Green tea is a very popular drink in Japan. It came to Japan from China over 1200 years ago! For many years, it was used as a medicine, but people liked it so much that it became a popular drink to share with friends or family. Even today, it's easy to buy a bottle of hot or cold green tea from a vending machine almost anywhere in Japan!
I learned about the tea ceremony, called sadō (sah-doh) or chadō (chah-doh) in Japanese. The ceremony takes place in a small room made just for enjoying tea. Here, a tea master will welcome a guest by making a cup of hot green tea from a powder called matcha (mah-tchah). The guest enjoys a special sweet snack, views the beautiful cup, and drinks the tea. In today's fast world, a tea ceremony is meant to help a guest slow down and enjoy a moment of peace.
In Japan, hospitality is very important. A host must always have good manners towards a guest, and the tea ceremony is one way to make a guest feel welcome. Another important part of tea ceremony is enjoyment. A guest can savor a sweet treat, a fresh cup of hot green tea, a peaceful room, and a little relaxation.
