Click through to @openingchocolate for more explanation and photo’s! #Repost @openingchocolate with @get_repost ・・・ Yesterday we decided to have a Sakura (cherry blossom) afternoon snack. It’s not time for Hanami here but I know in some places in Japan it is already wrapping up. Hanami, or cherry blossom viewing was once only open to the ruling classes, but in 1603 it was opened to the public. Cherry blossom trees were planted in religious centers and the tradition spread all across the country. Once newspapers became popular in the 1800s and even up to today Sakura blooming forecasts are published. Hanami is a beloved tradition that for the past two seasons has not been able to happen. Normally people picnic and drink amongst the blossoms. Now you could only walk through the parks. We enjoyed our afternoon snack with mini Sakura Senbei crackers, petite Sakura konpeito candy, red bean takiyaki and sweet Sakura tea (aren’t those blossoms gorgeous?). And of course chocolate. This @solkiki_chocolatemaker cherry leaf tea bar has a single Sakura blossom embedding in the chocolate. It is a 65% dark bar made with Gran Palo Blanco cacao. Sakura is one of the few floral flavours that I actually like. It has a distinctive Sakura scent with a taste of cocoa, black tea and raisins. How are you celebrating this spring season? #chocolate #darkchocolate #solkikichocolate #openingchocolate #sakura #hanami #japan #cherryblossom #afternoonsnack #teatime #madeinengland #craftchocolate #beantobar #vegan #veganchocolate #microbatch https://www.instagram.com/p/CNKzeYmjhej/?igshid=okpv8k55riv