2023 from the Hourokusha vol.1 「"Wheat variety" experience」

2023.11.20

Photo:Junichiro Morinaga

Text: Kayo Arita

In early November, the Hourokusha held an experience of making bread using wheat.

First, Mr Ichihara from Hourokusha gave a talk about wheat to the children.

'Wheat should be familiar to us as a food, but we eat it without knowing much about it. I want the children to experience the process of wheat as an agricultural product and how it gets to the table by sorting it as knowledge, and then facing wheat and barley and actually making bread and barley tea with it.'

says Ichihara.

It's true that products made from wheat and oats such as bread, cakes, barley tea and beer are all around us, but we probably don't know much about how wheat and oats are made.

After listening to the story, we immediately get to know the wheat. First, the wheat is kneaded and shaped, then the bread dough is rolled onto bamboo skewers.

Some children struggled with the unfamiliar work, but they managed to complete it together.

At the same time, a fire is started.

Children living in all-electric houses are very interested in making a fire.

They use matches to light the charcoal fire.

The children made mugi-cha (barley tea) together using the heat source of the charcoal fire, and it was a big hit with them. The children loved it.

Once the fire is under control, the stone grinder comes into play.

Under the guidance of Mr Ichihara, we will try our hand at flouring with this stone bran.

After the flouring, the children bake bread over a charcoal fire that they have made themselves.

The good smell of wheat fills the air and before you know it, you are starving.

After the delicious bread was baked, the lunch was accompanied by vegetables grilled over a charcoal fire in the Hourokusha.

The children were all smiles as they enjoyed their experience at Hourokusha, surrounded by beautiful mountains.

We'll be back!" and left with a cheerful greeting, walking home with light steps.