Hip, hop, hurray, it's officially Spring.
Well, okay, Spring doesn't actually start until the Vernal Equinox on March 20th… but you can savour that happy, fresh feeling of Spring through our returning seasonal favourite Sake & Sakura: a floral white chocolate truffle (with just a hint of heat) inside a dark chocolate shell speckled with naturally coloured cocoa butter.
Sake (pronounced sah-keh) dates back to the 3rd century and is a Japanese fermented rice wine with an aroma thats been described as fruity, nutty and caramel-like. Our sake comes from Granville Island (technically a sandspit, not an island) in Vancouver, where you'll find a hub of artisan craft shops, markets and theaters including a local Japanese artisan sakemaker.
There are several different types of sake as specified by the Japanese government. Sake is usually served chilled (at about the same temperature as white wine) but it can also be served warmed up, depending on the type of sake.
Sakura is the Japanese word for cherry blossoms, and they're the symbolic flowers of Spring, renewal and new beginnings. In Japan, cherry blossom parties are held with friends and family, where everyone enjoys a potluck under cherry blossoms. This custom is called hanami, which literally means "watching blossoms," and it's a tradition that can be traced back at least a thousand years.
But you can make up a new tradition: Invite your besties over for a taste of Spring.
