One thing that we have noticed more in Japan is the seasonality of food. (Maybe its because we go to the grocery store every day!).
Unlike in the U.S. where you can get pretty much any type of fruit year round, the fruit available here is more naturally tied to the season. Right now, the available fruits include green mikan (which look like limes, but taste like slightly tarter and less sweet mandarin oranges), persimmons (which Jacob and Lauren insist should be called per-cinnamons), and Asian pears (a more apple-y pear). We have an Asian pear in our kitchen right now that is the size of a large grapefruit. We pay serious money for fruit here, but you can't argue with the quality.
October 9, 2008
Seasonal Foods
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3 comments:
I don't think it's simply that you go to the market each day. You could shop daily here as well and get fruits from all over the world. I think it's more the unwillingness to either buy things from afar (think about how much of our fruit and vegetables come from Mexico and South America and even Holland, Spain and Israel!) or to pay for less than good tasting fruits and vegetables (think about insipid tomatoes we get, and tasteless strawberries and grapes). Also, the sheer size of the US and the different temperature zones even within our own country offer a wider variety of fruits and vegetables for our consumption.
Are most of the fruits and veggies you buy raised in Japan? Where do they come from? There isn't exactly a huge landmass in Japan to raise the fruits etc. to feed a population the size of Japan's.
Well, I finally caught up! It feels like you are all becoming more and more a part of the woof and warp of life in Japan. I think that's great. Hopefully you will not decide to stay there even longer! If you do, I really will have to come and visit and bring you up to date on such wonderful things as torn rotator cuffs (no matter; the Mets still couldn't do it --even with me!); re-learning 35mm photography by using an auction bought camera; reading The Divine Comedy (some Italian -- mostly English!); and continuing to teach Joyce about cooking (my new year's nut cake had some tragic flaws!). See what you're missing? Love to all and talk soon!
Thanks for the interesting culinary thoughts and life update!!! We miss you guys....
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