I lately had the fantastic expertise of attending a Japanese Tea Ceremony. It was a possibility to discover conventional Japanese tea tradition and be taught the secrets and techniques of creating the proper matcha.
The tea made at a Japanese Tea Ceremony is named matcha, a powdered inexperienced tea identified for its vibrant coloration and distinctive taste. Matcha is created from shade-grown tea leaves, rigorously harvested, steamed, dried, and floor right into a effective powder.
The Japanese Tea Ceremony demonstration I attended had the most effective matcha I’ve ever tasted. I realized extra concerning the historic context of the Japanese Tea Ceremony and the assorted utensils utilized in its presentation.
Our host was Drew Sodo Hanson, a scholar of the Urasenke Custom of Japanese Tea since 1995 and a licensed trainer on this custom. A educated tea grasp and proprietor of the Boukakuan Japanese Tea Home, he greeted us warmly and guided us by the intricate artwork of the Japanese Tea Ceremony.
The standard Japanese tea ceremony shouldn’t be solely about making matcha but additionally the flower association, how the tea room is designed, and the way the Japanese gardens are constructed. Even the ceramic bowls are chosen to mirror the season. Each element is rigorously curated.
A serene, minimalist tea room is adorned with stunning tatami mats and delicate decorations. The ambiance is extremely calm and peaceable, setting the proper tone for the tea ceremony.
Varied meals are served throughout formal tea ceremonies. I tasted a few of the most scrumptious conventional Japanese sweets usually served at every tea. I particularly loved the mochi, a conventional Japanese rice cake created from glutinous rice, often known as candy or sticky rice. Tropical Fields is the model of mochi we had.
What Is The Japanese Tea Ceremony?
Chado is the Japanese Approach of Tea, with many philosophical foundations expressed by the tea ceremony.
The Japanese Tea Ceremony, often known as “sado” or “chanoyu,” is a extremely ritualized and inventive observe that embodies the essence of Japanese tradition and hospitality. It’s a ceremonial means of getting ready and serving matcha with the utmost care, precision, and reverence.
A Japanese Tea Ceremony is a novel and immersive expertise that permits individuals to understand the harmonious mix of aesthetics, mindfulness, and social interplay.
Historical past of The Japanese Tea Ceremony
The formal tea ceremony originated in Japan through the ninth century. It gained prominence within the sixteenth century when Sen no Rikyu, a famend tea grasp, refined the artwork kind and established the foundational rules of the tea ceremony which are adopted immediately.
Rikyu emphasised the ideas of concord (wa), respect (kei), purity (sei), and tranquility (jaku), which function the guiding rules for the tea ceremony and are deeply rooted in Japanese traditions, aesthetics, and Zen Buddhism.
When getting into a conventional tea home or room, you’re transported to a serene and meditative ambiance. The tea home is usually a easy wood construction with a small door designed to decrease the significance of self and create a way of tranquility, intimacy, and interior peace.
Its structure is influenced by the Zen philosophy of Buddhist monks, with minimalistic parts that emphasize the pure fantastic thing about the environment.
Arriving at The Japenese Tea Ceremony
Our demonstration was in a gathering room, however in a typical tea ceremony, you’re welcomed by the host or hostess chargeable for conducting the tea ceremony. Hanson, our host, was wearing a conventional kimono and exuded a way of grace and hospitality.
Earlier than getting into a conventional tea room, you might be invited to purify your self by rinsing your fingers and mouth with a stone basin referred to as a “tsukubai,” symbolizing the transition from the surface world to the sacred house of the tea room.
The tea room is meticulously organized with rigorously chosen objects, every holding symbolic that means. The point of interest is the “tokonoma,” an alcove displaying a scroll portray or calligraphy, setting the ceremony’s tone and theme.
The tea utensils, together with the tea bowl (chawan), tea scoop (chashaku), tea caddy (natsume), and bamboo whisk (chasen), have been all organized in an aesthetically pleasing method.
The ceremony begins as soon as the visitors are seated in a selected order, following the predetermined etiquette. Hanson carried out sleek and deliberate actions choreographed to create a harmonious and meditative ambiance.
Each gesture was executed with precision and mindfulness, from how the tea is scooped, whisked, and poured to the position of every utensil.
Making ready The Matcha
Step one was getting ready the matcha powder itself. Excessive-quality matcha is essential for attaining that wealthy, vibrant taste. The tea leaves are rigorously cultivated and shaded earlier than floor right into a effective powder. Hanson defined that the most effective matcha is brilliant inexperienced, indicating its freshness and high quality.
As soon as the matcha powder was prepared, he moved on to the following step: utilizing a “chasen” bamboo whisk to combine the powder with scorching water. That is the place the magic occurs! Hanson taught us the significance of making a clean, frothy consistency by whisking in a fast, zigzag movement.
Now, this is the key to creating the most effective matcha: the temperature of the water. Hanson emphasised the importance of utilizing water that is not too scorching, as it may scorch the fragile matcha leaves and have an effect on the style.
Sometimes, the water temperature suggestion is round 160-175°F (70-80°C) for matcha. This temperature ensures that the matcha retains its refined flavors and would not grow to be bitter. Nonetheless, he really useful utilizing heat water at an excellent decrease temperature to keep away from any bitter style of the tea.
Each element is targeted, guaranteeing the tea has excellent consistency and taste. The bowl of tea was then offered to every visitor individually. Receiving it’s a second of gratitude and appreciation.
Tea Grasp Ideas
Hanson made a couple of suggestions for the proper matcha:
- Use a water temperature of 150°F (66°C). He defined the simplest strategy to obtain this temperature is to boil the water, then let it sit for ten minutes earlier than pouring it over the matcha.
