Cherry Blossom Season

Posted on | April 26, 2010 | 12 Comments

Okay, this isn’t book-related but who can resist a gratuitous photograph of a cupcake? Tanabata’s Hello Japan! mini-challenge this month was to celebrate sakura season in some way. For as long as I can remember, I have loved cherry blossom; I love its delicacy, its vibrancy and its transitory nature; whether it be the blossom itself or its design, I cannot get enough of it. There are cherry blossom trees on the street that I live on and I do love when it flourishes and symbolises spring.

I haven’t managed hanami this year; I had hoped especially to manage to Kensington Gardens to see the cherry blossom trees in bloom but it wasn’t to be (and, currently still in Glasgow, I couldn’t begin to tell you where the closest cherry tree would be…) Instead I went off-the-beaten track a little completing the sakura season mini-challenge by taking advantage of the seasonal celebration by Selfridges. The department store spotlighted all things Japanese for two weeks during April in honour of cherry blossom season and the food hall and concession stands were heavily-stocked with Japanese produce with staff, some in kimono, offering tasters and demonstrations. I limited myself to confectionary only (I love Japanese cuisine so it involved much restraint) and came away with the cherry blossom-inspired cupcake photographed above from Lola’s, green tea (matcha) flavoured jelly beans from Jelly Belly, and a strawberry and wasabi macaron from Pierre Hermé. All of my edible delights were delectable and whilst I had hoped the cupcake had more obviously cherry blossom icing, the icing itself was a delicious and rosewater infused, and the vanilla sponge light and fluffy. This was a novel and very satisfying way to celebrate cherry blossom season and I would do it again next year (perhaps a picnic of the foods whilst viewing the cherry blossom in the park).

Category: Challenges
Tags: Hello Japan

Comments

12 Responses to “Cherry Blossom Season”

Verity
April 26th, 2010 @ 12:13 pm

That sounds wonderful Claire! We have a beautiful cherry tree blossoming in the house over the road from us – its pink petals really cheer up my dinner times!
vivienne
April 26th, 2010 @ 1:15 pm

You have definitely opened my eyes. I didn’t realise they celebrated cherry blossom season. It sounds so beautiful.
Sakura
April 26th, 2010 @ 1:43 pm

I’ve tried Pierre Herme’s strawberry and balsamic vinegar macaron which was tasty but not the wasabi. Lovely cupcake!
tea lady (the glittering burn)
April 26th, 2010 @ 5:27 pm

I love the Meadows in Edinburgh when the paths across it are festooned with blossoms.

At work we received this lovely card from a customer in Japan who informed us that it was cherry blossom season: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_maJwyHkG4QA/S8M1zcelDfI/AAAAAAAAAXM/cAuC4QHWsqg/s1600/irie.jpg
tea lady (the glittering burn)
April 26th, 2010 @ 5:29 pm

Oh dear, you may have to remove that link as it is encroaching upon your blogroll. So sorry!
Bloomsbury Bell
April 27th, 2010 @ 5:13 pm

I adore blossom and the trees in my local park are laden with it.
That cupcake looks amazing – I must do some baking this weekend, although my cakes do not look as good as that!
Shelley
April 27th, 2010 @ 6:04 pm

I like your new home, and that picture makes me very hungry.

Yours in the 30′s challenge!
Simon (Savidge Reads)
April 28th, 2010 @ 12:08 pm

I had never heard of cherry blossom season before, you learn something new every day. Anything Jelly Belly based instantly gets my attention. I think I must be a bit weird as I am not a fan of cupcakes, I get sweeted out, yet I could happily eat ten tonnes of Jelly Belly – weird.
Sophie
April 28th, 2010 @ 2:41 pm

Oh, that cupcake is so pretty! I can’t wait to try Pierre Herme next time I’m in London. Cherry blossoms are so pretty — there have been some lovely ones on display here in Oxford.
Gnoe (on Graasland)
April 29th, 2010 @ 2:05 pm

OMG that looks so good! And your description of it… *drool* It’s wonderful that Selfridges had a Japan/cherry blossom theme for 2 whole weeks! Can’t help feeling a bit envious
tanabata
May 4th, 2010 @ 8:58 am

Yum! More gratuitous photos of cupcakes, please!
How fun that Selfridges had that Japan theme! And can you believe that I’ve never had a macaron, never mind a Japanese-flavoured one? I really must rectify that someday sooon.
Suzanne
October 3rd, 2010 @ 2:46 pm

I was searching through Google doing research for a blog when i came across this article and I found it very informative and interesting even though it wasn’t exactly what I was looking for! The cupcake pictured here looks spectacular! Thanks Suzanne xx