It’s the small rituals that give us a sense of safety in times like these. They look different for everyone, and it can take a while to figure out which ones feel right. Rituals are at the heart of Noritual Lab. Contrary to what the name might suggest, this matcha label is all about weaving ritual back into everyday life — just in a contemporary way. Founded in June 2023 by Kai Funada Classen, the brand not only offers matcha products via its online shop but also hosts tea ceremonies twice a month at Anti Space in Mitte, creating a space where you can pause, reset, and simply breathe. Anti is the perfect setting: everything revolves around slowing down, recharging, and giving your body and mind a little more attention. With saunas, ice baths, red light Pilates sessions, and a range of classes, it’s a place to do something good for yourself at almost any time of day. The ceremonies, limited to six participants, are led by Haruka. Like Kai, she grew up in Japan and was introduced to tea culture at an early age by her parents, who met through tea ceremonies themselves. At twelve, she began practicing ceremonies on her own, learning their structure and the care with which they’re performed. Haruka walks you through the preparation, explains the different elements, and, of course, shows you how to hold your tea bowl properly and prepare your matcha. The ceremony is not a solemn demonstration; it’s designed to be interactive. You can interrupt Haruka at any time, ask questions, or move at your own pace.
The ceremony is conducted using products from the No Ritual “Curated Matcha” series. Each edition reflects a carefully considered selection, close collaboration with producers, and deep respect for origin. During my ceremony, we were accompanied by “Meguri no Shiro”, a matcha developed in collaboration with a tea house in Japan. Made from Saemidori leaves grown in Shizuoka (Japan’s largest tea-growing region), it has an intense, fresh umami flavor and a vibrant green hue. With its ceremonies, Noritual Lab aims to make tea culture more accessible in Berlin. But ultimately, it’s about something simpler: showing how easy it can be to pause and integrate the preparation of matcha as a small ritual into your everyday life. After the ceremony at Anti, take the rest of the tin home with you, free to explore how to shape your very own matcha ritual from what you’ve learned.
Text: Robyn Steffen / Photos: Jule Baur, No Ritual Lab
Noritual Lab
Anti x Noritual Lab: Mindfulness Tea Ceremony (twice a month). Book your spot here.
@noritual.lab
