The Kamogawa Food Detectives (Kamogawa Food Detectives, #1)

by Hisashi Kashiwai

‘At my age, it’s not quite the whirlwind romance you’re imagining. It’s more about companionship – you know, someone I can share a cup of tea with.’

‘Well, things can taste very different depending on how you’re feeling,’

‘That’s right, Koishi. There’s no such thing as “dessert” in Japanese cuisine. The fruit served at the end of the meal is called mizugashi. We’re not in France, after all!’ said Tae, her nostrils flaring. ‘Really, Tae, you never change, do you? Always fussing over the strangest things . . . I’m not sure it really matters,’ said Nobuko, setting down her bowl. ‘No, it does matter. If you mess around with language like that, it’s culture that suffers. Traditional Japanese sweet dishes are in decline precisely because people insist on calling them English words like “dessert”!’

‘The idea of happiness pitching up in my life like that all of a sudden – it terrified me.’

‘See, Koishi, this is why you still can’t find a husband.’ ‘Not can’t, Dad – don’t want to. Have you seen the men out there? They’re all useless!’

‘You’re still young, aren’t you? All you care about is eating the tastiest food you can. Get to my age and you’ll realize that nostalgia can be just as vital an ingredient.

“We get used to things too easily. You think something’s tasty the first time you eat it, but then you start taking it for granted. Never forget your first impressions.”

‘Married couples are complicated things, Koishi. Sometimes separating just means you’re each able to follow the path you want. Some couples get divorced precisely because of how much they care about each other.’

‘You can be separated in all sorts of ways, and end up very far away from each other, but the bond between you never breaks.