Gold flakes

[skilfautdire]

Hibiki-an is selling gyokuro with gold flakes. With the gyokuro comes a little pouch of gold flakes that one sprinkles oin the teacup. My naive question is: are these gold flakes supposed to be sipped along with the tea ?

[Victoria]

Yes. You can consume gold flakes. I hear they add no real taste, it's just for show. But a mineral that your body can absorb. I have seen them in wine and candy before. I don't personally find it appealing.

[clareandromeda]

Flashbacks of my misguided youth and goldschlagger in high school....yuuk.

[virago_ns]

I remember reading something about goldschlagger having the gold flakes so they make small cuts in the throat to absorb the alcohol faster. Don't supposed the rumored effect would be the same for caffeine in tea? I bet it would be pretty

[Janine]

I was in a beautiful store in Tokyo that sold incense and also handcrafted huge Buddhist altars (complete with museum on another floor). We are talking about a very high-end store among all the boutiques of Ginza. They offered me a special tea: it was basically shiso with gold flakes -- considered to be a beauty tea. Apparently the gold flakes - so the theory goes - should help to absorb toxins. It was actually quite good and warming, and I took some home but haven't drunk it again.