Beautiful Tea Is Simple
Share
One of the things I love most about Japanese tea is that the more you learn, the simpler it becomes...Kinda (lol).
Today’s quiet tea session features fukamushi sencha (deep-steamed tea leaves - iconic Japanese tea), enjoyed on a miniature tatami mat in a beautiful Kōda-yaki (Yatsushiro ware) teacup from Kumamoto Prefecture.
Kōda-yaki is known for its restrained elegance. Its soft glazes, earthy textures, and timeless forms have made it a favorite among tea practitioners for generations. It doesn’t compete with the tea—it quietly enhances the experience.
That philosophy reminds me of tea itself.
Simple.
Intentional.
Unhurried.
One question I receive during nearly every tasting is:
“How do I know if my water is the right temperature?”
While many brewing guides recommend approximately 165°F (74°C) for sencha, I know that most people aren’t reaching for a thermometer every morning.
So here’s the shortcut I’ve used for years:
The ¼ Method
• Fill your cup or brewing vessel about one-quarter full with room-temperature water.
• Top off the remaining three-quarters with freshly boiled water.
Most of the time, you’ll arrive surprisingly close to the ideal brewing temperature for many Japanese green teas.
It’s simple.
It’s practical.
And most importantly—it encourages you to actually make tea.
Because tea shouldn’t feel intimidating.
It should feel like something that naturally fits into your life.
There is a saying I return to often:
日日是好日 (Nichinichi Kore Kōjitsu)
“Every day is a good day.”
Maybe not because every day is perfect.
But because every day offers us another opportunity to slow down, prepare a beautiful cup of tea, and appreciate the ordinary moments that quietly become extraordinary
🌿 English SEO Hashtags
#JapaneseTea #FukamushiSencha #Sencha #YatsushiroWare #Kodayaki #TeaEducation #FloweringWaters #SlowLiving
🍃 Japanese SEO Hashtags
#高田焼 #八代焼 #深蒸し煎茶 #日本茶 #煎茶 #日日是好日 #お茶のある暮らし