The Origins of Matcha
Matcha is more than just a trendy health drink or stylish coffee alternative. Long before it became a modern-day staple in cafes and wellness routines, matcha held deep cultural and spiritual roots in East Asia. Its origins reach back nearly a thousand years, to a time of emperors in China and samurai clans in Japan.
The earliest record of matcha-style preparation dates to China’s Tang Dynasty (7th–10th centuries), when tea leaves were steamed and pressed into bricks for easy trade. These bricks were later roasted, ground into a fine powder, and whisked with hot water and salt—a practice that formed the foundation of powdered tea.
During the Song Dynasty (10th–13th centuries), this powdered tea method became more refined and widely practiced. In 1191, a Japanese Zen monk named Eisai returned from China with tea seeds and the custom of preparing powdered green tea. He planted these seeds at temple grounds in Kyoto, the seat of the Kamakura Shogunate. The resulting tea leaves were considered the highest quality in Japan.
Because matcha was produced in such small quantities at the time, it became a symbol of luxury and sophistication among the elite. Zen Buddhists further advanced cultivation practices by shading the tea plants before harvest—producing tencha, the precursor to modern matcha, and enhancing its flavor, nutrients, and calming properties.
The Ritual of Matcha
While matcha was already used spiritually, the ceremonial form we recognize today began to take shape in the 15th century. A Zen practitioner named Murata Jukō unified the fragmented aspects of tea preparation into a contemplative practice centered around simplicity and reflection.
His vision was later refined and popularized by Sen-no-Rikyū, the most celebrated figure in the development of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Rikyū formalized the ritual, giving rise to Chadō or Sadō—meaning “The Way of Tea.”
He also established the four fundamental principles that continue to guide tea ceremonies today:
- Wa – Harmony
- Kei – Respect
- Sei – Purity
- Jaku – Tranquility
Today, every bowl of matcha served in a Japanese tea ceremony honors these timeless values—inviting stillness, reverence, and a deep connection to nature and tradition.
