Japanese Tea Garden
With many Japanese gardens built around a ceremonial tea hut the tea ceremony is a very important aspect of the Japanese garden.
The traditional ritual believed to have been influenced by Zen Buddhism involves the drinking of green tea which is ceremonially prepared and served to a small number of guests in the tranquil setting of a Japanese garden.
There are four different types of tea ceremonies Chabako demae, Hakobi demae, Bon Temae and Ryu-rei each with there particular rituals but all similar in that tea is consumed.
Conversation during a tea ceremony should be kept to a minimum, guest should relax and take in the beauty of the surrounds. Tea ceremonies can last between one and fours hours depending if food is served.
Green tea comes from the uppermost leaves of the Camellia sinensis a tea plant native to Asia. Green Tea retains it’s colour as it is not dried but immediately steamed after harvest.
The drinking of green tea reduces blood pressure, lowers blood sugar and has been linked to the prevention of cancer.
