Sunday, March 23, 2014

Ocha Drinking , Not Just Eliminate Thirst

In the past , only the elite can enjoy a cup of ocha . In the land of sakura , or Japanese tea sipping ocha is not just to eliminate hunger .

Ocha is a drink with a strong cultural influence . About 800 years ago , Japanese tea seeds were brought Zen Buddhist priest named Eisai to Japan .

When it is , the extent ocha used for treatment , not as a daily beverage .

Tea expert Rachael Somantri said , ocha is a beverage that has a huge influence in Japanese culture . " Ocha was drunk in any occasion , day and night , " he said .

Ocha drinking culture formed in the 15th century . At that time , ocha also can not be enjoyed for all parties . Drinker limited Japanese elite , like the samurai , the royal family , and merchants . In fact , there is a set of cups for drinking ocha should only be used by the samurai and the royal family .

Ocha upheld must be presented correctly . " This is the forerunner of the tea ceremony , " said Rachael.

In the tea ceremony , there are various rules that must be controlled by a renderer . Guests who come to the tea ceremony is usually not the person recklessly .

When entering the room the ceremony , everyone must bow . This regulation is no exception to the king and queen . There is a short cross placed near the entrance .

Keep a certain sense of movement bent . " For the samurai , meaning bent stripped atrocities they carry when at war , " said Rachael.

Ocha different from green tea although still quite large family of tea . It was tasty , but not leaving the concentrated flavor in the mouth .

At first glance, sip ocha feels like being chewed Monosodium glutamate ( MSG ) . Ocha with premium quality , light Ratna , it will feel like a soup or broth soup .

Ocha tea leaves are long and thin . The color is somewhat lustrous , green as emeralds . The water temperature for brewing ocha should not be more than 50 degrees Celsius .

" The tea leaves will break if the temperature is too hot , " said Rachael. It may make sense ocha changed .

Ocha best made ​​with leaf tea massage method . This massage is done by hand for six hours . Massaged over the tea leaves jotan , a special table covered with a thick Japanese paper .

Under the thick paper , there is a surface coal makes jotan be rather hot . The purpose of massage is to provide color , luster , flavor , and aroma of ocha .

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