Japanese tea is an indispensable drink for Japanese living from ancient times. It is taken during meals and snacks. Recently, Japanese tea contained in paper packs and plastic bottles are sold and so people drink it while exercising.
Today, more people drink Japanese tea not only because of its good flavor and taste, but anticipating its “tea catechin” effect. “Tea catechin” is said to have many effects such as suppressing cholesterol rise and diet. With this background, “Nihoncha (Japanese tea) Instructor Association” was started in 1999. The aim of this association is training/recognition of “Nihoncha Instructor”, popularization of Japanese tea, succession of Japanese tea culture, and creation of new tea culture. One needs to pass written exams from 10 fields such as tea history, tea cultivation, tea manners, etc., and practical tests of tea judgment/instruction in order to be a “Nihoncha Instructor”. The exams are held once a year. Today there are about 2500 “Nihoncha Instructor” in the country lecturing “How to serve tea” at culture schools and elementary schools and participating in tea-related events for further popularization of Japanese tea. Mass media call “Nihoncha Instructor” not “sommelier” but “cha-mmelier”.

Specified Nonprofit Corporation Nihoncha Instructor Association
http://nihoncha-inst.com