Amin Abbas

DUBAI: IKIGAI-SHU, the official representative of the Global Japanese Tea Association in the UAE, organized a two-day course in May that offered a detailed and clear explanation on a variety of topics related to Japanese teas. 

Day one was dedicated to understanding the history of Japanese tea. Participants also learned about the main methods of farming and the production of tea. 

“Through self-brewing and comparative tasting, tea lovers understand how to make, taste, and evaluate the main types of Japanese teas,” IKIGAI-SHU’s CEO and Founder Viktoryia Toma told Arab News Japan.

The second day covered everything related to matcha, from production and farming to tea ceremony utensils and techniques.

The two-day course concluded with an exam verified by the Global Japanese Tea team in Kyoto. Candidates who successfully passed the exam were awarded with a certificate at the graduation ceremony.

Toma told Arab News Japan that the course received positive feedback. “Participants enjoy the ‘do it yourself’ (DIY) format of the course, which allows them to practice tea brewing skills. Trade professionals who attend the course boost their knowledge and acquire the confidence required to select, sell, serve, and promote Japanese teas. They get inspired by the flavors and versatility of high-quality Japanese tea and the endless food pairing opportunities it offers.”

“Passionate tea enthusiasts particularly like discussing tea components and health benefits. They consider the course an eye-opening tea journey, allowing them to discover new tea varieties and brewing methods,” the founder added. 

IKIGAI-SHU regularly holds Japanese tea courses. Their foundation course is held four times a year, with the next course scheduled for September. 

The Global Japanese Tea Association is headquartered in Kyoto, and was created to connect all Japanese tea lovers around the world and to spark growth in the Japanese tea community through global collaborations.