Why Preparing Matcha Is a Key Way To Unlock a Zen State of Mind, According to a Japanese Buddhist Priest

For higher and for worse, matcha has develop into a totally mainstream, commodified product within the U.S. The Japanese inexperienced tea beverage (or iterations thereof) will be discovered on Starbucks menus and large field retailer cabinets. And there have by no means been so many matcha manufacturers to select from.

For Reverend Takafumi Kawakami, a meditation advisor for Cuzen Matcha and head priest at Shunkoin Temple in Kyoto, Japan, consuming a cup of matcha means a lot greater than getting a fast repair of caffeine. Actually, Kawakami, who has devoted the final twenty years of his profession to spreading his wealth of data on Zen, a college of Buddhism centered on meditation (he even hosted a TED Speak about it!), says matcha is an integral a part of his observe and spirituality.

“Matcha has historic connections to Zen Buddhism, significantly in Japan,” Kawakami explains. “Zen monks included matcha into their meditation rituals to assist them keep alert and targeted whereas sustaining a way of calmness. The method of getting ready and consuming matcha grew to become a meditative observe, encouraging mindfulness and non secular consciousness.”

Except for the apparent undeniable fact that matcha is well-loved for its caffeine and sturdy L-theanine content material (a happiness-boosting amino acid linked to boosting longevity), Kawakami  says there’s extra to understand. He encourages of us to look past the dietary details to discover a deeper, non secular reference to the beverage. Forward, Kawakami delves into the meditative observe that goes behind getting ready matcha served throughout a Japanese tea ceremony and the way adopting this easy observe can encourage discovering Zen (slowing down and discovering your internal peace) and working towards mindfulness in your day by day routine.

The cultural and non secular significance of matcha in Japanese custom

Though the origins of inexperienced tea will be traced way back to the eighth century in China, it wasn’t till the 1100s that matcha (the powdered type of inexperienced tea leaves) started to achieve recognition in Japan. That is due to Myoan Eisai, a Zen Buddhist monk, who reportedly launched matcha to Japan and established its reference to spirituality, meditation, and on a regular basis temple practices early on. “Matcha is deeply ingrained in Japanese tradition and historical past. It has been consumed for hundreds of years and is taken into account an integral a part of Japanese identification,” Kawakami says.

Though matcha is closely rooted in its reference to spirituality, Kawakami says the multifaceted inexperienced powder can also be celebrated past the confines of the temple as of late. “From conventional tea ceremonies to fashionable culinary creations, matcha continues to be celebrated as an emblem of Japanese heritage and cultural pleasure,” he says.

The connection between matcha and Zen Buddhism

For Kawakami, Zen is the observe of getting a direct expertise of ourselves. “Usually, we’re specializing in our conceptual existence or narrative self. We predict and attempt to analyze and consider ourselves with logic. Nonetheless, in Zen observe, by way of our meditation, we expertise ourselves as the best way we’re or ‘minimal’ self,” he says. These are the core ideas of working towards Zen that concentrate on worrying much less of what we suppose about ourselves or who we wish to develop into, and deal with accepting and loving ourselves for who we’re at this very second.

Kawakami says that “matcha and tea assist make our senses extra eager to watch what we’re.” The act of getting ready matcha is extraordinarily meditative and ritualistic, which can assist instill a sense of calmness whereas partaking within the exercise. On the similar time, consuming matcha or tea crammed with L-theanine can even physiologically improve alertness and cognitive perform. A win-win.

That is all to say, Kawakami finds that consuming (and getting ready) matcha are excellent alternatives to observe mindfulness—by slowing down and taking within the second, as evident in conventional Japanese tea ceremonies. “Throughout meditation, we expertise what we expertise as the best way they’re, like sensation and ideas—ideas are thought-about sensations in Buddhism. Simply observe sensations and ideas come and go,” Kawakami says.

The standard Japanese tea ceremony

In line with Kawakami, a standard matcha tea ceremony will be damaged down into 5 elements: preparation, appreciation of the tea utensils, tea preparation, tea service, silent contemplation, and the closing ceremony.

1. Preparation

Earlier than the tea is introduced, Kawakami says it’s necessary to organize the room for the ceremony. “The host prepares the tea room, often called a chashitsu, with cautious consideration to cleanliness and aesthetics,” he says. Throughout this time, the ceremonial host will rigorously organize the tea utensils “in a exact method.” This contains the tea bowl, tea whisk, tea scoop, and tea container.

