Tea Ceremony Traditions Are A Wonderful Tradition

Tea ceremonies are ritual ways of preparing and drinking tea, and the custom itself is one which has been strongly influenced by Zen Buddhism. Today, tea ceremonies are quite popular, and there are actually several different tea ceremony traditions that take place around the world. Still, one of the most well-known and respected is the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

Japanese Tea Ceremony

The ceremony itself takes place in a room that is designed and designated for tea, and it is better known as the chashitsu. This room is typically located within the tea house, away from the residence, in the garden area. In terms of guests, the preferred number is four, although this may vary depending on the particular tea ceremony.

One of the guests is chosen to be the main guest, and they are then led, with the main guest in front, to a water sprinkled garden that is devoid of any flowers. Here the guests rid themselves of the dust of the world, and then seat themselves on the waiting bench, or koshikake machiai, awaiting the approach of the host who has the official title of being the house master.

Once inside the tea house, each guest is served a meal known as chakaiseki, which is served on a tray with fresh cedar chopsticks. There are three different courses, and once these have been consumed and the guests are finished, the host removes the scroll and replaces it with flowers. This Japanese Tea ceremony is definitely one of complexity and detail, and one that has been revered since ancient times.

Chinese Tea Ceremony

This is another well known and incredibly respected ceremony, as the art of drinking and serving tea plays a major cultural role in China. The Chinese Tea ceremony is one which emphasizes the tea rather than the ceremony itself, and each step in the ceremony is meant to be a sensory exploration and appreciation.

The teas that are typically used in this ceremony are particularly refined, such as oolong and red teas, and the style of tea drinking uses small cups to match the small, unglazed clay teapots that are used. These tiny cups are particularly popular in Fujian and Chiujao, in southern coastal China above Canton.

All tea ceremonies are significant and respected, and each represents a different culture, a different part of the world. Each is just as important as the next, even though the traditions carried out within are very different from each other.

Chris Jonas is a chef working in Soho, New York. Check out these great Cooking articles and resources or more specific Tea guides and resources.