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| Japanese "Amuse-Bouche" |
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| - Foods to Amuse the Mouth |
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| Main Topic |
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| Seasonal Topics & Items |
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| Dear Sir and Madam, |
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| We at Hibiki-an THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your continued patronage and support.
We are pleased to offer useful information for your healthy life and continued
enjoyment of Japanese green tea. In this issue, we talk about 'Japanese Amuse-Bouche (Foods to Amuse the Mouth)'. |
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Japanese "Amuse-Bouche" (Foods to Amuse the Mouth)
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Traditional Japanese Snacks / Candy pair beautifully with any kind of Japanese tea. Like the French "Amuse-Bouche" their purpose is to amuse the mouth or palate, in this case, while drinking green tea. Since 16th century Japan, they have been refined and improved upon over hundreds of years to create absolute harmony of flavor between the green tea and the delicious sweet confection or savory snack. Such as the feeling you get when you have green tea and sushi together, your palate understands that this is an ideal match of flavor.
Artisans began development of Japanese tea ceremony snacks and candy in the 16th century under advisement by Rikyu Sen. Before that time, snacks and candy were only used for religious offering at the altar. Rules of the Japanese tea ceremony governed that Matcha should be served with confections or candy because Matcha at that time was more bitter than high quality Matcha of today. The ingredients were very precious, so that their addition to the tea ceremony contributed to the depth of pleasure and noble ambience. Traditional Japanese confections and candy were usually made from sugar, rice and rice syrup, wheat, and azuki or soy beans, by reasons of historic context. It was not until after the 20th century that egg and milk were used in Japanese confections. Green tea connoisseurs and artisans have continually strived to perfect the art of the tea ceremony snack so that it is the ideal complement in flavor to green tea.
Tea ceremony had strictly required expressing the beauty of nature or four seasons of Japan in confections. The intricate, colorful, and stunningly beautiful confections were created by skilled craftsmen and ingredients were all extremely rare and precious at that time. Tea ceremony confections including OHIGASHI were also called artifice confection and were available only to lords, affluent samurai, and prosperous merchants. More reasonable snacks and candy for the public were developed over time. Like the snacks for nobility, snacks for everyday folk were developed in Kyoto too, the heartland of tea ceremony, and these special snacks along with green tea from Kyoto have always held a special place in the hearts of all Japanese people.
Some of our premium snacks and candies, follow traditional thought and roles, and are made by traditional methods, taking a great deal of time and using only carefully selected ingredients. To develop them, we, Hibiki-an, partner with the best artisans in Kyoto who are willing to make special efforts.
Experience the absolute harmony between green tea and the delicious sweet confection or savory snack - your mouth will understand that this is an ideal match of flavor. |
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| Snacks and candy offered on the altar around the 10th to 12th century |
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| Japanese snacks and candy were also affected by Portuguese Spanish confections brought by missionaries in the 15th to 16th century. |
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| Precious snacks and candy were also enjoyed at affluent samurai households. |
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| Tea ceremony enormously contributed to the development of Japanese snacks and candy. Confections in this picture are for tea ceremony in the motif of fruits in autumn seasons. |
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| Confections of this picture is for tea ceremony in summer season. It reminds us of a cool atmosphere. |
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| OHIGASHI for tea ceremony in May |
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| Confections for tea ceremony in the motif of peony. |
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| Confections for tea ceremony in spring season |
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| Confections for tea ceremony in autumn |
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| Japanese Snacks / Candy Shopping category: click here |
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[Limited] Snacks and Candy (Winter) |
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We at Hibiki-an added eight Japanese confectioneries which are all only
available in winter. Our carefully selected items for winter confections
amuse your mouth very much, and perfectly match with Japanese green tea.
GOMA MOCHI rice cake and plum glace are unique texture. Japanese traditional
confection of KURI YOHKAN also provide their original flavor. KUZU NO SATO,
KINAKO Soft, KINTOKI IMO Chips, KUROMAME BOLO, and WASANBON CHIDORI have
light texture and its aroma linger in your mouth. Rich flavor and mellow
aroma of YUZU Peel with chocolate, Matcha chocolate and RUBIA lingers on
the palate and has a lovely finish.
