A Guide to Japanese Tea.
A Japanese tea garden is lined with residences and paths that lead to a Japanese tea store.The tea gardens are usually private and in secluded places separated from the ordinary world lifestyle.The gardens are special places for strolling and experience the serene atmosphere.
Within the tea garden or Roji in Japanese, there are paths with stepping stone placement to keep your focus on the ground as you walk across the garden.Throughout the year, the tea garden is evergreen.
Tea was first grown in Japan in the early 8th century and was mainly consumed for medicinal purposes. Japanese tea ceremony is based on the contents of a book written centuries ago by Chinese Buddhist priests.Chinese Buddhist priests in their book described what now forms the basis of the Japanese tea ceremony. Tea was used by priests and monks to assist them in practice meditation.The tea gardens signify a particular spiritual and religious attachment for the Japanese people as well as the visitors.There are golden rules made to make sure that the tea gardens always appear natural and not as artificial.
The Japanese view on tea and drinking on tea arose in the Heian period when tea was a rare commodity in Japan. People would come together during the tea ceremony to celebrate drinking the scarce commodity.
More than four hours are spent during the tea ceremony.Carefully Planned activities are conducted during the tea ceremony. Before the tea ceremony begins, the guests may sometimes be served with light meals. During the tea ceremony, tea is served and shared using a single bowl to all participants.
During the ceremony, two types of teas are served namely: the Matcha and the Sencha. The matcha tea is a traditional, bitter, thick, milky green tea while sencha is the common green tea drank on normal occasions.
Powdered Matcha and bamboo whisk are used by tea masters to make the tea which is served in bowls in Japanese tea shops.several rules are adhered to during the drinking of tea which accompanying paraphernalia such as carrying bags, tea-boxes, and use of bowls.
Japanese teas are prepared traditionally and served on bowls which are of different sizes, shapes and thickness depending on the unique characteristics of the tea. Bowls that are taller in relation to their width are used to serve casual tea since they are easier to hold. Matcha and Sencha which are high-grade aromatic teas are served using small half-circled bowls.When serving the low-grade Japanese tea types, big wide bowls are used.
The popular tea currently consumed in Japan is the green tea.Japanese tea companies have been known for their manufacture of the green tea which is sometimes used as medicine.The green tea is extracted from the leaves of Camellia sinensis although different varieties exists.
