We were told that the tea ceremony shown to us was a traditional kind that would be extended to out-of-town guests.

First of all, they didn't use tealeaf, but rather a powdered green tea called maccha kept in the black circular container on the tray. The whisk and teabowl within the tray is rinsed with hot water then rinse water poured out into the bowl outside the black tray. About a teaspoon of maccha is then placed into the teabowl, hot water poured into the bowl and whisked until bubbly and frothy.

The instructors were impressed at how well Nolen frothed his maccha. I didnt do so well. They frothed it up for me.