How to Enjoy a Tea at Home

Tea has been a part of Japanese culture for centuries, and tea ceremonies are still popular today. Tea is a great way to relax and unwind, and it's also a great way to deepen the connection between people. Having a tea party is a wonderful way to deepen your connections with others. Whether you invite friends or acquaintances – enjoying some tea can be exactly what you need to relax and unwind.

Brewing Your Own Tea

Let's start with the basics of how to brew tea and enjoy it in every situation. With a few easy tips, you can make your tea even more enjoyable.

1. Boil water and pour into teacups, according to the number of people. Allow tea to steep for 7-8 minutes. Once finished, let it cool down before consuming; if not, catechins will be released and make the tea taste astringent.
2. The number of tea leaves you put in the teapot should be based on the amount of people drinking. For example, 2 grams per person is a standard. When brewing for one person, add an extra gram or two. (We recommend 3 to 4 grams total.)
3. After the water has cooled, pour it into the teapot and wait for approximately one minute. Be patient until you see the tea leaves open up; there is no need to shake the teapot.
4. Be sure to pour it all the way into each tea cup so that the amount and taste are even. The tea will thicken as you finish pouring it, but by pouring it all the way through, the second and third infusions will be delicious.

Tips for Enjoying Tea All Year Round

You may enjoy the taste of tea from time to time by adjusting the brewing procedure to match the variation in temperature and tea leaves.

• Spring: Spring is the perfect season for trying out new teas. If you brew them with slightly hot water, the aroma will be more pronounced.
• Summer: Mizudashi green tea is perfect for summer refreshment. Use a generous amount of leaves and brew slowly with plenty of ice and water.
• Autumn and Winter: In the fall, we offer "Autumn Picked Bancha," which is the final harvest of the year, and "Kuradashi Tea," which is produced by slowly aging tea leaves from the new season. These have such distinct tastes that it'd be fascinating to compare them.

 

Make Your Tea Party More Enjoyable with Sweets and Beautiful Tea Sets

Once you have brewed delicious tea, try to find ways to enjoy it even more.

Prepare a Tea Service

In order to have a wonderful tea time, tea service is essential. It not only brings out the flavor of the tea, but also adds an elegant touch to the occasion. Let's prepare sweet items such as seasonal Japanese sweets and Western sweets, and salty items such as pickles and rice crackers with our tea.

Arrange Tea Sets

To brew green tea from tea leaves, you need a teapot and a teacup. But by sticking to the ingredients and preparing other tea utensils, you can make the tea party more colorful. Teapots come in a variety of materials such as ceramics, porcelain, ironware, and glass. Consider the appearance, ease of use, and the effect on the taste of the tea when choosing one.

In addition, if you have the tea utensils below, making tea will be even more enjoyable.

• Chasaku - It is a small saucer that is placed under a tea cup. It helps to catch any drips or spills and keeps the table clean.
• Yuzamashi - It is an accessory helps you make the perfect cup of tea by adjusting the water temperature.
• A bottle makes cold brew green tea easily and iced tea on the go.

There are several methods to enjoy tea, and the best method is usually what works for you. Follow these suggestions to make your tea time more pleasurable whether you're drinking a cup of tea alone or hosting a tea party.