[Sakura Quiz] Trivia & Fun Facts Quiz about Cherry Blossoms for Kids

It makes you more prone to feeling excited

Cherry blossom pollen contains a stimulant called ephedrine. The fragrances and components found in cherry blossoms can lift the spirit and brighten the mood. In spring, cherry blossoms such as the commonly seen Somei Yoshino in Japan spread a sweet scent along with their pollen, helping to cheer people up.

elegant woman

One of the flower meanings of cherry blossoms is “a graceful woman.” Because cherry blossoms bloom elegantly in soft colors, they have been compared to gentle and beautiful women. Varieties commonly seen in Japan, such as Somei Yoshino, also produce quiet, beautiful blossoms in spring. Owing to this refined and gentle image, cherry blossoms were given the flower meaning of “a graceful woman.”

Hangover prevention

The scent of cherry blossoms is said to help prevent hangovers. The leaves and flowers of cherry trees contain an aromatic compound called coumarin, which is thought to help regulate the body’s condition. This fragrance is also found in the leaves used for sakuramochi. In particular, the leaves of Oshima-zakura, known for their strong fragrance, have long been used in foods and allow people to enjoy their refreshing aroma.

Rose

Among plants, cherry trees belong to the rose family. Cherries are also members of the Rosaceae, characterized by flowers and buds that resemble those of roses. The Somei Yoshino, commonly seen in Japan, is part of this family as well and blooms beautifully in spring. In other words, even if they look different, cherries and roses are related, like members of the same extended family.

Oshima cherry

The leaves used for sakuramochi are from the Oshima cherry. Oshima cherry leaves have a sweet, refreshing fragrance. For this reason, they are often used as the leaves that wrap sakuramochi. When the rice cake is wrapped with leaves that have been preserved in salt, their aroma transfers to it, making it even more delicious. As a popular spring wagashi, sakuramochi tastes even better thanks to the fragrance of Oshima cherry leaves.

Because the winter temperatures aren’t very low

In general, cherry trees form new buds in summer and then enter dormancy to prepare for autumn and winter. When they are exposed to a certain level of low temperatures from autumn through winter, they sense that spring is approaching, awaken, and bloom as temperatures rise. In Okinawa, however, the average temperature is around 18°C even in winter, so this condition is not met and Somei Yoshino cherry trees do not bloom.

Somei Yoshino (Yoshino cherry)

In Japan, the Somei Yoshino cherry is used to declare the start of the cherry blossom season. The declaration is announced when a few flowers bloom on designated cherry trees at specified locations. Because the same variety of cherry trees is planted in many places across Japan, it serves as a guideline to signal the arrival of spring. The annual blossom declaration reported in the news is determined based on the blooming of Somei Yoshino flowers.