Matcha is the pride of Japan's superfood. There is a traditional ceremony for drinking it.
That is the “tea ceremony”! There are various manners.
Here are 5 manners to master the tea ceremony for beginners.
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You do not have to wear a kimono
Many people may imagine a tea ceremony, where one wears a kimono and enjoys matcha, but it is not always necessary to wear a kimono. Men should wear plain suits and women should avoid pants and wear white socks. It is sufficient to avoid flashy accessories and to dress in clean clothes.
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Be careful where you sit?
At a tea ceremony, the 正客(first guest) sits near the host, the "亭主Teishu" in japanese.
The second and third guests sit next, and the last is the otsume. Otsume also known as a “last guest (末客)”, is a person who is responsible for facilitating and attentive to the whole ceremony. First guest and otsume are decided in advance by the host, who calls them in advance.
They play a key role in the tea ceremony.
The first guest is the only one who can communicate with the host, while the otsume, also known as the "end of the table," is responsible for ensuring that the tea ceremony runs smoothly. Please be careful where you sit so as not to disturb those who are in charge of the tea ceremony!
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How to eat Wagashi
At tea ceremonies, delicious wagashi are served. Wagashi is a traditional japanese sweets. To go with the bitter matcha, it is usually filled with sweet azuki bean paste and covered with rice cake(mochi) on the outside. Do not immediately take a bite of the colorful and delicious-looking wagashi just because it appears in front of you. Wait for the host to say, "Go ahead," and then bow and say, "Itadakimasu(thank you for the meal)," before eating.
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How to drink Matcha
Now, it's time for matcha tea. In fact, there is a certain etiquette for drinking matcha. This may seem a little weird to those who have never experienced it before, but let's experience it as a part of Japanese traditional culture.
Pick up the bowl with your right hand and place it in front of you.
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Turn the bowl twice clockwise over your left hand.
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Drink the matcha in three or four sips, ending with a sizzling sound to indicate that you have finished drinking.
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Turn the teacup counterclockwise twice.
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Place the bowl outside the rim and return it to the position in which it was served after observing the overall shape of the bowl.
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Have a spirit of enjoying traditional Japanese culture
The manners and formalities at this tea ceremony are almost nothing like those practiced in modern Japanese life. Many of the movements may be unfamiliar to young people. However, as a Japanese culture that has been passed down from generation to generation, how about enjoying a cross-cultural experience? In Japan, there are many places that you can actually experience tea ceremony classes.
Matcha contains a variety of nutrients and is even called Japan's "super food" by some.
🍵Benefit of Matcha 🍵
Just one cup of matcha is equal in nutrients to drinking 10 cups of brewed green tea, meaning our body benefits from lots of antioxidants. This impressive blend of antioxidants helps to enhance our immune system, helping to fight disease and infection while promoting healthy bones, heart health and brain health to name but a few.
iimono will offer matcha sets that make it easy to experience authentic matcha at home. It's coming soon!
Keep checking back on the New Products page! ☞NEW – iimono (shopiimono.com)
Matcha Tea Set Details Spoiler !
*Tin of Casa Cura Organic Matcha
*Chasen - a bamboo whisk
*Kuse Naoshi - ceramic whisk holder
*Chawan - a ceramic matcha bowl
*Chashaku - a bamboo matcha spoon
Why not take this opportunity to experience the wonders of matcha?