Japanese with anime voice: episode70
Hello, I’m Sachi.
Today, I would like to introduce the culture of Japanese tea. There are actually several types of Japanese tea. Did you know that? Typical examples are green tea, 抹茶 (matcha), and ほうじ茶 (hojicha).
Let’s start with green tea. Green tea is the most common tea in Japan and is made by steeping tea leaves. Within green tea, there are further types of green tea called 煎茶 (sencha) and 玉露 (gyokuro). 煎茶 (sencha) is an everyday tea, while 玉露 (gyokuro) is often drunk on special occasions. 煎茶 (sencha) is characterized by its refreshing taste, while 玉露 (gyokuro) has a rich, sweet flavor. What makes 玉露 (gyokuro) so special is that its cultivation and production methods are different from those of sencha, requiring a more labor-intensive process and higher technology. This produces a very flavorful tea, which is why it is highly valued overall and is a high-end tea leaf.
Next, let me talk about 抹茶 (matcha). 抹茶 (matcha) is now well known overseas as well, for example, in 抹茶 (matcha) lattes. 抹茶 (matcha) is a powdered tea made by grinding tea leaves on a millstone. When making 抹茶 (matcha), the proper amount of 抹茶 (matcha) is placed in a tea bowl, a small amount of boiling water is poured into the bowl, and the tea is whisked with a tea whisk. This process is called “点てる (taterru)”. 抹茶 (matcha) is characterized by its bright green color and distinctive bitterness, and is usually enjoyed with sweet Japanese sweets. Yeah, matcha is not sweet at all, but bitter. Incidentally, the flavor of matcha changes depending on how it is prepared. Even if the same 抹茶 (matcha) is used, the amount and temperature of the hot water and the way the tea whisk is used vary from person to person, so the taste will not be the same. I actually experienced this myself. The first time I had 抹茶 (matcha) prepared in front of me, it was very mild and pleasant to the palate, but it also tasted strangely sweet, not just bitter but truly delicious.
And lastly, I would like to introduce ほうじ茶 (hojicha). ほうじ茶 (hojicha) is a tea made by 焙煎 (baisen) of green tea leaves. 焙煎 (baisen) is a cooking method in which food is heated at high temperature. By roasting the tea leaves, a savory aroma and refreshing flavor can be enjoyed. ほうじ茶 (hojicha) is low in caffeine, so it is safe to drink at night.
Now, “茶道 (sadou)” is an essential part of Japanese tea culture. 茶道 (sadou) is a ceremonial way of enjoying tea, using 抹茶 (matcha) and based on the spirit of 禅 (zen), the purpose of 茶道 (sadou) is to quiet the mind and show respect to others through tea. The tea ceremony is based on the aesthetics of “わびさび (wabi sabi). わび “(Wabi)” refers to the beauty of simplicity and simplicity, and “さび (sabi)” refers to the beauty of the passage of time. The spirit of 茶道 (sadou) is to sense the changing of the seasons and to be in harmony with nature.
And the sequence of 茶道 (sadou) is very precisely designed. The person who hosts the tea ceremony or tea party is called the “亭主 (teishu),” and the 亭主 (teishu) prepares to welcome the guests. When entering the tea room as a guest, one purifies his or her body and mind by washing hands and rinsing the mouth. This is in preparation for enjoying tea in silence, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Then, once in the tea room, one admires the tea utensils, hanging scrolls, and flowers. The furnishings that decorate the tea room are meant to express the season and the care of the 亭主 (teishu). The 亭主 (teishu) then prepares 抹茶 (matcha) and serves it to the guests. After drinking the 抹茶 (matcha), the guest should express his or her gratitude to the 亭主 (teishu) by saying, “Thank you for the delicious tea.”
茶道 (sadou) is also a place where people communicate with each other through a cup of tea. Although the manners and etiquette are detailed, the spirit of “おもてなし (Omotenashi: hospitality)” is at the root of the tea ceremony. The teahouse setup, the choice of tea utensils, and the thickness and temperature of the tea to be served all show 亭主 (teishu)’s thoughtfulness.
Some aspects of Japanese tea culture are deeply rooted in daily life. For example, drinking tea after a meal. In the old days, this was a custom at the Japanese dining table. Today, I think it is no longer the norm in every household. Tea helps digestion and refreshes the mouth, so many people drank tea after meals. And tea is served when guests come over. This is a way of welcoming them as part of hospitality. Nowadays, coffee is becoming more common, but there are people who can and cannot drink it, and there are also cases when it is for children. In such cases, tea is good because it is not easily influenced by preferences.
Japanese tea has many health benefits. The ingredients in green tea have been shown to prevent aging in the body, boost immunity, relax the body, reduce stress, control blood sugar, lower cholesterol, and promote the burning of body fat, among many other benefits. It is full of health benefits! This was my introduction to the Japanese tea culture. Tea is more than just a beverage; it enriches the mind and deepens communication. I hope you will enjoy Japanese tea as much as we do.
