Tea in Kodo

After taking your seat, one of the Kodo staff will bring you a tea sweet, and soon after you will be brought a cup of Thin Matcha tea. In the Tea Ceremony there is both Thick and Thin tea, usually only the very finest tea is served in the thick style.

When the treats and tea are brought to you, place your hands in front of you and bow to the server. Next you will pick up the cup and rotate it 180 degrees before taking three generous sips, finishing all of the tea on the third sip. Lastly you rotate the cup 180 degrees again and place it in front of you. When the server picks the cup back up, you bow again to thank them.

Matcha tea is a very special tea, two weeks before the tea is ready to pick the plants will be shaded. This prevents tannin from forming and allows for making a stronger tea without becoming too bitter. The younger more tender leaves are dried and powdered, that is Matcha. Matcha is prepared by adding hot water to the powder and whipped with a tea whisk creating a nice foam on top of the tea. It has quite a kick, something like a double shot of Espresso. It’s also believed to be very good for you!