We are certain that they will all completely please your taste bud. Please take a look! |
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Winter Confections |
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Continued Sales |
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| Japanese Snacks / Candy Shopping category: click here |
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| Are you enjoying your green moments? Hibiki-an encourages those who love to drink green tea. If you have any requests or questions regarding our teas or services, please don't hesitate to contact us. We sincerely hope that you enjoy genuine Hibiki-an Japanese green tea direct to you from Kyoto, Japan. |
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| Sincerely yours, |
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| Atsushi Yasui |
Seasonal Topics & Items
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[Limited] Competition Grade Tea / Blended Sencha Items |
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| Competition Grade Tea is limited edition of just 650 packages each and Blended Sencha is limited edition of just 850 packages each ONLY AVAILABLE this winter season.
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Competition Grade Tea |
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[Limited] Competition Grade Gyokuro Pinnacle (30g/1.06oz): US$38.00
(Now Available: limited edition of 650 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this winter season)
This Competition Grade Gyokuro Pinnacle has an excellent, deeply mellow taste. The National Tea Competition is held in order to improve Japanese tea agricultural and manufacturing techniques, and to congratulate and encourage those that have produced outstanding tea... |
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[Limited] Competition Grade Sencha Pinnacle (40g/1.41oz): US$30.00
(Now Available: limited edition of 650 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this winter season)
Competition Grade Sencha Pinnacle is available only at the National Tea Fair, attended by tea connoisseurs and those within the Japanese green tea industry. This fine green tea has an excellent, deeply mellow taste... |
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[Limited] Competition Grade Matcha Pinnacle (20g/0.71oz): US$46.00
(Now Available: limited edition of 650 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this winter season)
This Competition Grade Matcha Pinnacle has an excellent, deeply mellow taste. The National Tea Competition is held several times a year in Japan. Sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and attended by executives of the Japanese tea industry... |
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[Limited] Competition Grade Matcha Pinnacle Refill (60g/2.12oz): US$115.00
(Now Available: limited edition of 650 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this winter season)
This Competition Grade Matcha Premium Refill package is an excellent value. The price is actually discounted 17%. This has an excellent, deeply mellow taste. The National Tea Competition is held several times a year in Japan. Sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries... |
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Blended Sencha |
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[Limited] Blended Sencha Premium (80g/2.82oz): US$20.00
(Now Available: limited edition of 850 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this winter season)
Blended Sencha Premium is a blend of Sencha and Gyokuro. This tea is composed of four breeds of green tea: Kanayamidori, Sayamakaori, Yabukita, and Okumidori... |
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[New Year's Tea] Golden Celebration Tea |
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The combination of green tea with gold flakes makes a beautiful presentation. Gold is an ancient symbol of prosperity, and adds significance to any special occasion.
At Hibiki-an, we offer Golden Celebration Gyokuro and also Golden Celebration Matcha. Golden Celebration teas are also a perfect gift for any special occasion. It is a special moment, full of happiness and hope for the future.
Please sprinkle the gold flakes over each cup of tea after brewing or each bowl of Matcha after preparing the Matcha. The smooth flavor of Gyokuro or Matcha creates a peaceful atmosphere, and the lovely glimmering gold flakes as they float on the surface of the tea delights and occupies the mind.
We hope you enjoy the beauty and flavor of this special blend of gold and our finest tea.
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| The sparkle of gold flakes which float on the surface of the tea delights and occupies the mind |
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| Gold is an ancient symbol of prosperity and welfare |
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| Three packages of gold flakes are attached separately |
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Golden Celebration Gyokuro, Matcha and the Gift Set items |
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Gift Idea: Combine Japanese Tea and Tea Ware You Would like |
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| Japanese tea combined with handcrafted tea ware makes a wonderful gift. Atmospheric handcrafted tea ware enhances the green moment. All handcrafted tea ware available at Hibiki-an, created by artisans in Kyoto, Shigaraki, and Tokoname, is both traditional and sophisticated. Listed below are our most popular items. Since these are our most popular and well-loved items, you can get an idea of what might make the perfect gift!
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| Special tea ware, such as handcrafted tea ware, which creates a different tea experience, enhances the green tea moment. |
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| Well designed tea accessories certainly delight tea lovers. |
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| All of our Matcha Bowls / Accessories are carefully selected for their function, value, and style. |
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Teapots / Cups shopping category: click here
Matcha Bowls / Accessories shopping category: click here |
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[Holiday Gift] HIBIKI-AN Gift Card / Wish List
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HIBIKI-AN Gift Card (email delivery) |
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This Gift Card Email Delivery can be sent with a personal message. Once you place an order, the Gift Card email including the claim code will be sent to your recipient directly. You can also receive the Gift Card email and then forward it to your recipient. The recipient can spend their Gift Card right away or deposit it into their Hibiki-an account and wait for seasonal limited items for up to one year.
