merry matcha monday – a meditation on tea

When tea becomes ritual, it takes its place at the heart of our ability to see greatness in small things. Where is beauty to be found? In great things that, like everything else, are doomed to die, or in small things that aspire to nothing, yet know how to set a jewel of infinity in a single moment?”

Muriel Barbery, The Elegance of the Hedgehog

celebration

Isn’t that a beautiful thought? I love that book, it’s one of my very favorites of all time. Matcha, in particular the matcha ceremony, has been part of the traditional Japanese culture for centuries. A quiet celebration performed with grace and beauty, the matcha tea ritual is an experience of mindfulness, a focus on the now. In other words you could say it’s pretty much like meditation. So merry matcha monday – a meditation on tea!

Matcha literally means “powdered tea.” Matcha leaves are grown on green tea bushes kept under shade. This shade increases the amount of chlorophyll in the leaves, which is what makes them bright green and full of nutrients.  Matcha is therefore a stronger source of nutrients than steeped green tea. In addition to providing nutrients, it’s rich in antioxidants. Also, the polyphenol in matcha, called EGCG, has been shown to boost metabolism, and slow or halt the growth of cancer cells.

In my own hands I hold a bowl of tea; I see all of nature represented in its green color. Closing my eyes, I find green mountains and pure water within my own heart. Silently sitting alone and drinking tea, I feel these become a part of me. 

Sen Soshitsu

sante

Let’s begin with a great guide on how to make matcha from Bon Appétit. Matcha definitely has a very green, earthy taste. When you drink it you actually feel the healthy, as ma soeur likes to say. Back in an April monday meditation I posted a very green and healthy recipe for my Iced Spirulina Matcha Latte.

Here’s a simple recipe for a regular Matcha Latte from Love and Lemons. I would love to make this Matcha Affogato. And I will be trying this Hot Chocolate Matcha from Café Kitsune, along with recreating their matcha fox cookies, for sure. Here is a recipe for Green Tea Matcha Christmas Tree Cookies I could use!

“Looking deeply into your tea, you see that you are drinking fragrant plants that are the gift of Mother Earth. You see the labor of the tea pickers; the luscious tea fields and plantations in Sri Lanka, China, and Vietnam. You know that you are drinking a cloud; you are drinking the rain. The tea contains the whole universe.”   

Thich Nhat Hanh

matcha more

Matcha can be used for more than a fragrant, healthy drink. What about this recipe for Matcha Green Tea and Cardamom Grilled Salmon? Matcha and cardamom – oui, oui et oui! This Toasty Matcha Granola looks healthy and delicious, if you’re not already making the Fennel Granola, bien sûr. And it would be a festive gift aussi! Of course I’ve got to try my hand at matcha macarons – here’s a vegan recipe! And matcha nice cream? Yum!

For a nice break, I found a beautiful video of a Japanese Chado Matcha Green Tea Ceremony for you. While you’re watching, why not try out this DIY Magic Matcha Face Mask?

I can’t even begin to know enough about matcha to recommend which one to try. I have some from David’s Tea right now, it’s quite delicious, and look at all the fun, festive flavors they have! And very much loving my Lion’s Mane Matcha Latte gifted to me by la soeur, in fact I just enjoyed some this morning 🍵

Hope this merry matcha monday – a meditation on tea has been informative. Have a marvelous week, sending you matcha love! À bientôt!