Proof I'm A Coffee Addict

For everyone that I disappointed in the previous blog regarding my lack of coffee intake, I believe I will make up for it in this blog. 

First things first, I did go back to Esparza's Tacos and Coffee and tried their iced latte. It was a solid choice and a decent cup of coffee. The coffee in Okinawa is often VERY strong making what we drink in the States seem pretty weak. If what you find in the other coffee cafes around the island is too strong for your taste I would highly recommend going to Esparza's on the regular as it will remind you of the coffee you get at home!    

Next, over the Labor Day weekend, Zach and I visited two coffee farms to the north of our home in Okinawa. 

One was Hiro Coffee Farm, an independent coffee farm tucked away on highway 70. The other was Matayoshi Coffee Farm a more established farm south of Hiro. The drive to Hiro Coffee Farm is a bit of a distance but worth the time if not for the coffee itself but the beautiful Okinawa scenery. If you take the route provided by Google maps, you'll enjoy a lovely drive up the Pacific coast, the East China Sea, and through some luscious mountain passes. Okinawa is a beautiful island and sometimes half of the adventure is just getting to your destination. So, don't let the distance stop you. Just go! Enjoy the ride!

After a few bends in the road, you'll soon find a sign informing you that you have arrived at Hiro Coffee Farm. The farm is small, as is their shop, so don't drive too fast or you'll speed past it. If you do, be sure to turn around because you do not want to miss this place! 

The parking lot can probably fit about ten cars and the shop does not sit far back from the lot. The women working in the shop, who we assumed to be one of the owners, was so friendly and allowed us to walk around the small farm. They have an example of a coffee tree out in the open for tourist to take pictures of since this is not a large operation with formal tours.  The owners have figured out a way to make this small coffee shop unique by offering specialty items like coffee pudding and a coffee roasted hotdog as well as serving hot and iced coffee. They have a small place to sit inside as well as several areas to sit and enjoy the north island breeze outside as you consume your caffeinated items. Overall, if you love coffee and have ever wanted to wander around a coffee farm and feel a bit more connected to the beverage that completes your day - visit Hiro Coffee Farm. It's as chill your favorite coffee house.

As for the coffee they roast, it is not for the "weak in cup". This coffee is strong. So if a non-fat, double pump, no foam, pumpkin spice latte is your thing - I would try the coffee pudding. But if you like coffee for coffee's sake - Hiro Coffee Farm is where you want to go. 

Since it's still pretty warm here in Okinawa, I ordered an iced coffee. Bonus points to Hiro Coffee Farm for putting coffee ice cubes in their iced coffee! That was a pleasant surprise and a nice touch in this hot weather because things melt so quickly yet thanks to Hiro Coffee my coffee did not get watered down. Therefore allowing me to truly enjoy the flavor of the coffee which was not too acidic so I'd give it a 6 out of 10 (1 being bitter -  10 being acidic). Disclaimer: I am not a coffee professional and my scores mean nothing.

We also tried the coffee pudding and the coffee hotdog. If you go to Hiro Coffee Farm I would recommend all of these items but if you can only get one - try the coffee. If you don't want to drink the coffee - try the pudding, IT'S FANTASTIC!

Coffee Tree on display for tourists. If you look closely at the left picture you'll see the green coffee beans. 

Working our way back to the south we visited the second coffee farm, Matayoshi Coffee Farm. When driving to Hiro Coffee Farm you'll pass Matayoshi Coffee Farm but I would encourage you to press on to Hiro first and stop at Matayoshi on your way back. Hiro is a "mom and pop" operation, as we'd say in the States. Matayoshi is a bit more robust. They have a great deal more land than Hiro and even have a small processing facility. It's nice to have both experiences. 

Matayoshi's cafe was larger and sold more product than Hiro. They did not offer tours of the facility or grounds but did not mind guests looking around the greenhouse that was just behind the cafe. Matayoshi was a fun farm to visit because they had so much going on. Not only was it a coffee farm but they also had a horse stable on the land as well and right beside the cafe there was a training ring for jumpers. We enjoyed seeing inside the greenhouse as Hiro utilized a greenhouse as well and that allowed us to gain a better understanding of how coffee is grown here in Okinawa. 

Unfortunately, the day we visited Matayoshi Coffee Farm they were completely sold out of their Okinawan coffee bean. Having just had a cup of coffee at Hiro we didn't feel the need to just try a random cup of coffee that we could get anywhere (no offense to a good cup of 100% Arabic coffee) but we were coming to sample the Okinawan blend and without that we were coffee'd out. That would have been my fourth cup of the day Y'all. So instead of sampling a cup of local brew, we tried a local sweet instead; Ice cream Zenzai. 

Ice cream Zenzai is shaved ice (think powered snow), with a scoop of ice cream on top, and sweet cold red bean soup poured on top. You're thinking, "No way. Red beans belong in Chili." Let me tell you, friends, red beans belong with ice cream - oh and inside pastries but we'll get to that later. This dessert was perfect for a mid-afternoon snack. Light - because it's mainly shaved ice. Protein - because of the beans. Sweet - because of the scoop of ice cream. What more could you ask for? 

Ice cream zenzai is delicious and this will not be our last time sampling this particular sweet! Two thumbs up, Y'all!

