417 foodie news: Botanical gardens offering matcha tea tasting for June 15
This week in Springfield-area food news: Sign up to experience Japanese culture at the stroll garden and cool off with some Dole soft serve at a new food truck.
Experience matcha tea, tea ceremony procedures
The Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden in the Springfield Botanical Gardens, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., are once again hosting a matcha tea tasting event June 15. Instructor Jennifer Huffman will lead the tasting of teas sourced directly from growers in Japan.
Matcha is a powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves. Tea is an important part of Japanese culture.
"Dive into the intricacies of tea ceremony procedures and explore the unique qualities of matcha teas distinguished by the Urasenke tea family," the Springfield Park Board said in its announcement.
Three one-hour sessions are available, at 10:30 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., and are limited to six people over the age of 6 per session. It is $25 per participant and online registration only through the Springfield Park Board's website, parkboard.org.
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New spot offers Dole treat, shave ice
Places to get cool treats seem to be popping up all over Springfield. Tropical Sno of Springfield is serving block-shaved ice and Dole soft serve at 2336 S. Campbell Ave.
Dole soft serve is a cold dessert that is dairy-free and gluten-free. Tropical Sno always offers pineapple Dole and has monthly rotating secondary flavors, according to its Facebook page.
The truck is open noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield Botanical Gardens offers matcha tea tasting event