Hibiki-an has a wide range and various kinds of genuine Japanese tea, tea ware, snacks and candy, and ships worldwide from Kyoto, Japan. The gift recipient will certainly be pleased with a HIBIKI-AN Gift Card and the green moment.
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Wish List |
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Would you share your Holiday Gift request using the Wish List?
New Wish List option was recently added to our website. You can share your Wish List with your family and friends by email, Facebook or Twitter. Of course, it is useful just to keep track of items you are interested in or want to order in the future. Would you try creating a Wish List? |
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[New & Limited] Teapots / Cups, Matcha Bowls / Accessories |
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| We have arranged for 15 limited edition tea ware items, and 14 limited edition new Matcha Bowls / Accessories. The 33 limited
edition items are all available only this autumn and winter season. |
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| Teapots / Cups shopping category: click here |
| Matcha Bowls / Accessories shopping category: click here |
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(Notice) Now Shipping to Most Countries (COVID-19 issue)
As shown in the below chart, at last, we are now able to ship to most countries, though the situation is still not fully back to normal.
Orders bound for a few countries (the US, etc.) still can be temporarily accepted only with DHL Express International NOT Standard International.
We are still temporarily unable to ship to some countries, such as
Russia, India etc. And deliveries can be delayed due to each country's
situation. (more info, click here)
We strongly recommend that you choose the Express International Delivery option, which is fast and trackable. Or you may wish to order after the COVID-19 crisis calms down and conditions return to normal...
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Latest Flight Status (as of Nov 1st)
- 'o': Almost normal delivery time, though there are some delays.
- '-': Significantly delayed, though flights are not stopped.
- 'x': Stopped flights
| Flights (bound for) | Express
International
(Postal) | Standard
International
(Postal) | DHL Express
International |
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| United States | x | x | o |
| Canada | x | - | o |
| Australia | x | x | o |
| United Kingdom | o | - | |
| Switzerland | o | - | |
| Italy | x | x | o |
| Germany | o | - | |
| Singapore | o | - | |
| France | o | - | |
| Spain | o | - | |
| Norway | o | - | |
| New Zealand | o | - | |
| Israel | x | x | o |
| Russia | x | x | |
| Netherlands | o | - | |
| Hong Kong | o | - | |
| Sweden | o | - | |
| Denmark | o | - | |
| Belgium | o | - | |
| Czechia | o | - | |
| UAE | x | x | o |
| Finland | o | o | |
| Austria | o | - | |
| Thailand | o | - | |
| Hungary | o | - | |
| Ireland | o | o | |
| Bulgaria | o | - | |
| Ukraine | o | o | |
| India | x | x | |
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| Flights (bound for) | Express
International
(Postal) | Standard
International
(Postal) | DHL Express
International |
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| Romania | x | x | |
| Brazil | x | x | |
| Croatia | o | - | |
| Indonesia | o | - | |
| Lithuania | o | - | |
| Poland | o | - | |
| Slovakia | o | - | |
| Malaysia | o | - | |
| Mexico | o | - | |
| Philippines | o | - | |
| Iceland | o | - | |
| Turkey | o | - | |
| Latvia | o | - | |
| Serbia | o | - | |
| Saudi Arabia | x | x | |
| Taiwan | o | - | |
| Lebanon | o | - | |
| Luxembourg | o | - | |
| Vietnam | o | - | |
| South Africa | o | - | |
| Ecuador | o | - | |
| Qatar | o | - | |
| Cambodia | x | x | |
| Portugal | o | - | |
| Kazakhstan | o | - | |
| Belarus | o | - | |
| Estonia | o | - | |
| Slovenia | o | - | |
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Account info
You can view your account info, including your order history, as well as change your email, password, or home address or add a new shipping address to your address book by clicking here.
Or if you prefer, we are happy to update your account info for you. Just let us know. Please don't hesitate to contact us!
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You can remove your email address from the mailing list by clicking here.
Or if you prefer, email us with your FULL NAME and we will immediately remove your email address from the mailing list.
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