The Weight of the Millstone Decides - The True Value of Matcha and the Tea Ceremony
In formal tea practice, matcha is not ground on site. Tea shops and producers mill tencha with stone mills and the host prepares the tea. The mill is the quiet partner behind the ceremony—the core of matcha quality.
Historical Timeline of the Tea Ceremony
| Century | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 8th c. | Tea arrives from Tang China; adopted by nobles and monks in Japan. |
| 1191 | Zen monk Eisai brings tea seeds and powdered-tea methods from Song China. |
| 14th c. | Tōcha spreads among warriors and temples—tea tasting and origin-guessing as a social game. |
| Late 15th c. | Murata Jukō articulates the ideals of wabi-cha. |
| Late 16th c. | Sen no Rikyū matures the tea ceremony; the spirit of wabi-sabi is established. |
| Late 17th – early 18th c. | The three Sen houses—Omotesenke, Urasenke, Mushakōjisenke—take shape and systematize lineages. |
| Edo period | Tea culture flourishes among lords and merchants; tea rooms and utensils advance. |
| 19th c. → | Tea practice spreads broadly through modern education and cultural activities. |
| Today | The three Sen houses lead a global interest in tea; matcha gains health and tourism appeal. |
Granite & the Heavy Upper Stone — What Really Makes Fine Matcha
Matcha mills are traditionally made of granite for hardness, durability, and heat moderation. But material alone does not guarantee quality. The decisive factor is the weight of the upper stone.
- 80–100 kg (176–220 lb) is typical for matcha mills; some exceed 100 kg (220 lb).
- Weight delivers steady shear pressure for uniformly fine particles.
- Inertia smooths rotation and reduces fluctuation—tighter particle distribution.
- Low speed + low heat preserve aroma, umami, and mouthfeel.
Lightweight mills do exist in the Japanese market, but they are insufficient for high-quality matcha—they tend to bounce, run hot, and leave coarse grit.
Value Born from Weight
A traditional mill yields only about 40 g (1.4 oz) per hour. The “inefficiency” is the point: weight stabilizes the grind, prevents heat, and produces micro-fine, even particles that whisk into a silky, persistent foam.
Why Not Just Use Machines?
Ball mills and jet mills enable mass production, but friction heat and broad particle curves are typical trade-offs. For formal tea, stone-milled matcha remains the standard.
Our Policy on Selling Millstones
Selling lightweight, simplified stone mills leads to unhappy outcomes—for the mill, for matcha, and for customers. Authentic matcha mills are typically 80–100 kg (176–220 lb), sometimes over 100 kg (220 lb), making air shipment impractical. Therefore, japanstones.shop does not sell millstones. We respect not only Japanese stone but also the craft of matcha.
Our specialty is stone for Japanese garden culture: garden stones, stone lanterns, Jizō and Buddhist statuary, and five-ring pagodas.
Tea & Stone Culture
Tea masters × stone craftsmen. Because heavy granite mills exist, matcha today can still be whisked fragrant and smooth.
Related Japanese Stone Craft
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Last updated: August 27, 2025 (JST)