Japanese Tea Ceremony: The Way of Tea, Matcha, and the Secrets of Japanese Culture

History of the Japanese Tea Ceremony

William Gladstone once said, "If you are cold, tea will warm you. If you are warm, tea will cool you. If you are depressed, tea will cheer you. If you are excited, tea will calm you." We bow to these words of the British Prime Minister, but tea rituals and traditions entered Europe much, much later than its discovery.

Did you know that tea, whether hot or cold, is the second most consumed beverage in the world, and in 2005, December 15 was officially declared International Tea Day. Before we introduce you to the Japanese tea tradition, which we will examine in the following lines, let's go back in time a little to understand why tea is so valued and praised by the Japanese.

There is no exact data on when the first tea was discovered, but it is known that this happened in China before 2700 BC and out of respect it is attributed to the Chinese emperor Shen Nung. Around 2000, tea collection and regular consumption were already a fact and although tea as such was entering Europe
only 400 years ago, the Japanese were among the first nations to enjoy it around the 9th century.

In Japan, green tea was brought by Buddhist monks and was initially considered a medicine. It was intended only for the upper class and inaccessible to ordinary people. In the second half of the 12th century, when tea had already gained immense popularity in Japan, a prominent priest began his research on the benefits of drinking tea and even wrote a book in which he detailed all the health benefits of consuming green tea, especially matcha tea . Very soon, Japanese matcha tea established itself as the main tea, which occupies an honorable place both on the Japanese table and in various religious rituals. Matcha became the tea for the Japanese tea ceremony, today the embodiment of the entire Japanese culture and known far beyond the borders of the Land of the Rising Sun.

Along with quenching thirst, Japanese matcha tea helps regulate digestion (helps us to have a slim figure), reduces the harmful effects of alcohol consumption, improves brain function and concentration, protects against cardiovascular diseases, and according to recent studies, against cancer.

Matcha is rich in vitamins A and C, calcium, potassium, iron, and many other nutrients, making it one of the most powerful superfoods. It can also be considered a unique green tea because, unlike its counterparts, it is available on the market in the form of a fine green powder, not as dried leaves.
The intense aroma and rich taste of matcha make it the perfect tea for the Japanese tea ceremony, known as Chanoyu or Chado. The former literally translates as "hot water for tea" and the latter as "the way of tea."

The Japanese tea ceremony originally emerged as an attempt to adapt Chinese tea drinking traditions to the characteristics of the Japanese. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Japan experienced a real boom in terms of art, culture, and the acquisition of its own national identity. Where did matcha tea go? It became the center of tea preparation and serving during the tea ceremony, which usually lasted about 3 hours. As you can guess, such tea ceremonies were intended only for nobles, and for the host, this often involved years of training, so as not to
presented to his guests.

Nowadays, Japanese green tea, including matcha, is considered one of the most elite teas, as well as the most popular. Yes, the price of matcha tea for a ceremony is unlikely to please you, but on the other hand, the price almost always determines the quality. We sincerely wish you to enjoy matcha tea for a Japanese tea ceremony someday, and who knows? With a little
more knowledge, you can even organize your own tea ceremony in the spirit of the Land of the Rising Sun.
To conclude, we will use a quote from the Japanese scientist and writer Kakuzo Okakura, who is one of the most striking and memorable figures in the field of culture and art, who shares that "Tea is a religion of art for life." We fully support this statement, because tea is not an ordinary drink, but a true experience for our soul and body. Especially Japanese ceremonial matcha tea.

Welcome to the Momenti online store , where you can enjoy a wide range of teas, including matcha, and immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere of tea traditions from different cultures. Don't miss our other interesting tea articles on the Momenti blog!