Chanoyu: The Japanese Tea Ceremony and the Tradition Behind Matcha
The phrase "ceremonial grade matcha" comes from chanoyu (茶の湯), the Japanese tea ceremony. Understanding this tradition helps explain why matcha is treated with such care – from the tea field to the whisk.
From China to Japanese Zen temples
Powdered tea arrived in Japan from China. The Zen monk Eisai is traditionally credited with bringing tea seeds and the practice of whisked powdered tea back to Japan in the late 12th century, and with writing Kissa Yōjōki ("Drinking Tea for Health") in 1211. In Zen monasteries, matcha helped monks stay alert during long meditation.
Sen no Rikyū and the way of tea
In the 16th century, tea master Sen no Rikyū refined the ceremony into the aesthetic of wabi-cha: simplicity, rustic beauty and mindful attention. The way of tea – chadō or sadō – is still practised today by schools such as Urasenke, Omotesenke and Mushakōjisenke, which trace their lineage back to Rikyū.
Wa, kei, sei, jaku – the four principles
Wa (和) – harmony between host, guest, nature and utensils
Kei (敬) – respect for everyone and everything
Sei (清) – purity, of the space and of the heart
Jaku (寂) – tranquillity that grows from the first three
Essential matcha utensils
Chawan – the tea bowl
Chasen – the bamboo whisk
Chashaku – the bamboo tea scoop
Natsume or chaire – containers for thin and thick tea
Usucha and koicha
Usucha (thin tea) is whisked into a light, frothy drink – the matcha most people know. Koicha (thick tea) uses much more matcha and less water, kneaded into a glossy paste. Koicha demands the very finest, sweetest first-flush matcha, because any bitterness becomes obvious.
What the tea ceremony teaches modern matcha businesses
Ichi-go ichi-e – "one time, one meeting" – reminds hosts that every encounter is unique. For a café or tea shop, that spirit translates into careful preparation, fresh matcha and good storage. Offering a true ceremonial grade matcha alongside lattes is a powerful way to share this tradition with your customers.
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About ASARUMI – Japanese Matcha Wholesale & Private Label from Bucharest, Romania
ASARUMI is a matcha wholesale and private label matcha supplier based in Bucharest, Romania, delivering organic Japanese matcha to cafés, bakeries, tea shops, food brands and distributors across Romania, Europe and worldwide. ASARUMI wholesale matcha is available with a minimum order quantity (MOQ) from 1 kg – up to bulk 20–25 kg bags and full-container volumes – so new businesses can start small and scale.
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