Fleur de Geisha

 Fleur de Geisha

Hanami (flower viewing) is the Japanese custom of enjoying the beauty of  flowers. 

Every spring from the end of March to early May the Sakura (cherry blossoms) bloom all over Japan.  The Japanese people enjoy the tradition of hanami today by celebrating in parks and festivals with outdoor parties under the Sakura trees.

 Geisha Girls

Hanami is also celebrated in the United States. 

On March 27, 1912, Japan gave 3,000 Japanese cherry trees as a gift to the United States.  These trees were planted in Washington DC.  In 1965 another 3,800 gifted trees were planted there.  Japans' gift of the cherry blossom trees celebrates the enduring friendship between the people of Japan and the United States. 

Washington D.C. has had a Cherry Blossom Festival since 1935 to celebrate spring and the gift of the cherry blossom trees.  Today the festival has grown into a 2 week spring celebration known as the National Cherry Blossom Festival. 

 Le Palais des The`s

A wonderful way for to celebrate the arrival of spring and hanami is to drink

Fleur de Geisha tea by Le Palais des The`s.

Le Palais des The`s is tucked away in the le Marais in Paris. I discovered this wonderful tea purveyor while meandering the Marais on my last trip to Paris. 

My favorite tea discovery in their shop was Fleur de Geisha .  This tea is actually inspired by the Japanese tradition of Hanami viewing cherry trees in blossom.  Fleur de Geisha is a Sencha (green tea) delicately scented with cherry blossom. 

Fleur de Geisha

Fleur de Geisha is the perfect tea to celebrate the cherry blossom trees.

This special tea blend can be ordered online from Les Palais des The`s but I've decided to wait and pick mine up on my upcoming trip to Paris in May.

I hope you'll try this lovely taste of spring and take time for hanami. 

Special note:   I would like to express my heartfelt prayers to the people of Japan and their loved ones as they recover from their devastating earthquake and tsunami.  For ways to help the people of Japan, you can visit this website. 


(In the photos:  Large Washi tea canister available for purchase at The Tea Cupboard.)