Imagine the delicate scent of fresh tea leaves slowly unfolding in hot water and the aroma of steaming tea filling the room. Are you ready to explore a world of tea where tradition and aesthetics go hand in hand? In this section of our journey through the tea cultures of the world, we will explore Japan and the country's unique approach to tea, where every step of the tea brewing process is a tribute to the moment and the harmony between nature and man.
For several centuries, tea has had a special place in the history and culture of Japan. It all began in the ninth century, when a priest named Saicho brought the first tea to Japan from China in 805. For a long time, tea was reserved for the monks, the upper classes, the samurai and the "important" in society. It was used as a stimulant during meditation in Zen Buddhist temples, and this practice still continues to this day.
Today, there are hundreds of tea schools in Japan, and millions of people work with tea in various capacities. Green tea is a daily part of most Japanese people's lives, and it is also included in cooking, cakes and desserts. But green tea can also be enjoyed and experienced on a higher level through the Japanese tea ceremony, which was established in the 16th century by the Zen monk Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591). The tea ceremony is still regarded today as an art form where Japanese aesthetics and spirituality meet in a demanding discipline that requires years of learning and understanding.
Not least Japan is known for matcha tea – a special green tea that is not dissolved in tea bags, but whipped directly into the hot water as a powder.
What makes Japanese green tea unique is its high quality. The Japanese are known for their meticulous approach to many things, and this also applies to their approach to tea production. They have developed advanced production methods that stand out from the traditional tea processing and techniques we normally associate with tea production.
We love green tea at Nordic Tea - primarily because of the tea's clean, delicate taste and beautiful colour. But is green tea healthy? A new study indicates that there may be something to the matter.
