About Matcha

Matcha is a type of green tea made from dried tea leaves that are ground into a fine powder. It’s said that when Eisai, the founder of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, returned from China in around 1191, he brought back tea seeds and introduced a method of mixing powdered tea with hot water.

He presented the tea to shogun Minamoto no Sanetomo–spreading matcha to the warrior class. By the Nanbokucho period (1337-1392), it was a popular drink among common folk.

The seeds Eisai brought over were also planted and cultivated by Buddhist monks. It was not until the 1500s that the ritual of the tea ceremony was perfected under the principles of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility by tea master Sen no Rikyu.

Rules differ depending on tea schools, but traditional Japanese tea ceremonies as we know it today are held in minimalistic tea rooms surrounded by a garden. Participants are asked to refrain from wearing gaudy clothing or strong perfumes.

Utensils used during the ceremony include a kettle and brazier, a “natsume” (green tea container), a “chasuku” (tea scoop), a “chasen” (tea whisk), a “chawan” (tea bowl), and a plate for Japanese sweets. Each item is important and plays an essential role in carrying out specific rituals.

Read further to learn about the importance of a matcha bowl and how to find the right one for you!