Has anybody been to a Japanese tea ceremony?

[charizzi]

I'm going to the Sakura Matsuri in Brooklyn this upcoming weekend. Its my second time going to see the cherry blossoms in bloom at the gardens though I wasn't there last year to see the festivities. I know this weekend they are going to have tea ceremonies, J-pop concerts, and more. I'm excited to see a 'traditional tea ceremony'.

[olivierco]

What kind of sweets are put in furidashi?

[Pentox]

What kind of sweets are put in furidashi?

Hm, Chamekke would probably be the most suited for that question, but here's my thought. The internets tell me that furidashi is used for storing sweets for Chabako. I've been told that sometimes you serve konpeito with chabako, but I'm not sure if that is the only option. But I would think that konpeito would be a fair bet.

[olivierco]

Thanks.
I read that konpeito taste like sugar whatever their color is. Is it true?

[Pentox]

Thanks.
I read that konpeito taste like sugar whatever their color is. Is it true?

I can't say for certain, but i'm pretty sure that is true. I think the color is just for that, color. I have a bag of it sitting at home, but I haven't opened it yet.

[Buzz Fledderjohn]

Mmmm...daifukumochi

[chamekke]

Yes, konpeito (sometimes also spelled kompeito) is the sweet that is served in furidashi. The guest removes the stopper and shakes out a few of the sweets, which are eaten just before receiving the matcha.



Konpeito is rock sugar candy; the word is related to "confetti". You can buy it at many Asian supermarkets, also online (I've seen it on eBay and Amazon). They usually come in various colours, mostly pastels - pink, green, white and so forth.

Fun little article about the making of konpeito here:
http://www.kcif.or.jp/en/newsletter/lik ... /08_99.htm

And a "candy review" of konpeito:
http://candyaddict.com/blog/2006/01/10/review-konpeito/

The official word from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kompeito