Read the first part here
The new matcha time woven by MIOKA
Matcha might be more than just a drink—it could be “time itself.” In the act of preparing a bowl, you feel the changing seasons and let your heart surrender to the scenery beyond the steam. In today’s busy world, it’s also an act of reclaiming the “ma” (pause) we are losing.
The “aftertaste” that MIOKA cherishes dwells precisely in this moment. When you sip matcha, the deep flavor that lingers even after it passes your throat becomes a memory, eventually engraving a longing for the next bowl in your heart. Crossing borders, connecting generations, weaving eras. This universal experience is the true essence of the matcha culture.
Your matcha time starting today
The first step can be very simple. Put matcha in a mug, add a few drops of hot water, and mix with a spoon. Pre-mixing helps prevent clumps. Then pour in hot water, and it’s ready.
If you have a bamboo whisk, start by slowly mixing to disperse the matcha at the bottom, then lift the whisk slightly from the bottom and firmly shake your wrist back and forth to prevent the water from circulating. What matters is not seeking perfection but savoring the moment.
Enjoying a sweet treat before drinking softens the bitterness of matcha, making it taste even better. Spend a relaxing time with seasonal Japanese sweets.
What dwells in the blank space of a bowl
Making matcha is both learning a technique and a moment to calm the mind. There is no right or wrong. You simply witness the moment when the powder meets the hot water and savor that miraculous harmony.
The bowl born in the palm of your hand today will surely show a different expression than yesterday. The lingering aftertaste there might be the very essence of Japanese aesthetics passed down through time.
