762 CE: Tang dynasty, China
The first record of powdered tea in China was in Lu Yu’s “The Classic of Tea” manuscript. At the time, tea leaves were steamed, dried, and pressed into bricks for trade, then ground into powder for consumption.
History
Although matcha is often traced to Japanese roots, it originated in Tang dynasty China in 762 CE. Japan and China both have rich historical and cultural ties to the tea; today, it enjoys a vast global presence.
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1191 CE: Kamakura period, Japan
Powdered tea was first introduced in Japan when Buddhist priest Myoan Eisai returned from Song dynasty China with tea leaves as a form of medicine.
960 - 1279 CE: Song dynasty, China
Powdered tea became widespread in China, and preparation techniques like sifting and whisking also emerged. Japanese tea ceremonies were thought to preserve these Song dynasty traditions.
1391 CE: Ming dynasty, China
Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang banned powdered tea, causing Chinese matcha culture to gradually fade. Loose leaf tea leaves became the norm; it wouldn’t be until the modern era that matcha regained its popularity.
1336 - 1573 CE: Muromachi period, Japan
With new developments like stone mills and shade cultivation, matcha became fashionable among both the Japanese elite and common people. The first tea ceremonies also arose.
1603 - 1867 CE: Edo period, Japan
Matcha production and harvesting became monopolized among the shogun, imperial court, feudal lords, and Uji tea masters. The prestigious Ochatsubo Dōchū tea jar journey became a tradition.
1868 CE: Meiji Restoration, Japan
The fall of the shogunate ended the elite monopoly of Uji tea. With the turn of the century, technology like the tencha dryer as well as specialized research institutes modernized matcha production.
Present Day
Today, matcha has skyrocketed in popularity due to aethetics, social media, and wellness culture. Once a traditional tea exclusive to East Asia, it can now be found anywhere across the globe in drinks, desserts, and confections. In Japan, institutions like Urasenke and Omotesenke continue to teach and preserve the traditional tea ceremony. In China, powdered tea and matcha have been reintroduced to mainstream culture thanks to global trends.
