Matcha (which is pronounced "Ma Cha") is a Japanese green tea ground into a powder and whisked into the water, as opposed to steeping like other tea. By consuming the whole leaf in this manner you are getting all the benefits the plant has to offer, as well as the caffeine!
The history of drinking powdered green tea starts in China before it was introduced to Japan by Buddhist monks in the 10th century. However, as powdered tea fell out of fashion in China, the Japanese continued to refine and improve the process of making and drinking matcha. The development of the Japanese tea ceremony as we know it today would take 500 years to perfect and is based on four basic principles: harmony (wa), respect (kei), purity (sei) and tranquility (jaku).
Whether you are making a quick cup of matcha to start your day or presenting a bowl for your most honored guests, we hope that these principles are carried with you as you enjoy your tea.
In Tang Dynasty (618–907) of China tea leaves were steamed and formed into tea bricks for storage and trade. The tea was prepared by roasting and pulverizing the tea, and decocting the resulting tea powder in hot water.
In the Song Dynasty (960–1279), the method of making tea by whipping the tea powder and hot water together in a bowl became popular. Preparation and consumption of powdered tea was formed into a ritual by Zen Buddhists.
Zen Buddhism and the Chinese methods of preparing powdered tea were brought to Japan in 1191 by the monk Eisai. Powdered tea is no longer popular in China, but in Japan it continued to be an important item at Zen monasteries, and became highly appreciated by others in the upper echelons of society during the 14th through 16th centuries.
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