Matcha

Matcha has become synonymous with Japan - the bright green powder now a staple at many coffee shops. Matcha's story is steeped in the vibrant and dramatic history of Japan. Voyaging through the highs and lows of the samurai Shogunate, matcha is embedded in the politics, culture, and spirituality of Japan.

Like loose leaf, the quality of matcha is important and we recommend choosing well in order to really appreciate the best of what matcha can offer. Matcha is conventionally made in a tea bowl instead of the usual cups used for other teas, due to the brewing method.

For one serving use approximately 1/2 teaspoon of powder to the tea bowl with 80ml of water, and whisk to generate a fine froth on top. For a stronger drink add 1 teaspoon of matcha.

Chado

Chado, or "the Way of Tea," is a traditional Japanese tea ceremony that emphasises four key qualities: harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.

Rooted in Zen Buddhism, it transforms the simple act of preparing and drinking matcha into a meditative ritual. Each ceremony is unique, reflecting the seasons and the individual host's spirit, creating a space for mindfulness and connection. Chado is not just about the tea itself, but also about cultivating an inner calm and a sense of community.

The history of chado can be traced back to the 9th century, with influences from Chinese tea culture. However, it began to evolve significantly in Japan during the 12th century when Zen monks introduced tea as a way to enhance meditation. In the 15th century, the aesthetic and philosophical elements of the ceremony were further refined by tea masters like Sen no Rikyū. He emphasised simplicity, natural beauty, and the spiritual aspects of the practice, laying the groundwork for the modern tea ceremony.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), chado became more formalised and widely practiced among the samurai and merchant classes, integrating elements of hospitality and art. The design of tea rooms, the choice of utensils, and the selection of seasonal decor all became significant aspects of the ceremony.

Today, chado continues to be a respected cultural practice, embodying Japanese aesthetics and values, and is often seen as a means of personal and communal expression.

Tea Types

White tea

White tea is another type of non-fermented green tea that could be most closely associated with gyokuro. This is due to the fact that the tea leaves also undergo a shading process, and so produces a similar ...

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Wakoucha

Wakoucha is a special kind of black tea that's only made in Japan. Similar to the Chinese tea classification system (based on steeped colour) the name actually translates as "Japanese Red Tea", denoting the ...

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Hojicha

Hojicha is a roasted green tea with a lovely dry, woody taste that is both soothing and grounding. Due to the roasting process the leaves and liquor are not green, but of a beautiful reddy-brown hue. Hojich...

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Genmaicha

Genmaicha is a popular Japanese tea famed for its delicious toasted flavour and irresistible aroma. Enjoyed for centuries, the tea is a mix of roasted brown rice and green tea. Reassuring and heart-warming,...

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Kabusecha

Kabusecha is a premium type of green tea that sits somewhere between sencha and gyokuro in terms of typical flavour. Sencha, kabusecha and gyokuro can be ordered in their level of umami, with gyokuro being t...

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Kamairicha

A specialty of Kyushu, kamairicha is a type of roasted pan-fired tea that is similar to sencha but more rounded and less grassy, with no astringency and an overall rich yet refreshing palate. Due to the way...

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Tamaryokucha

When one mentions 'tea' in countries such as the UK, people think of black tea or a "cuppa" -  however, when you go to Nagasaki on the southern island of Kyushu, when they say 'tea', they mean tamaryokucha....

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Matcha

Matcha has become synonymous with Japan - the bright green powder now a staple at many coffee shops. Like loose leaf, quality of matcha is important and we recommend choosing well in order to really appreci...

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Gyokuro

Treasured by the Japanese for centuries, gyokuro is renowned for its exceptional quality and taste experience. Also known as 'Jade Dew', the exquisite richness of this tea is the result of a labour intensiv...

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Sencha

Top quality sencha is produced by harvesting the early spring leaves, which are rolled and then undergo a light steaming process before being packaged. The result is a fresh, vegetal aroma, and the drin...

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