When you think of Japan, chances are sushi, cherry blossoms, and maybe samurai come to mind. But for many Japanese, the true soul-soothing experience comes in a cup of bright green matcha. Far more than just a trendy café drink, matcha is deeply rooted in Japanese history, spirituality, and everyday culture.

Matcha’s story begins in China during the Tang Dynasty, where tea leaves were steamed, dried, and ground into powder. The practice made its way to Japan in the late 12th century thanks to a Zen monk named Eisai. He brought not only tea seeds but also the philosophy of drinking tea as a way to support meditation.

By the 15th and 16th centuries, matcha evolved into what we now know as the Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu), refined and formalised by tea masters like Sen no Rikyū. He shaped the wabi-sabi philosophy behind the ceremony, finding beauty in simplicity and imperfection.

Drinking matcha in Japan is not just about quenching thirst; it’s an art form. The tea ceremony is a highly choreographed ritual where every gesture, from how the host scoops the matcha to how guests bow, carries meaning.

Even outside the tea room, matcha plays a role in daily life. It’s served during seasonal festivals, at temples, and in modern cafés. You can find it in everything. From lattes and cakes to soba noodles and even beer.

Matcha is packed with antioxidants and gives a calm, focused energy because of L-theanine, an amino acid that balances caffeine. This is why monks drank it during meditation. It kept them alert yet peaceful.

But beyond health benefits, matcha is a way of slowing down in today’s fast-paced world. Preparing it mindfully, whisking the powder until frothy. It is almost meditative.