Do you remember the last time you tasted something that you loved at first bite? Do you remember the last time you ever tasted something for the first time that combined flavors and textures in ways you had never imagined?
There’s a restaurant in Miami’s Miami’s Design District called Itamae. It’s the project of a family of dedicated craftsmen and women. Fernando “Papa” Chang, his son Nando, and his daughter Val, make food that is really on its own planet. I had tasted some Peruvian food before, but tasting their food felt like a combination of flavors and textures that were brand new. They combine the simple and austere, perfect textures of classic sushi with the crazy showers of leche de tigre and coconut milk.
When my good friend and Itamae partner, David “D-Mo” Morales brought up the idea of doing a customized iced tea blend for them, I thought it would be a fun challenge.
Papa Chang’s is a toasted green tea blend that was developed with our friends at in The blend itself starts with hojicha, a sweet toasted green tea. Next, we add jasmine cloud and genmaicha (Japanese green tea with toasted brown rice). Finally, we finish with rose petals, lemon myrtle, and ginger. Above all, it’s rich and toasty, yet refreshing and easy to drink
Itamae dishes beautifully curated Peruvian / Japanese cuisine. They have quickly established themselves as one of the most consistently delicious options Miami has to offer. On one hand, they offer the crazy, vibrant flavors of Peru, on the other hand, they offer the beautiful subdued flavors of Japan.
In summary, this blend is really one of our proudest collaborations with brilliantly talented friends.
