The world of tea has been with me since my childhood in a small village in Upper Austria in the 1960s. I was originally fascinated by herbal teas. My grandmother knew the right tea for every ailment. Later I began to start my day with a cup of freshly brewed Darjeeling. But my passion for green tea was sparked by my practice in the Buddhist Zen tradition.
Green tea and Zen: an inseparable bond
The tea ceremony is central to the Japanese Zen tradition. "Tea is the monks' liquor," a Zen teacher once said to me. There are numerous legends surrounding tea in Zen Buddhism, such as that of Bodhidharma, who is said to have brought tea from India to China. It is said that this monk cut off his eyelids so that he would not fall asleep while meditating. He buried them in the ground, and the first tea bush grew in that spot. Also well known is the story of the Japanese monk Eisai, who brought green tea from China to his homeland in the 13th century to keep his students awake while meditating. Eisai even wrote a book about the health benefits of green tea: "Drinking tea and prolonging your life."
My encounter with Matcha
My first experience with matcha was in the form of a sweet matcha latte with lots of honey. But over time I realized the special effect of the caffeine in green tea and switched to pure matcha. Preparing matcha is an art in itself, which not only increases the feeling of well-being, but can also help you lose weight by stimulating the metabolism. In addition to my daily dose of matcha, I also drink several cups of green tea. I have tried many different Japanese green teas and retailers. I once told a Zen priest friend in Tokyo about my passion. He sent me a pack of his favorite tea. I was so excited that I asked him for the contact details of the tea farmer. That was the birth of Shinkoko.
Shinkoko: A story of passion and trade
For me, the tea path is the ideal way to combine my Zen practice with my passion for tea and my many years of experience in the trade. I founded Shinkoko together with two Zen friends. We want to share our enthusiasm for green tea and its positive effects with others. Our teas come from Shimane, a region known for its excellent value for money. Outside of Japan, green tea from Shimane is hardly known - we want to change that! From my time as a wine merchant, I know that tea and wine have a lot in common. The location and the nature of the soil play a decisive role in taste and quality. The great art with both wine and tea is to find quality at an attractive price. The right advice and the opportunity to taste are also important topics.
Tastings and consultations: an invitation to the world of green tea
At our location in the 13th district, we offer tea tastings, where you can discover the diverse varieties and preparation methods of green tea. In addition, consultations are possible online via telephone or video call to spread the knowledge and joy of tea. Within my international Zen community, there are two tea masters who we regularly invite and who practice their art with us. In addition, we offer simplified tea ceremonies from the Soto Zen tradition. Soon we will be able to share another passion with you: exquisite Japanese incense of the highest quality.
The 1000 Hands House: A meeting place
Shinkoko is located in the "1000 Hands House", a center where we combine our passions for Zen, green tea and social commitment. Here we bring the fruits of our Zen practice closer to others and offer a space for communal experience.
We look forward to welcoming you to Shinkoko and exploring the wonderful world of green tea together!