Un encuentro perfecto
(A perfect meeting)
Video
Spain 2007, DVCPRO HD, PAL, 16:9, Colour, Stereo, 8'30''
It is an uncommon tea ceremony*1 because the host is a Spanish tea master whereas the guest is a Japanese man who has lived in Spain for over twenty years. It all takes place in a tearoom in Madrid. On this occasion, the accompanying pastry –for there must always be one in this ceremony– is tocino de cielo*2 from Jerez de la Frontera, where the recipe originally comes from. The Japanese guest tastes this pastry, which does not exist in his homeland, while drinking matcha, bitter green tea.
*1 The Japanese tea ceremony (cha-no-yu, chadô, or sadô) is a ritual way of making green tea (matcha). The ceremony shows the influence of Zen Bhudism. Tea is served to a small group of guests in a quiet atmosphere.
*2 It is one of the most popular pastries in Spain. The origin of the tocino de cielo from Jerez is connected to the wine from the area and to the massive use of egg whites during the clarification process. The foremen of the wineries gave the leftover yokes to nuns from different convents, who in turn used them to make these delicious pastries.