【A Beginner’s Guide】How to Drink and Appreciate Japanese Matcha

Have you ever tried “matcha,” a traditional Japanese drink?

Unlike regular green tea, matcha is a finely powdered tea.

Rather than simply dissolving it in hot water, you whisk it with a bamboo tool and drink the entire tea leaf.

It has a rich, full-bodied flavor with a delicate balance of bitterness and sweetness.

Table of Contents

There are two main ways to prepare matcha:

Usucha (Thin Tea): A small amount of matcha is whisked with hot water. This is the most common type, with a smooth, mild flavor.
Koicha (Thick Tea): A larger amount of matcha is kneaded with less water to create a thick, rich brew, typically served on formal occasions.

Matcha is highly nutritious because you consume the entire tea leaf.

Key benefits include:

You can enjoy matcha at cafes, sweet shops, and temples.

It is typically served as a set with a traditional Japanese sweet (wagashi).

Here is a simple guide to the basic etiquette.

Note: This is a guide to formal etiquette. In a casual cafe setting, feel free to relax and enjoy it in your own way!

First, enjoy the sweet treat. Use the small wooden pick provided, called a “kuromoji,” to cut it into bite-sized pieces.

Pick up the tea bowl with your right hand and place it on the palm of your left hand, supporting it from below.

To show respect, avoid drinking from the “front” of the bowl (the side with the main pattern).

Gently rotate the bowl clockwise twice (about 90 degrees each time) so the front faces away from you.

Then, bring the bowl to your mouth and drink the matcha in several sips.

Once you’ve finished, gently wipe the rim of the bowl where you drank with your thumb and index finger.

Then, rotate the bowl counter-clockwise twice to return the front to its original position before placing it down.

Reading about the etiquette is one thing, but experiencing it firsthand is another.

A Japanese Tea Ceremony is a perfect opportunity to learn about respect, grace, and hospitality in a traditional setting.

Under the guidance of a master, you can practice these customs and deepen your appreciation for the culture.

The tea ceremony is a core part of Japanese etiquette.

To learn more about other social rules, check out our complete guide.

If you found this guide helpful, please give it a like!