The History of Matcha

This blog will explore the centuries-old origins of Matcha, a green tea powder known for it vibrant colour and unique taste. We will uncover how the tea evolved from Zen temples to its place in cafe culture. 

Matcha has a rich history spanning centuries, originating in China during the Tang dynasty where tea leaves were steamed, dried and ground into a powder. This practice was evolved by Buddhist monks, notably Eisai, who brought his Zen Buddhist studies back to Japan, along with tea seeds and Zen Buddhist methods of preparing the powdered green tea. During the Kamakura Shogunate (a Japanese military government), the seeds were planted on the temple ground in Kyoto, thus showcasing its status as a luxury item. To this day, Matcha can still be considered as a “splurge” due to the laborious production standards which maximise the health benefits of the tea. This includes taking shaded and young green tea leaves, where only the top three layers of the plant are harvested. They are then steamed to prevent oxidation and ground by stone. 

The Ritual of Matcha 

The Japanese tea ceremony is called “Chado” or “Sado”, meaning “The Way of Tea”. These ceremonies typically last up to an hour, however varies on the style and amount of guests involved. Matcha was integral to tea ceremonies and meditation and was developed over many centuries by many figures into the ceremony it is known as today. 

Zen student, Murata Juko, unified many elements into formalised rituals in the 1500s encompassing cultivation, preparation and consumption of tea

These principles were popularised by Zen master, Sen-no-Rikyu, who became a revered figure in the history of tea ceremonies.  Sen-no-Rikyu’s 4 basic principles included: Harmony, respect, purity and tranquility.

Today, matcha tea ceremonies blend tradition with mindfulness through the enjoyment of matcha. It has gained popularity worldwide and has become a staple for health conscious consumers and for its aesthetic presentation. Nowadays Matcha is more of a splurge as opposed to a status symbol found in the majority of both chain and independent coffee shops, enjoyed by cafe enthusiasts around the globe. However, sourcing high-quality grade matcha can be challenging in the West…