Overall, Matayoshi Coffee Farm was a fine experience but not for the coffee, for the ice cream, since they didn't have any of the Okinawa blend!

Every story needs a twist and there it is for this one; we left our house in search of coffee and found it but we also found a treat we had never tasted before - ice cream zenzai. So when you come to Okinawa, and you will, you should visit Hiro Coffee Farm and you must try ice cream zenzai. But as we're learning from these adventures, who knows what else you'll find when you venture out!? And that's half the fun of it! 

#imgoingonanadventure

Vending Machines

I'm super excited about this post because this is one of my favorite things about Okinawa life so far... the vending machines.

If you know me, you know it doesn't take much to amuse me or make me happy. For me, it's the small things in life that do the trick.

When we first arrived on the island we couldn't drive and we didn't have access to a lot of coffee. This was a BIG PROBLEM for me. These vending machines became my best friend our first week here and over the past twenty days on the island we've built a pretty solid relationship. 

You're probably thinking, "What is so special about a vending machine?"

This:


  
Here in Okinawa vending machines are everywhere. Like, the middle of nowhere, everywhere. Yes, vending machines are in shopping centers and outside of gas stations but they're also randomly placed along roadways like the one you see above. 


Another difference between the vending machines here and the ones in the States is the selection. As you can see from the pictures, there are several choices in each machine. There are different types of sodas, waters, coffees, teas, energy drinks, and juices.  (Don't let this be intimidating. Just go with what looks good!) 

I really enjoy the coffee choices in the vending machines. When I'm on the go and can't make a cup of coffee at home or stop to get one; these are perfect! Boss coffee is one that a lot of people recommend and you can find in several machines. Georgia coffee is also very good and is a regular option in most machines. Both Boss and Georgia offer coffee in black, cream and sugar, and cafe au lait options. You'll just have to stop and see what they have in the machine you've chosen (which is part of the fun).

Another recommendation I have would be apple tea. I've tried a few of them and have enjoyed them all! Dydo makes a really refreshing one so try theirs first if you can. But, ultimately, no matter who makes it, try apple tea!

I've also tried orange juice, seltzer water, different teas and my husband has tried a melon shake from the vending machines as well.  It's all been good! The bottom line - visit a vending machine and try something new! 

Ya know, after writing a post about beverages I'm pretty thirsty so I think I'm going to go grab a drink. Wonder what I'll try today...

100 Yen Store

Have you been thinking about 100 yen? Good.

I've been thinking about 100 Yen A LOT since I've been here. Why? 

Because of places like these:

These are just a few pictures of 100 Yen Shops. Think of them as dollar stores but BETTER! These stores have EVERYTHING and it's pretty good quality. 

Side note: The Daiso is similar to a Dollar General, not everything is 100 Yen but it is in 100 Yen increments. However, the majority of items are 108 Yen. 

I haven't been here that long so as of right now the Daiso at the Rycom Mall is my favorite. I have already shopped at this Daiso four or five times since I've been here! This store is two stories and filled with all kinds of goodies. Most 100 Yen Shops have a variety of items for grooming, household, car care, pets, office supplies, kitchen supplies, snacks, footwear, craft supplies and everything in between. This Daiso is my favorite because it has a lot of space and therefore, can pack in A LOT of items. 

Side note: not all 100 Yen Shops are this size - some are quite small. 

My house has been decorated, in my opinion, nicely thanks to these stores. I have purchased curtains, curtain rods, tablecloths, place mats, welcome mats and an accent pillow all from the Daiso!

We didn't have towels when we moved into our house, but thanks to the Daiso I didn't have to spend a fortune on them. Now we have enough to get us by until our towels arrive. 

Samwise's toys have been limited because our household goods shipment has yet to arrive, but once again, thanks to the Daiso I've been able to pick up toys for him for 108 yen that have lasted through his rough play (and he can destroy a toy, I assure you). 

Need an organizer for your bathroom or kitchen?

Need a laundry hamper?

Toothbrush?

Postcards?

Coffee mugs?

Wall art?

Slippers?

Wallet?

Shovel?

Phone charger? 

DAISO!

I'm telling you, this store is wonderful! When you come to Okinawa don't leave without visiting the Daiso. If you move to Okinawa you must visit a 100 Yen Shop. You can find so much of what you need to set up your home and save so much money!

The last tip I want to give everyone about the 100 Yen Shop is this: every time you visit the 100 Yen Shop try a new snack or beverage. If you can't get any indication what it is you're about to buy, use Google Translate to help you figure it out. 

We have tried many yummy snacks and beverages from the Daiso! Trying new things is not only tasty but it's fun. It's fun to open up the package, grab a piece of whatever it is, place it in your mouth, bite down, and experience a new flavor or texture you've never had before. Or to do all of that with great anticipation of it being unfamiliar only to realize you just bought short bread cookies. Either way, you'll love it or you'll laugh. Just remember "It won't hurt you." So, have fun!

Side note: If you have a food allergy you'll definitely need to utilize Google translate out in town. I would recommend using the app to ask sales associates and not just scanning the package as sometimes the app has trouble picking up the full context of the package (i.e., it may only grab the text from half of the label and not the whole label when it gives you the translation and if you're not careful you could miss a section that identifies your allergy).

And with that, grab your change purse and happy shopping!