15 CURIOSITIES ABOUT THE THOUSAND-YEAR-OLD JAPANESE TRADITION OF TEA

Tea (茶cha) is a fundamental element of Japanese culture, so much so that it deserves an entirely dedicated ceremony : consumed daily in Japan, over time it has also become famous in the rest of the world, thanks to its nutritional properties and its refreshing taste. Today we're talking to you about the 15 things you absolutely need to know to start your journey to discover this drink!

1. The tea ceremony. In Japanese Cha No Yu , it is an intense and personal experience , in which the act of preparing tea becomes a moment of true Zen meditation. In the chashitsu , the tea room where the ceremony traditionally takes place, matcha green tea is usually served together with small Japanese sweets, wagashi , which balance its bitter taste.

2. How to serve tea. There is a correct way to serve tea, which requires the presence of two elements: a yunomi , a type of ceramic teacup, and its saucer to be placed underneath it. The yunomi must never be filled to the brim and if it is accompanied by sweets, it must be placed to the left of the guest. Be careful not to let it slide on the table, it would be a serious mistake!

3. Drink tea. Even in this case there are some precautions to follow. It is necessary to hold the cup with both hands, both for good manners and for convenience: traditional cups usually do not have handles, the yunomi must therefore be grasped with the right hand, while the left holds it from below. It is important not to make noise while drinking, it is considered a sign of rudeness.

4. Japanese cups. In addition to the absence of handles, Japanese teacups are very small and have a limited capacity. Their dimensions are designed so that the tea is served in small quantities, to prevent it from cooling down quickly. In fact, tea, if enjoyed hot and slowly, offers many nuances of flavor and a more marked aroma.

5. Preparation bowls. Usucha-ki and koicha-ki are the containers used for preparing tea: they are real bowls used to process matcha in different ways, giving rise to two different results: a denser tea and a thinner one, with a lighter consistency. A curiosity? Preparation bowls can have different shapes and styles depending on the season in which they are used!

6. The beauty of imperfection. According to the Japanese wabi-sabi vision, imperfections make objects and people aesthetically more beautiful. Objects with cracks should therefore not be thrown away: the cracks are covered with gold dust and joined together using a special lacquer called urushi . This particular restoration technique, which takes the name of kintsugi , has been popular for years even abroad thanks to its touching meaning!
7. Tea ceremony training schools . Being able to take part in a tea ceremony without making too many mistakes is not easy. It takes years of study to understand and respect all the rules. To learn this art there are many training schools, in which every detail is taught with the utmost meticulousness: from the furnishings of the room to the color of the ornamental flowers, from the type of tea to the design of the cup, up to the elegance of the movements.

8.The geisha in the tea ritual. In the past, the geisha was considered an artist who had the task of entertaining guests during tea ceremonies through dances and songs. Today, this figure is still present in some tea houses, such as Maikoya in Kyoto, to provide an unmissable cultural experience.

9. Myths and legends. Tea was introduced to Japan between the 8th and 9th centuries. According to legend, it was the Buddhist monk Bodhidarma (to whom an extravagant doll that we told you about here is also dedicated) who gave rise to the plant. After falling asleep during meditation, he decided to tear off his eyelids so it wouldn't happen again: it was precisely when his eyelids touched the ground that the tea plant was born!

10. Kuchikiri no Gi ceremony. It is the ceremony dedicated to matcha tea, celebrated every first Sunday of October, during which special jars are opened, containing aged tencha tea leaves which, if crushed, give rise to matcha. Tea is offered to those present and symbolically also to the ancestors, to show respect and gratitude.

11. Gifts for special occasions. The Japanese usually give green tea as gifts on special occasions. The reason is purely symbolic: green tea symbolizes good health and longevity; furthermore, tea plants are very resistant and it is thought that these qualities are transferred into the drink and therefore absorbed by those who use it.

12. Green Tea Day. The Japanese passion for green tea culminates in Green Tea Day, which is celebrated in Japan on the 88th day after risshun , the first day of spring. This day also marks the start of the new harvest season: it is believed that those who can drink the teas of the first harvest will enjoy good health for the entire year!

14.The uses of green tea. The uses of green tea are many. It is often used as a water substitute or used in food production: it is very common for tea houses or bars to offer tea snacks, such as mochi filled with green tea or tasty dorayaki with matcha tea dough. When used as a drink it is often served plain, so as not to alter its original taste.
15. Where to drink tea. There is no place in Japan that doesn't sell tea, hot or cold, green or black. It is found in almost all restaurants, supermarkets, kiosks or distributors and is also an economical drink: as a substitute for water, it is often served for free during the meal.

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