A diverse world of spices that expands culinary creativity and adds depth and individuality to flavors and aromas.

We spoke to Miyata Taro, director of the cafe "uRn.chAi&TeA" on the second floor of COREDO Muromachi 3, about its charms and how to enjoy it.

- Why are adults so into spices?

Each spice has its own unique flavor, in a good way. For example, WASH cheese has a strong smell and is not to everyone's liking, but once you get used to it, it has an addictive charm. Cilantro has also recently become popular, but there is a clear division between those who like it and those who don't.

The more unusual and difficult something is to get into at first, the more you learn about it, and the more you become hooked and obsessed with it. I feel like the appeal of spices is an extension of that.

Another thing is the fun of blending. Sharpening your five senses and thinking about the overlapping flavors and aromas and pairings is incredibly creative.

Even spices that have a very strong flavor on their own can take on a completely different flavor when combined with other spices. Because there is no right answer, repeated trial and error opens up endless possibilities. What's more, the flavor becomes mellower as the spices are left to mature, and the depth of the flavor that can be enjoyed over time is also appealing.


- What exactly are spices?

Herbs are plant-based seasonings made from the seeds, fruits, roots, bark, and flowers of plants. While herbs mainly use the leaves, spices basically use the rest of the plant. The person who first discovered that they could be used in cooking is amazing!

Spices are used to add flavor, aroma, and color to dishes, but some spices also have antibacterial properties that help preserve food and have been shown to have a variety of health benefits.

For example, cinnamon is called "keihi" in traditional Chinese medicine and is said to have a warming effect on the body. On the other hand, although it is not a problem in a normal diet, consuming large amounts of it can have a negative effect on the liver, so avoid taking too much in an attempt to obtain medicinal benefits.


- What are some typical spices and their characteristics?

The chai at "uRn.chAi&TeA" uses the following six types of spices. This is more than the average chai. We blend these spices in a balance that many people will find delicious, and offer them as our original chai.

All of these spices are easy to obtain and use, so they will come in handy not only for making chai but also for a variety of other dishes!

Cinnamon
This is the dried bark of an evergreen tree in the Lauraceae family. It has a sweet, warm fragrance and has a warming effect on the body. Adding a small amount to tea or coffee will deepen the aroma.

Ginger
Ginger is often used raw. It has a sharp, spicy, and sweet taste. Adding a small amount to stir-fries will remove the unpleasant odor of meat or vegetables and enhance their flavor.

Black Pepper
Dried unripe pepper fruits. Its spicy kick and refreshing acidity enhance the flavor of dishes. It is a versatile spice that can be used in almost any dish.

Cardamom
It is the dried fruit of a perennial plant in the ginger family. It is also known as the "Queen of Spices" for its sweet, refreshing, elegant and noble fragrance.

Clove
Dried clove buds. Rich, sweet, and slightly medicinal. The scent is strong, so be careful not to use too much. 2-3 capsules is recommended for stews. It's also useful as an odor eliminator.

Coriander Seed
These seeds come from the same plant as coriander. They have a refreshing citrus flavor and a nutty aroma. Adding them to soups or stews adds a refreshing accent.

For example, you can make a spicy curry by adding cumin, which gives curry its aroma, cayenne pepper, which adds spiciness, and turmeric, which gives it a yellow color, to the six spices mentioned above. Grasp the characteristics of typical spices and try making your own recipe!


- How do you choose spices, how do you store them, and what tools do you need?

When purchasing spices for the first time, we recommend visiting an Indian grocery store that carries a wide variety of spices. You can ask the store staff if you have any questions, and you can also have fun discovering spices you've never tried before.

Whether you use whole or powdered tea depends on your preference, but using whole tea leaves produces a smoother aroma, while powdered tea produces a sharper scent.

Spices are sensitive to moisture, so if possible, store them in a vacuum sealed container at home. Buying whole spices and grinding them when needed will help preserve their aroma. It's convenient to have a mortar and pestle to crush spices and bring out their aroma, and a spice mill to freshly grind black pepper, etc.


- What are the recommended spicy dishes at uRn.chAi&TeA?

We've picked out two items from "uRn.chAi&TeA" on the 2nd floor of COREDO Muromachi 3 that will allow you to experience the charm of spices.

Their signature product, "Original Chai," is made by boiling Uva and Assam black tea with six kinds of spices and adding a rich sweetness of brown sugar. It boasts a sweetness that brings out the flavor of the spices and a taste that you will never tire of, making it the most popular drink.

The "Home Chai Set" is a set of tea leaves and spices used in our original chai. Simply crush the well-balanced spices in a mortar, boil them with tea leaves, and add milk to create your own homemade chai! It makes about 10 cups of chai.

It also comes with a recipe, making it the perfect introduction to spices. By adjusting the crushing of the spices and the initial soaking time, you may be able to create a flavor that suits your taste better than what you'd get at a restaurant.

Suzuki Atsuga, manager of Yanaka　Coffee, a coffee bean specialty store on the first floor of COREDO Muromachi 2, will guide us through the world of coffee, which is an essential part of everyday life and provides a relaxing time.