2. Appreciation of the tea and utensils

As soon as the utensils have been rigorously organized, it is time for some gratitude. “Earlier than the tea is ready, the host could take a second to showcase the tea utensils to the friends, highlighting their craftsmanship, historical past, and significance,” Kawakami says.

3. Tea preparation

To arrange the tea, the host will begin by transfering the powdered tea into the tea bowl utilizing the inside track. “They then pour scorching water into the bowl and whisk the combination with the tea whisk till a frothy consistency is achieved,” Kawakami says.

4. Tea service

Throughout this a part of the tea ceremony, friends are introduced with the tea because the host performs a set of rituals to honor the beverage. “The host presents the bowl of matcha to every visitor individually, utilizing exact actions and gestures. Visitors obtain the bowl with each palms, specific gratitude—normally by complimenting the tea or utensils—after which take a sip of the matcha,” Kawakami says. As every visitor takes a sip, the bowl is rotated and cleaned as an indication of politeness to keep away from consuming from the identical space because the earlier individual.

5. Silent contemplation

The fifth step is named “silent contemplation,” a chance for self-reflection and appreciation. “After everybody has had a flip to drink the matcha, there could also be a interval of silent contemplation or dialog the place friends mirror on the expertise and respect the second,” Kawakami says.

6. Closing

The ultimate step is named the “closing,” which indicators the tip of the ceremony. Throughout this time, the host will clear and punctiliously organize the tea utensils again of their place. Kawakami says that that is additionally a time for friends to precise their gratitude to the host earlier than departing.

3 ideas for making the proper cup of matcha at house

For Eijiro Tsukada, co-founder of Cuzen Matcha and matcha professional, making the proper cup of matcha at house boils all the way down to 4 key steps.

1. Select your components properly

For the best-tasting matcha beverage, it’s necessary to decide on the suitable kind of matcha powder. For instance, for those who’re planning on making a matcha latte, Tsukada recommends a stronger, bolder matcha powder, like Cuzen Matcha’s brilliant and sturdy Latte Mix Natural Matcha Leaf Packets ($17).“It’s necessary to make use of a matcha mix with a bolder bitterness and a brighter colour than that of a mix meant for a straight drink,” Tsukada says. For a extra conventional, ceremonial-grade mix, he has beforehand advisable Jade Leaf Natural Ceremonial Matcha ($20).

Moreover, Tsukada says sourcing the highest-quality matcha each time potential is essential. “Choose leaves from an natural farmer who prioritizes wholesome, clear soil for a wholesome, pure tea,” he recommends. And for even larger L-theanine content material, Tsukada says a high-quality, spring harvest matcha is your greatest wager.

Bonus factors for those who can supply freshly-ground leaves, which is Tsukada’s gold normal. “The second matcha leaves are floor, the floor space will increase, inflicting the oxidation course of to speed up. The extra oxygen the grounds are uncovered to, the weaker the flavour, colour, aroma, and well being advantages develop into,” Tsukada says. As such, he says grinding the leaves simply earlier than getting ready the matcha is most ultimate. Cuzen’s Matcha Maker is a simple solution to get the job achieved. The modern machine is able to storing, grinding, and whisking a recent cup of matcha with the press of a button.

2. Be certain the water is excellent

“Even the water issues,” Tsukada says. Very similar to when making espresso, the kind of water you utilize for matcha can have a major impact on how the ultimate brew tastes. As such, Tsukada recommends utilizing tender water as an alternative of arduous water each time potential. “Heavy mineral deposits in arduous water impression the style, mouthfeel, and colour of the tea,” he says. Filtered or bottled water are nice choices if you do not have entry to tender water straight from the faucet. (You possibly can take a look at the hardness of your water with an at-home take a look at equipment, like this one obtainable on Amazon for $10.) Moreover, he advises of us to make use of water that’s no hotter than 175ºF. “That is the standard temperature used for matcha,” Tsukada says.

3. Let the matcha’s flavors do the speaking

Top-of-the-line methods to understand and have fun the scrumptious flavors of matcha is to let the ingredient shine brilliant. “Discover steadiness when making extra elaborate recipes. In terms of lattes, I personally favor a recipe with minimal components which is able to praise a high-quality matcha, moderately than distract from it,” Tsukada says.

The right matcha latte recipe in line with the professional: two fluid ounces of matcha to 6 fluid ounces of milk. Seems like a matcha made in heaven.

An RD delves into the important thing variations between inexperienced tea and matcha: