I went to “I’m donut?” in Harajuku and tri...

2024.3.29

Hello, I’m the writer, Matsu.
This time, I went to the “I’m donut?” store in Harajuku with Tea Prince® and tried their donuts. Along with that, I’ll also introduce some recommended teas to pair with them. This time, I went to the “I’m donut?” store in Harajuku with Tea Prince® and tried their donuts. Along with that, I’ll also introduce some recommended teas to pair with them. 

The store “I’m donut?” is located about a minute’s walk from the Omotesando exit of Harajuku Station. It opened on July 15, 2023, and has gained popularity for its freshly fried donuts. It’s said that you can only enjoy freshly fried donuts at this location and the Omotesando store.
The menu offers 10 varieties of donuts and a selection of drinks. What Tea Prince® ordered here was the “Plain Donut”!

Introducing the products

Q: How is the taste of the “Plain Donut”?

A: The appearance resembles a Malasada, but the donut itself has a slightly fragrant aroma and a mildly sweet, chewy texture.I also tried the one with pistachio cream, and the moderate sweetness of the dough combined with the rich flavor of the pistachio cream, creating a delightful combination.

Recommended Tea

Q: If you’re looking to pair this product with a tea, what type of tea would be good?

A: The recommended tea to pair with this product is the “Afternoon Tea Supervised Hot Flavored Apple Earl Grey Tea Unsweetened 480ml” available at FamilyMart.

The nutty flavor of the donut dough complemented the scented Earl Grey tea, creating a synergistic effect! It was a combination that enhanced the flavors of both items.

 

How is your impression after visiting the store?

Q: Could you please share your impression after visiting this store?

A: Usually, there’s always a line stretching until around the evening when the donuts are sold out. You have to wait in line for at least 15 minutes to buy them. However, this time, I lined up before opening and was the first in line!
There were about 20 people lined up behind me when the store opened! It’s really popular!

On the TikTok of Tea Prince®, I’ve also posted a video from when I went to “I’m donut? (Harajuku store)”, so be sure to check it out♪

@kouchaouji ちょっといっぱい買いすぎちゃったかな〜〜〜！ 紅茶王子のはらじゅく散歩 〚 i’m donut?原宿店 編 〛 ▶ 今回、王子が購入したおやつ情報🍩 【 i’m donut?原宿店 】 営業時間 10:00～19:00 ※売り切れ次第終了 ◎ I’m donut?(プレーン) 237yen ◎ I’m donut? chocolate(チョコ) 281yen ◎ pistacchio(ピスタチオ) 496yen 💳クレジット・PayPay・現金 📍明治神宮前駅 3番出口すぐ！ 東京都渋谷区神宮前1-14-24 ▶ おやつに合わせる紅茶情報🫖 ◎ ラズベリー×ブルーベリーのブレンド 《乙女の紅茶Kaho》 #紅茶王子のはらじゅく散歩 #紅茶王子メディア #紅茶王子 #ティーデザイナー #imdonut #原宿グルメ ♬ オリジナル楽曲 – 紅茶王子 – 紅茶王子®︎🫖紅茶の専門家

Store Information

 

Store Name: “I’m donut?” Harajuku Store
Address: 1-14-24 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.
“Access:
・A 1-minute walk from JR Harajuku Station
・Right by Exit 3 of Meiji-jingumae Station on the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line and Chiyoda Line.”
Business Hours: 10:00 AM – Until Sold Out
Closed Days: Irregular Holidays
Instagram： @i.m.donut

 

I’m donut? Harajuku store is a specialty store for freshly fried, made-to-order donuts that always has a line of customers. The store’s great access, only a 1-minute walk from JR Harajuku Station and also close to Meiji-jingumae Station, is one of its notable features.
Although this store always has a line, the actual waiting time is relatively short, averaging only 15-20 minutes. As the menu is limited and primarily for takeout, customers can make their purchases smoothly. The donuts come in popular flavors such as plain, chocolate, matcha, and pistachio.

The Role of Components Found in Black Tea, Part 1: Catechins

2024.3.5

It is known that the components found in black tea have various effects.
n this article, I would like to provide a detailed explanation of catechins, which are also famous for being found in green tea.

What are Catechins?

Catechins are a type of polyphenol found in green tea and black tea. Polyphenols are components of astringency and color pigments produced by plants and are found in large quantities in tea, as well as in wine and coffee.

The Effects of Catechins

It is said that catechins have various effects. Some people may not associate catechins with the image of tea being good for your health. In this article, we will introduce the effects that are expected of catechins.

◆Antibacterial Effect
It is said that catechins protect against bacteria and viruses, and are good for preventing colds and the flu.
A research group from Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine has recently published a paper stating that catechins found in tea have the effect of “reducing the infectivity” of the novel coronavirus.

Reference:https://www.kpu-m.ac.jp/doc/news/2021/20210615.html

◆Antioxidant Effect
The antioxidant effect, or “kōsanka-sayō,” is expected to remove “kassei sanso” (reactive oxygen species) and prevent oxidation-related aging, cancer, lifestyle diseases, and so on.
To maintain youthfulness and prioritize health, let’s incorporate antioxidants into our diet in moderation.

◆ Blood sugar level suppression effect
Catechins have been observed to inhibit the absorption of sugars and suppress the rise in blood glucose levels.
It is also said to help prevent obesity by suppressing blood sugar levels after meals.

How was it?
Black tea is not only enjoyed for its flavor and aroma but also highly anticipated for maintaining health.However, it’s important to drink it appropriately, as the recommended daily intake for adults is roughly 400mg (about 8 cups).
There are still many components and roles contained in black tea, so please look forward to it!

World’s Top Three Tea – producing regions

2024.3.5

World’s top three tea-producing regions,” including China’s “Qimen,” India’s “Darjeeling,” and Sri Lanka’s “Uva.” These teas are highly renowned, and many people are likely familiar with them. However, this time, rather than focusing on the tea itself, I’d like to shed some light on the origins of these “World’s top three tea-producing regions.” What kind of places are Qimen County in Anhui Province, China, the Darjeeling region in northeastern India, and Uva Province in Sri Lanka? Let me share with you.

The birthplace of ‘Qimen’ – Qimen County, Anhui Province, China.

Qimen County, with a population of about 190,000, was historically known as a green tea-producing region. It is said that the production of black tea began around 1875. Besides being renowned for its tea, it is also popular for tourism due to its scenic beauty.

Reference:Tripadvisor https://www.tripadvisor.jp/Tourism-g1826718-Qimen_County_Anhui-Vacations.html

Darjeeling,” the place of origin, located in Northeast India

Darjeeling, situated in the mountainous region of northeastern India, is the world’s largest producer of black tea, both in terms of production and consumption. It boasts vast tea estates, alongside tourist attractions such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘Toy Train,’ a mountain railway, and the third-highest peak in the world, Kanchenjunga. However, due to its location in mountains with elevations exceeding 2,000 meters, it experiences harsh cold weather, making April to May and September to October the best seasons for visiting.

Reference:Tripadvisor https://www.tripadvisor.jp/Tourism-g304557-Darjeeling_Darjeeling_District_West_Bengal-Vacations.html

The birthplace of “Uva” is Uva Province in Sri Lanka.

In the Uva region, located in the southeastern part of Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Island, there is a famous tea plantation called Amba Tea Estate. Besides Uva, which is one of the world’s three major black teas, Sri Lanka is home to many renowned teas such as Kandy, Ruhuna, Nuwara Eliya, and Dimbula. As a result, tourism packages often include visits to tea factories and tea estates, making them popular among tea enthusiasts.

Reference: Tripadvisor https://www.tripadvisor.jp/Attractions-g2467811-Activities-Uva_Province.html

When browsing travel websites, it appears that there are many tours that seem to be popular with tea lovers. It seems like it would be a great idea to visit the tea-producing regions if given the opportunity.