


An engaging Japanese Matcha and Emirati coffee (Gahwa) workshop was held on Saturday, October 5, at Youth Hub center in Ras Al Khaimah.
The workshop was a collaboration between S3 café and Sakura Japan Sweets that highlights the hospitality experience between the Emirati and Japanese cultures.
“The workshop is a collaboration between S3 café and Sakura Japan Sweets that highlights the guest hospitality experience between Emirati Gahwa served with Dates and Japanese Matcha and sweets,” said Michyo Chiba, founder and owner of Sakura Japan Sweets.
Taleb Al Amiri from qissahh shared exclusively to Arab News Japan about the story behind organizing the workshop. “The workshop was organized with the aim of fostering cultural exchange through shared experiences in coffee traditions. It was made possible through the initiative of the federal youth authority at the Youth Hub in Ras Al Khaimah, and we truly appreciate their efforts.
“The Youth Hub offers a free space for anyone to use and organize discussions or workshops at any time, which creates wonderful opportunities for gatherings like this one.
“The main concept behind this workshop was to bring together Arabic and Japanese coffee and tea cultures, allowing participants to explore both the traditional preparation of Arabic coffee by S3 Caffe and the art of Matcha preparation by Ms. Chiba, the owner of Sakura Café.
“This open platform enabled participants to not only learn the methods behind these beloved beverages but also experience the beauty of blending different cultural practices. It was a perfect setting to showcase how two diverse traditions can come together to create meaningful connections,” he added.
“The workshop highlighted the different styles of preparing Emirati Gahwa and the different spices added compared to different houses and the way of serving it. On the other hand, I highlighted the different types of Matcha and it’s part of green tea that is handled with care, such as avoiding sun light and sealing it properly etc,” said Chiba.
“Participants were particularly impressed by the fusion dish, date cheesecake, which combined local Ras Al Khaimah ingredients with a Japanese recipe, symbolizing the merging of both cultures,” said Al Amiri.
“Additionally, the free coffee blends and Matcha kits distributed to participants added a personal touch, encouraging further exploration at home.”
“The response was overwhelmingly positive. Participants from across the Emirates thoroughly enjoyed the workshop, with many expressing their excitement about learning new techniques and exploring the differences between Arabic coffee and Matcha.
Regarding upcoming activities following the workshop, Chiba said: “We started this workshop in Ras Al Khaimah, but we have participants from all over the UAE so we would be happy to share the knowledge anywhere in the future.”
“Following this workshop, we hope to see more events that bring together different cultures, providing beautiful presentations of cultural exchange.
“Innovative ideas, such as the date cheesecake, truly highlight how two cultures can come together in unique ways. As we move into the winter season, we are planning to cover more outdoor activities, places, and businesses that reflect the beauty of the UAE. We aim to showcase businesses that offer unique experiences, as well as public spaces dedicated to community use,” said Al Amiri.
“Our content will continue to focus on the UAE’s culture, bringing stories that teach, benefit, and most importantly, engage people. We will keep creating content that not only educates but is also enjoyable to watch, supporting the community and showcasing the diverse and vibrant experiences available in the UAE,” Al Amiri added.