ml boiling water
  • 240 ml milk

Instructions
 

  • Boil water.
  • Place the preserved sakura in a small bowl and add 2tbsp of the water to the bowl.
  • Let sakura steep for 1 minute to remove the salt.
  • Remove the flowers from the bowl.
  • Chop the sakura roughly.
  • Place flowers in a bowl or teapot and cover with the rest of the hot water.
  • Let the flowers soak for 30-60 minutes.
  • Strain the pulp.
  • Reheat the sakura water.
  • Pour into two cups or tea bowls.
  • Heat milk and add to the tea mix.


 

sakura steamer pinterest image




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Emma

Emma

Hello!

I am Emma and with my husband Mark write Foodie Explorers, which is a food and travel website.

I am a member of the Guild of Food Writers and British Guild of Travel Writers.

We have a wide range of judging experience covering products, hotels and have judged, for example, for Great Taste Awards and Scottish Baker of the Year.

Along the way Mark gained WSET Level 2 in Wine and I have WSET Level 2 in Spirits as well as picking up an award with The Scotsman Food and Drink Awards.    

Usually I can be found sleeping beside a cat.

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