We spoke to him inside the store, which is lined with about 30 types of raw coffee beans purchased from around the world based on their deliciousness.

- Why are adults so addicted to coffee?

Similar to the appeal of wine, I think one of the reasons is that you can enjoy the differences depending on the variety, origin, and roasting. In addition, the unique appeal of coffee is that you can control the flavor by how you grind and brew the beans at home.

In the Showa era, coffee shops mainly served strong, bitter, dark roasted coffee, but over the past decade or so, a culture of enjoying fruity, unique coffee has taken root. Why not try to bring out the potential of unique coffee and enjoy it to the fullest?

- How do you choose coffee beans?

Coffee varieties are broadly divided into three original species: Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica. There are hundreds of cultivated varieties, but there are probably less than 10 varieties that are commonly seen. Some of the more well-known varieties include Bourbon, Caturra, and Typica.

However, in reality, customers don't often pay much attention to the variety when making their selection. Generally, they first choose the roast level they prefer, and then we recommend coffee beans that are suitable for that roast level.

At Yanaka　Coffee, you can choose from seven levels of roasting, from light to dark, and they roast each bean to order. Coffee is originally the seed of a fruit called a "coffee cherry," so the lighter the roast, the more pronounced the fruity nuances, while the darker the roast, the stronger the bitterness. Even with the same beans, the flavor changes dramatically depending on the roasting level.

Another important point is the "origin (production area)." Coffee bean producing areas are concentrated within 25 degrees north and south of the equator, also known as the coffee belt. However, even within these areas, the characteristics vary greatly depending on the soil and climate, and you can get a rough idea of the flavor characteristics of each producing area. The characteristics of each producing area are listed in the store, so please refer to it.

However, if you don't know where to start, we recommend starting with Brazilian beans. Many of them are not too acidic and are easy to drink.

You can also taste any of Yanaka　Coffee 's takeout coffees. If you tell us your preferences for the coffee, such as "more fruity" or "a little more bitter," we will recommend the perfect coffee beans for you.

- How do you grind coffee beans?

The coffee beans you purchase need to be ground into powder before brewing. Many people who have a coffee grinder take the beans home as they are, but it is also possible to grind them in-store. However, grinding them just before brewing will of course ensure better freshness. Just like with spices.

The taste also varies depending on how it is ground; the coarser the grind, the less the ingredients come out, resulting in a cleaner taste, while the finer the grind, the more ingredients come out, resulting in a stronger taste.

Now, I'm going to get a little technical here, but the flavor components that emerge change depending on the extraction time. First comes the aroma, then the sourness and sweetness, and finally the bitterness, astringency, and other unpleasant flavors emerge.

In other words, the finer the grind, the sooner the off-flavors will appear, but if the grind is coarser, it will take longer for the off-flavors to appear. If you understand this and can create an extraction recipe, you're already a fully advanced coffee brewer.


- How do you brew your coffee?

Hand drip is the most common way to brew coffee. There's no right or wrong way to brew it, but we recommend brewing it at a slightly lower temperature. A good rule of thumb is around 80 degrees. Transferring the water between the pot and kettle two or three times will help you achieve the right temperature.

If you drink it iced, make sure to make it strong, assuming that the ice will dilute it. You can also make it delicious with "cold brew," which is made by steeping a packet of coffee powder in cold water for a few hours, similar to making barley tea.

Generally, iced coffee, made by chilling drip coffee with ice, has a crisp taste, while cold brew has a mellow and clear taste.

- How do you store coffee beans?

The change in taste of coffee beans over time is called aging, and it's not necessarily a negative thing. However, if you store them in poor storage conditions for a long period of time, they will develop an oxidized, sour taste and the aroma will weaken. As a guideline, coffee is best enjoyed two to three weeks after roasting. To prevent deterioration, we recommend purchasing small amounts at a time.

Humidity and heat can cause coffee to deteriorate, so it's best to store it in the refrigerator at home, and in the freezer for long-term storage. Coffee has such a strong odor-absorbing ability that it's even used in deodorizers, so if it comes into contact with air, it may pick up the smell of your refrigerator. If possible, transfer it to an airtight container.

Also, beans taken out of the refrigerator or freezer may condense and absorb water, so take only the amount you will use and put them back in immediately.

-What coffee do you recommend at Yanaka　Coffee?

We've picked out two items from Yanaka　Coffee on the first floor of COREDO Muromachi 2 that will allow you to experience the charm of coffee.

"Chocolat Berries Natural" is Yanaka　Coffee 's most popular Brazilian coffee. It has a bitter chocolate flavor and a subtle floral aroma. If you don't mind the moderate bitterness of coffee, this classic flavor will be delicious, and it's a great starting point for your journey through the world of coffee.

"Mocha Alshiverbeti Natural" is a native variety of coffee grown in Ethiopia. It has a gorgeous, fruity aroma and a light, refreshing taste. You can enjoy its strong character. It might be interesting to purchase it together with the Brazilian variety and compare the two.