Crumbs to Crunch

I have a new love and it is called melonpan. This sweet bread is everywhere in Japan, and when it’s fresh out of the oven, nothing can beat it. It is a light, sweet bread with a crisp top and can be recognised by the distinctive crosses etched onto it. The name comes from the fact that it apparently looks like a cantaloupe melon, rarely is the bread actually melon flavoured. As for 'pan', that is the japanese word for bread, which originates from Portuguese.  On my quest to eat as much melonpan as possible, I found myself at Asakusa Kagetsudo Honten. This tiny little shop near the Asakusa Temple in Tokyo is famous for its jumbo melonpan. Asakusa (Senso-jiin) is one of the most famous sights in Tokyo. This Buddhist temple was built in the seventh century. The big gate of thunder opens the way to a path lined by little huts selling Japanese souvenirs and snacks. Once you arrive at the temple, you can get good luck by wafting incense over yourself. You can even find o...

One of my pet hates about Britain is that tea rooms close so early. Many a time have I been turned away at 4pm, gasping for a cup of tea! Spain is the perfect antidote to this as their whole day starts hours after ours. So you can imagine my delight when I stumbled across Tekoe , a tea bar in Madrid.  Hooray! I can finally have a late night cuppa if I wish! Tekoe is ultra modern yet cosy. They boast shelves upon shelves of loose leaf teas in bright green tins. I ordered an Evening Chai, an orange chamomile and mint concoction. It was a very light and soothing tea which was also a naturally sweet. For the real tea addicts, they also offer Earl Grey cake which is a lovely sponge with just hints of Earl Grey and a drizzle of icing. If you fancy going out one evening but don't fancy drinking then Tekoe is the perfect place for a chill evening with friends. 

Yesterday was Hina Matsuri in Japan, also known as Girl’s Day or Doll’s day in English. The celebration of this festival is a traditional way to pray for the health of a young girl. When a baby girl is born, parents often prepare dolls before her first Hina Matsuri. Then, every year a display is put up in the house. The top of the three-tiered platform has an emperor and empress doll. Surrounding them are court ladies, court musicians and items usually associated with marriage, such as tea ceremony utensils and personal effects that a wife would take to her new home. However, this display must be put away before the 3 rd March, otherwise it is said that the girls will not be able to get married. As in all cases, what really interests me about this festival is the food! I work in a school, and our special school lunch consisted of chirashizushi and hina arare. Chirashizushi consists of sushi rice with vinegar and sugar topped with raw fish and sometimes vegetables. Hina arar...