- Hold contemporary matcha in a sealed tin within the fridge. Place the sealed container in a zipper lock bag to maintain out moisture.
- Sift matcha by a effective sieve earlier than getting ready to stop clumping.
- Buy straight from matcha farmers in Japan. The assets web page on their web site lists a couple of totally different distributors. Horaido is their primary Boukakuan home tea.
- Our host purchases his matcha straight from farmers in Japan for the most effective matcha. Just some could have the chance to do this. If not, Ippodo Tea is a superb supply of Japanese matcha.
The Exact Ceremonial Means of Making Matcha:
- Collect the utensils: The host or hostess prepares the required tea utensils, together with a tea bowl (chawan), tea scoop (chashaku), tea whisk (chasen), and tea caddy (natsume). These utensils are often manufactured from bamboo, ceramic, or lacquerware.
- Heat the tea bowl: The host or hostess warms it by pouring scorching water into it and swirling it gently. This course of helps to keep up the temperature of the tea throughout preparation.
- Measure the matcha: Utilizing the tea scoop (chashaku), the host or hostess rigorously measures the suitable quantity of matcha powder and locations it within the tea bowl. The quantity of matcha used can differ relying on private desire and the kind of tea ceremony.
- Add scorching water: The host or hostess pours scorching water into the tea bowl containing the matcha. The water is added step by step to the matcha and whisked utilizing the tea whisk (chasen).
- Whisk the tea: The host or hostess vigorously whisks the matcha and scorching water in a back-and-forth movement, making a frothy and creamy consistency. The purpose is to realize a clean, uniform texture with none clumps. Matcha is sifted earlier than use to stop lumps.
- Examine and admire: Earlier than serving the tea, the host or hostess takes a second to admire the ready matcha, appreciating its vibrant inexperienced coloration and the froth on the floor. This step demonstrates the host’s consideration to element and mindfulness.
- Serve the tea: The tea bowl is held with the fitting hand, and the left hand helps the underside. The host or hostess turns the tea bowl barely to current the entrance of the bowl to the visitor, indicating that it is able to be obtained.
Ingesting Ceremonial Matcha Correctly
When serving tea to visitors, there’s a particular Japanese tea ceremony etiquette to observe:
- The visitor receives the tea bowl with their proper hand and locations it of their left hand.
- Earlier than consuming, the visitor rotates the bowl clockwise twice, acknowledging appreciation to the host.
- The visitor then takes small sips, having fun with the flavour and texture of the matcha.
- After ending the tea, the visitor can use their proper hand to rotate the tea bowl counterclockwise and look at its design or craftsmanship if desired.
- Lastly, the visitor returns the tea bowl to the host with each fingers, expressing gratitude for the expertise.
Sipping the tea is a meditative expertise. The flavour of matcha is distinct, wealthy, and clean. Company are inspired to savor every sip, appreciating the tea’s aroma, texture, and style. Through the tea ceremony, the dialog is stored minimal, and silence is usually noticed to reinforce the contemplative nature of the expertise.
Associated:
Past the tea itself, the tea ceremony represents a profound cultural and philosophical custom. It embodies rules of mindfulness, simplicity, and interconnectedness with nature. The tea ceremony encourages visitors to be current in the meanwhile, discover magnificence in simplicity, and admire life’s transient nature.
The Japanese tea ceremony is a extremely ritualized observe, and there could also be variations within the particular steps and utensils used relying on the actual tea ceremony, college, or fashion. The intricacies and particulars of the tea ceremony are sometimes realized by devoted research and observe.
Tea Ceremony Impressions
After 9 years of Catholic Faculty, I could not assist however see similarities to the Celebration of the Eucharist through the tea masters’ exact preparation and serving of matcha. Each ceremonies are extremely ritualistic, symbolic, and solemn, with a deep reverence for the host or, on this case, tea.
Hanson defined that Japanese tea masters straight borrowed rituals or practices from the Jesuit missionaries’ Celebration of the Eucharist. The Jesuits have been chargeable for introducing Christianity to Japan. St. Francis Xavier, SJ, and the Jesuits landed in Japan in 1549, establishing a number of Jesuit communities.
Despite the fact that the event of the Japanese Tea Ceremony predates the arrival of Jesuit missionaries in Japan by a number of centuries, they might have been influential.
The Greatest Matcha I Ever Tasted
The aroma of the freshly ready matcha was extremely inviting, and the colourful inexperienced coloration was visually charming. With anticipation, I took my first sip; it was like nothing I might ever tasted!
The flavour of the matcha was clean and subtly candy. It had a pleasing umami undertone that lingered on my palate. I may admire the craftsmanship that went into cultivating and getting ready the matcha, making the expertise all of the extra particular.
Attending a Japanese tea ceremony isn’t just concerning the tea; it’s an immersive journey into the center of Japanese aesthetics, historical past, and spirituality. It is a chance to expertise the Japanese tradition’s grace and tranquility, leaving you with a way of concord and peace.
The instruction taught me the aim of the tea ceremony and the effective artwork of creating matcha which deepened my appreciation for its wealthy cultural heritage. Though not a non secular ceremony, it’s a religious one designed to understand and revere the fantastic thing about simplicity, nature, and connections between individuals.
In the event you can attend a Japanese tea ceremony, I extremely advocate it. The unforgettable expertise may spoil you for every other matcha you will ever have.
Bear in mind the secrets and techniques: high-quality Japanese matcha, the fitting water temperature, and the fragile whisking approach. Cheers to an ideal cup of matcha! 🍵
