Okayama Prefecture, known as the "Fruit Kingdom," welcomes a variety of delicious fruits such as white peaches and muscats during the summer season.
Do you know about the event held during the summer where you can indulge in seasonal fresh fruits?
It's called "Kurashiki Afternoon Tea."
The event, which started in 2015, has gradually seen an increase in participating stores, along with an increase in visitors from outside the prefecture. However, the event organized by the government ended in March 2020.
With a strong desire to "continue Kurashiki Afternoon Tea and invigorate the community," the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea Executive Committee, centered around participating stores, was established.
To continue the event, they challenged crowdfunding and decided to continue with the support of many people.
This article introduces the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea at "Sora to Hana no Oka Sainen Cafe Pango-no" located in Tamashima, and the thoughts of Miki Morita, the chairperson of the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea Executive Committee, after the crowdfunding.
Please check the following article for the latest information.
About Kurashiki Afternoon Tea
The elegant tea party "Afternoon Tea," where you enjoy light meals and sweets along with tea, is arranged in a Kurashiki style as "Kurashiki Afternoon Tea."
Kurashiki Afternoon Tea is held twice a year.
Using seasonal specialty fruits from Kurashiki and Okayama, in summer, they offer "peaches" or "grapes," and in winter, "strawberries."
With the desire for visitors to spend a relaxing time in Kurashiki, drinks are provided as "2 cups included or free refills or served in a pot."
This event is filled with the store's commitment and Kurashiki's uniqueness.
Transition from government to private management, and the first Kurashiki Afternoon Tea
Although it faced a crisis of ending once, it was decided to continue due to the support and encouragement from fans.
The Kurashiki Afternoon Tea held in the summer of 2020 had the following schedule.
| Event Period | July 20, 2020 - September 30, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Number of Participating Stores | 23 stores |
| Price (including tax) | 1,650 yen - 5,700 yen |
Reservations are required for all.
▼ The list of participating stores is as follows.
For detailed information about participating stores and reservation times, please check the official website of Kurashiki Afternoon Tea.
I visited one of the participating stores, "Sora to Hana no Oka Sainen Cafe Pango-no" in Tamashima, so I will introduce it.
Kurashiki Afternoon Tea at "Sora to Hana no Oka Sainen Cafe Pango-no"
Located on a hill surrounded by peach orchards in Tamashima, Kurashiki City, is "Sora to Hana no Oka Sainen Cafe Pango-no" (hereafter referred to as Pango-no).
The name "Pango-no" means "slowly" in the Nyanja language of Zambia.
As a measure against the novel coronavirus, the tables have been enlarged by 50 centimeters compared to before.
You can enjoy "Kurashiki Afternoon Tea" in an open space while feeling the natural air.
Details of Pango-no's 2020 summer Kurashiki Afternoon Tea "Sainen Cafe Afternoon Tea Set" are as follows.
| Serving Time | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Last order at 2:00 PM) |
|---|---|
| Price | 1,650 yen |
| Reservation | Required (by the morning of the same day) |
| Phone Number | 086-525-1270 |
| Closed | Monday |
If you make a reservation on the morning of the day, it's fine to go to the store for lunch.
A side dish plate using plenty of freshly grown vegetables
The side dish plate features a salad made with plenty of homegrown vegetables, hot sandwiches, carpaccio, soup, and a total of 10 dishes!
An experiential herbal tea where you can blend your favorite herbs
The drink includes a homegrown herbal tea and one other drink.
I blended the sweet herb "stevia" and the calming "chamomile." It had a sweet apple-like aroma, making it easy to drink and providing a moment of relaxation.
It's also fun to combine the 8 types of homegrown herbs to find your favorite flavor.
Carpaccio of fish caught in the Seto Inland Sea and fresh vegetables from the home garden
Pango-no's recommendation is the carpaccio made with fish caught in Yorishima, Tamashima.
On the day of the interview, they served carpaccio made with "Hira" and "Suzuki."
"Hira" is a fish with many bones, making it difficult to fillet, but the owner, Mr. Machida, skillfully prepared it for serving.
The combination of the homemade sauce with a moderate acidity and the crunchy texture of the fresh fish is excellent!
When Pango-no first participated in Kurashiki Afternoon Tea in 2016, the menu was mainly focused on desserts.
However, due to requests from customers wanting to eat more savory dishes, the ratio changed to 60% savory and 40% dessert.
Most of the vegetables are harvested from their own garden.
The stand for the desserts is also handmade, filled with warmth.
About the first harvest of peaches grown with care from seedlings at Pango-no
▲ The Shimizu white peaches from Pango-no, planted from seedlings in 2017 and harvested for the first time in 2020.
Before 2020, they used purchased peaches, but with the desire for customers to "eat sweeter, fully ripe peaches," they started planting peach seedlings and began cultivation.
They planted about 20 trees of 6 varieties of peaches, ensuring that they could harvest all types of peaches during the peach season.
The peaches served on the day of the interview were Shimizu White Peaches, which are in season from late July to early August.
Peaches are difficult to cultivate, requiring careful pruning, the application of disinfectants, and bagging, which takes a lot of time and effort. There were times when the carefully grown peaches were eaten by crows.
After overcoming various hardships, the peaches that were allowed to fully ripen on the tree can only be tasted here, where they are homegrown.
You will be surprised by the melting texture and the rich sweetness packed in the juice!
After Shimizu White Peaches, you can enjoy Shirarei, and finally, the Golden Peach. Desserts made with homegrown peaches will be available until early September.
“If you want to relax in nature, please come,” said the owner, Machida.
You can also have lunch or coffee with your dog.
How about visiting “Pango~no,” an open space that does not feel crowded, to experience something out of the ordinary?
A Kurashiki Afternoon Tea that fills both your stomach and heart.
I spoke with Miki Morita, the chairperson of the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea Executive Committee, about the challenges faced during the crowdfunding campaign and what lies ahead.
Data on Kurashiki Afternoon Tea
| Name | Kurashiki Afternoon Tea |
|---|---|
| Dates | July 20, 2020 - September 30, 2020 |
| Location | Within Kurashiki City |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | 1,650 yen - 5,700 yen (including tax) *Varies by store |
| Website | Kurashiki Afternoon Tea |
