The Story of Matcha – A Tradition Rooted in Nature
por Yes Superfood Team en Dec 06, 2025
The Story of Matcha
The Color of Stillness
The story of matcha is more than the tale of a tea. It is the story of a worldview — a way of honouring the moment, of noticing the quiet between breaths, and of seeking harmony between nature and the self.
Tang and Song — Where It Begins
China is the birthplace of powdered tea. During the Tang dynasty (7th–10th century), tea leaves were steamed, pressed into bricks and later ground into powder before whisking them into hot water.
By the Song dynasty (960–1279), this practice had evolved into something more refined. The whisking of powdered tea became a quiet ritual, especially among Chan (Zen) Buddhist monks — according to writings of the time, they believed it supported their practice during long hours of meditation.
Eisai and the Journey to Japan (1191)
Matcha as we recognise it today took root in Japan in the 12th century. Zen monk Eisai brought tea seeds from China in 1191, planting them first at Hirado temple and later in the hills of Toganoo near Kyoto.
He later wrote Kissa Yōjōki (1214), in which he praised tea as a valuable and revitalising drink — reflecting the beliefs of his era, when tea began to carry spiritual, cultural and symbolic significance. For him, tea became not merely a beverage, but a tool for ceremony, self-discipline and spiritual refinement.
In the Quiet of the Monasteries
In Zen monasteries, powdered green tea became a preparation ritual before meditation. Historical texts suggest monks believed matcha helped them find balance between inner calm and alertness — and this is why it became central to chanoyu, the Japanese tea ceremony.
It was both physical nourishment and spiritual guidance. In a single sip: attention, respect, harmony.
By the 15th and 16th centuries, matcha became central to the tea ceremony, elevated into an art form by masters such as Sen no Rikyu, who formalised the four principles: harmony, respect, purity and tranquillity. These masters transformed tea drinking into an art, emphasising simplicity, humility and mindfulness.
Samurai and Mental Discipline
Historical accounts describe that samurai valued matcha before important decisions or battles — believing it supported a composed and steady mindset. Though these associations belong to the worldview of the time, they reflect how deeply matcha became woven into Japanese culture.
The Secret of Shade — A Japanese Innovation
Although powdered tea originated in China, the defining technique of modern matcha — shading the tea fields — was developed in Japan around the 16th century.
Growers in the Uji region observed that reducing sunlight produced leaves with a milder taste and deeper colour. Shade-grown leaves develop more chlorophyll and a higher proportion of certain amino acids, such as L-theanine, which contributes to matcha's smooth, umami-rich flavour.
This shading method remains at the heart of premium matcha production today.
What Matcha Contains — Nature's Quiet Strength
Classical writings often praised powdered green tea for the remarkable qualities they believed it held. Modern analysis shows that matcha naturally contains:
- Catechins
- Amino acids (including L-theanine)
- Chlorophyll
- Minerals such as potassium and magnesium
These components contribute to its distinctive taste, vibrant colour and cultural significance — the qualities that made matcha treasured in the imperial court, monasteries and among samurai.
When China and Japan Part Ways
In 1391, the founder of China's Ming dynasty banned the production of pressed tea bricks, shifting the country toward loose-leaf tea. Japan, however, continued to refine the art of powdered tea — preserving a tradition that had faded in its birthplace.
A Calm That Travels Through Centuries
The essence of matcha — stillness, clarity, presence — remains unchanged. Today, matcha carries centuries of craft and philosophy in its colour and aroma. The same vibrant green fine powder that Eisai brought to Japan continues its journey in modern kitchens, cafés and ceremonies.
In every bowl, a whisper of history: Zen monks at dawn, samurai in silent preparation, Sen no Rikyu refining the gestures of tea. Matcha is more than a drink — it is a cultural thread woven across centuries.
