A Sweet Lesson: Japanese Culture and Organic Chemistry at Cedarwood

Cedarwood’s eighth-grade class recently had a Japanese lesson full of cultural exploration and scientific discovery. This engaging experience blended the eighth-grade study of organic chemistry with two traditional aspects of Japanese culture: the making of the delicate sweet kohakuto and the brewing of sencha, fresh Japanese tea.

The Season of Newly Picked Tea

In Japan, May is celebrated as the season for newly picked tea. This period marks the perfect time for enjoying the fresh, vibrant flavors of sencha, a type of green tea. Cedarwood’s 8th graders embraced this tradition by learning how to prepare and enjoy sencha, a process that introduced them to the use of Japanese tea utensils. Despite many students handling these tools for the first time, they quickly mastered the techniques, resulting in delicious, aromatic tea.

Discovering Kohakuto

The highlight of the cultural lesson was the making of kohakuto a traditional Japanese sweet with a rich history. Originating in the Nara period and evolving into its current form during the Edo period, kohakuto is known for its beautiful, gem-like appearance and delicate taste. What makes this sweet particularly fascinating is the week-long process required to create it.

Bridging Chemistry and Culinary Arts

Kohakuto provided a perfect bridge between the students’ prior studies and their current eighth grade curriculum. In fifth grade, the students learned about seaweed, an essential ingredient in many Japanese dishes. More recently, in their middle school science classes, they explored the chemical reactions between alkaline and acidic substances. Kohakuto, made using agar derived from seaweed, offers a tangible example of these chemical principles in action.

The 8th graders left the lesson with more than just a taste of Japan. They gained a deeper understanding of how cultural traditions and scientific principles can intertwine, enriching their appreciation for both. This memorable experience not only enhanced their knowledge but also fostered their growing global curiosity.

Written in collaboration with Cedarwood’s Japanese teacher, Kumiko Sammler.