simple meal served before tea ceremony
A light, rustic meal served in the context of the Japanese tea ceremony, emphasizing seasonal ingredients and simplicity.
In cha-kaiseki, dishes using seasonal ingredients are served little by little.
Compound of 茶 (tea) and 懐石 (kaiseki, a light meal). The term 懐石 originally referred to the practice of Zen monks placing a warm stone in their robes to stave off hunger, symbolizing a simple meal to take the edge off hunger before the tea ceremony.