Tea Ceremony

6 August 2010

Tea Ceremony
help with re-creating a Japanese tea ceremony?

In my first grade class we are spending a week on Asia. On the day we look at japan I wanted to have a tea ceremony with them. I'm not looking for it to be super authentic or anything. I just want to share with them the basic principals, show them some pictures, and then have them make green tea. From my research I think you traditionally have some sort of sweet snack before the tea.

So my question is what kind of snack should I get? And where I could get it at would be helpful too.

What you are referring to is "Wagashi" and it is usually pretty difficult to find, depending on where you live. An easier way would be to make your own, but they wouldn't look nearly as beautiful as professionally made ones. They are supposed to evoke pleasurable sensations visually as well as by taste. There are many, many varieties of Wagashi, with some more suitable for certain times of the year than others. Try looking here for a list of the general types: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagashi. Maybe a good idea would be to let your kids make their own easy-to-make type of it, as a fun activity?

Also, when you're making the green tea, you should be using matcha powder, not just any Japanese green tea. It is easier to make, as one only has to whisk it, but it is very bitter tasting and is an acquired taste, so just be forewarned–your students might not like it.
Again, wikipedia is a good source of information regarding the Japanese tea ceremony: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_tea_ceremony