We recently took receipt of another sack of unpolished genmai straight from our favourite rice farmers. This time it arrived with a small envelope inserted, containing these handsome dried togarashi chillies grown (organically of course) alongside the paddies, dried in the sun and woven together by hand. This is more than just a cheerful decoration — it's an amulet of sorts.
• It's a reminder that the countryside is not so far away, bringing with it a hint of open skies, lush green fields of rice and fresh rural air.
• At the same time, chillies are a powerful disincentive for the bugs (moth larvae) that tend to make their homes in the grain bin at this time of year.
• And spices are also a great way to stimulate appetites left stunted and wilting in the debilitating heat.
In sum, this is a practical home-grown (literally) version of the traditional midsummer expressions of concern for our health and well-being in this most trying of seasons.
