台灣味和歐洲故事 Traveling delight, from Taiwan to Europe（English version follows）
該帶些什麼伴手禮呢？
今年歐洲旅行出發前，這個問題困擾了我好一陣子。想起許多要拜訪的朋友們，有些來過台灣、或是曾在這裡居住，有些朋友從未認識關於台灣的種種…熱愛吃喝玩樂的我這時想到也許食物就是最好的選擇；充滿溫度、香氣和故事的食物，無論何時何地，都是最佳的開話題 top 3，也能讓彼此共享的時光，多些美味的想像。
決定了以食物為主軸之後，立馬衝去SoFresh採購伴手禮。
SoFresh一直都是我很喜愛的一家店，在5步一正妹10步一貴婦的東區 216 巷，街角有一家賣著在地小農生產的生鮮蔬果小超市（旁邊就是著名的週末248農學市集），小小的綠色招牌，有時一不小心就會錯過，但只要去過之後，從此腦袋裡就會自建味覺導航，再也不會忘記。
麻雀雖小五臟俱全，明亮清爽的SoFresh有著各式各樣的在地小農商品，風味清甜的紅芭樂果醬、台東黑暗部落的清香金針花、帶有木質沈穩香氣的蜂蜜或是溫潤濃郁的日月潭紅茶...每個店員都像是殷勤又溫柔的說書人，耐心的一遍遍訴說著每一個商品背後的故事，那些屬於台灣的故事。
不是什麼驚天動地的3D動畫大製作等級的故事，就只是一個串連起這塊土地、在這塊土地上努力的人，和在貨架上拿起一隻台東釋迦冰棒的人的故事。
今年夏天就在我結束英國旅程後前往義大利的同時，收到英國好友 C 傳來的email，信裡C說著他和孩子們用我帶去的古早愛玉籽一起親手搓愛玉，然後在那個小小的白色廚房喝著檸檬愛玉冰的照片。
用大概一公升的飲用水（帶點礦物質的英國硬水更適合，SoFresh之前還提醒我如果是完全無雜質的純水，反而很難成功搓出愛玉），把愛玉籽放入包裝裡附上的細棉布袋，在水中努力的搓個20~30分鐘，可以感覺到膠質逐漸溶出在水中，直到棉布袋開始出現有點澀澀的手感時，就可以把整鍋愛玉放到冰箱稍微冰個30分鐘，再加入調好的新鮮檸檬糖水，就大功告成。
我還記得那個正對著後院的小廚房，洗手槽前面就是一扇窗，初夏時節望出去整個後院熱鬧的開滿了各色小花；我想像著那個冰涼酸甜的夏天午後，陽光輕快地走進了廚房，像是走在雲端上一樣。
金黃色閃耀著蜂蜜色澤的微笑。是我最想念的故事。
關於「SoFresh 太平洋鮮活」
Add.：106台北市大安區忠孝東路四段216巷27弄16號
Tel.：（02）8772-2901
What souvenirs should I bring for my
friends (and friends-to-be) in Europe during my visit this time?
This question came to me when I packed, though it didn’t take me too long to decide. As a person who always enjoys food and the good time comes along with it, I think edible souvenir from Taiwan should be the best idea, definitely.
This question came to me when I packed, though it didn’t take me too long to decide. As a person who always enjoys food and the good time comes along with it, I think edible souvenir from Taiwan should be the best idea, definitely.
Right at this moment, SoFresh, one of my
favourite shops here in Taipei, just pops to my mind, the whole decision-making
process just went unbelievably smooth.
To me, SoFresh not only sells local food
products, but also the ideas behinds them, which is the reason why I love them.
Located in the trendiest East Area in Taipei, this small shop in the basement
stands there around the corner, with a green sign welcoming people to its surprisingly
lovely urban oasis.
It offers so many things with diversity,
and all the products come with a story. Pink guava jam with a bright sweet
taste, dried golden daylily from the Dark Tribe in TaiTung (the east part of
Taiwan), local-produced honey with a low-profile wooden aroma, or the famous
Sun-Moon-Lake black tea smells just so gentle and warm. And the staff there,
all like sweet storytellers, patiently telling all the stories about the product
again and again. The stories that shape Taiwan.
Not the kind of 3D special effect big cast fancy story. Just a story that goes through this land beneath our feet, people who work hard on this land, and the people who curiously pick up a fresh custard apple popsicle from the shelf.
Not the kind of 3D special effect big cast fancy story. Just a story that goes through this land beneath our feet, people who work hard on this land, and the people who curiously pick up a fresh custard apple popsicle from the shelf.
During this trip when I was trying to
survive in the crazy summer heat in Italy, I received an email from C in
England. Attaching a photo and a simple note, tells me about a special
afternoon date that C and his kids had, with the Ai-Yu jelly DIY set I brought
them. Enjoying this light and delicate summer dessert seasoned with fresh lemon
juice and a bit sugar. In their little cute white kitchen.
I remember that kitchen. There is a window above the sink; from that window I always enjoy seeing a very vibrant colourful garden scene during my stay at early summer time. I imagine their icy sweet afternoon, with a bit refreshing sour rhyme. The sunlight walks into the kitchen, like gently walking on the clouds.
I remember that kitchen. There is a window above the sink; from that window I always enjoy seeing a very vibrant colourful garden scene during my stay at early summer time. I imagine their icy sweet afternoon, with a bit refreshing sour rhyme. The sunlight walks into the kitchen, like gently walking on the clouds.
And
there is that golden honey coloured smile. Exactly the story I miss the
most.
About SoFersh
Add.：No.16, Aly. 27, Ln. 216, Sec. 4, Zhongxiao E. Rd., Da’an Dist., Taipei City
Tel.：（02）8772-2901
And if you want to know more about Ai-Yu jelly, the traditional Taiwan summer dessert - https://goo.gl/vb1Zjz
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