The Teamaker's Art: Level 1 - (Michael Coffey) - 10:00am @ Perennial Tea Room Stage To many, tea is simply a beverage. However, in the production of artisan teas, the tea maker has to make countless decisions that ultimately affect the quality of the tea in the drinker's cup. Part 1 of this series looks at many of the most important decisions faced by a tea maker in crafting an artisan tea.
Tales of Tea: - (Mike Harney) - 10:00am @ Barnes & Watson Stage
The master tea blender from Harney & Sons will share some of his more than twenty years of expert knowledge and experiences with tea. He has traveled to most of the major tea producing areas and has met with tea producers from all the major tea countries looking for the season's best teas.
Matcha at Home - (Donna Fellman) - 11:30am @ Perennial Tea Room Stage
Matcha is the powdered green tea from Japan, traditionally used in chanoyu, the Japanese tea ceremony. Its historical roots are in China. Perhaps its future is in your kitchen. There are many reasons matcha is becoming a popular ‘new’ tea – from its health benefits to its unique flavors – and there are a variety of ways you can use it. Come learn about matcha as we explore the ways you can enjoy matcha at home.
Tea 101 - (Ken Rudee) - 11:30am @ Barnes & Watson Stage
Tea 101 will take you through a fast paced photo journey of a tea leaf from soil to cup. You will learn about the five basic types of tea, where they come from and how they are processed. We will put to bed some myths about tea, discuss some tea controversies and learn different ways to steep the perfect cuppa.
Etiquette of Tea - (Bernadette Petrotta) - 1:00pm @ Perennial Tea Room Stage
The 1800's gave birth to the quaint and charming ritual of "Afternoon Tea" in England. This ritual became an integral component of daily English life and acquired its own formal etiquette. Tea services were silver and china. Fine linens were used for tea cloths and serviettes, and tea gowns were loose and flowing with matching hats and gloves. Along with the tea came savories, scones with jams and clotted cream, toast with cinnamon, petit fours, and other delicacies that have come to be known as "tea food".
In the "Etiquette of Tea," learn who is credited with the origination of this favorite pastime along with the essentials of tea etiquette and the history of tea dating back to the 28th Century BC. Other topics covered in the "Etiquette of Tea" include styles of tea service, the proper tea time, demonstration of an afternoon tea, setting up a buffet tea table, proper etiquette on enjoying tea and its accouterments, and much more useful information to heighten your knowledge of this great Victorian pastime.
Deconstructing the Korean Tea Ceremony for Daily Application - (Yoon Hee Kim) -1:30pm @ Barnes & Watson Stage
"DaRye" refers to the classical Korean Tea Ceremony, deeply steeped in 2,000 years rich history, philosophy and practices. Taking the elements found in the traditional tea ceremony, Korean Tea Culture Foundation's tea master and founding director, Yoon Hee Kim, will present and demonstrate how to incorporate the core essence of the classic ceremony into your daily life. Through this interactive workshop, you will learn to take the essential steps of a traditional tea ceremony and 'bring it home,' in ways that are meaningful, relevant and can easily be adapted into your everyday life.
How To Judge Oolong Quality- (Shiuwen Tai) - 2:30pm @ Perennial Tea Room Stage
Are you a Oolong fan and would like to know how to tell its quality? Shiuwen will be sharing some tips from the tea fragrance, the leaves' appearances, the taste, and mouth feel to discuss a tea's quality. You will get to taste all the teas she presents.
Wu Wo Tea demo -(Betsy Meyer & Dewey Meyer) - 3:00pm @ Courtyard Area
WuWo Tea Ceremony is based on traditional Chinese Gongfu brewing dating back to the Ming Dynasty more than 300 years ago. This traditional practice was modified in Taiwan to create a ceremony that allows many participants to brew and serve tea together at the same time. WuWo translates as ”selfless” or “void of self”. There is no ranking of participants by level of knowledge, nationality or social status and there is no expectation of reward. Very simply, participants brew several rounds of tea and serve it to the three people on their left and themselves. This ceremony helps participants develop a tolerant attitude and cultivate cooperation and thoughtfulness toward others.
A limited number of WuWo tea kits will be available so members of the audience can participate in the ceremony.
Tea & Caffeine: Level 1 - - (Michael Coffey) - 4:00pm @ Perennial Tea Room Stage
Caffeine is one of the most celebrated (and reviled) of the hundreds of compounds found in tea. Misconceptions about it abound--join this class to dispel the myths and what the *real* answers are to many of the more common caffeine questions.
Sunday Oct 4th -
A Tea Tour of India & Sri Lanka - (Norwood Pratt) - 10:00am @ Barnes & Watson Stage
The inimitable James Norwood Pratt conducts us on a tasteful and witty excursion from the plains of Assam to the heights of Darjeeling, from India's tropical Nilgiri mountains to Sri Lanka's misty upland jungles, with commentary on the local teas all along the way. Classic James Norwood Pratt!
The Teamaker's Art: Level 2 - (Michael Coffey) - 10:30am @ Perennial Tea Room Stage
Part 2 of The Tea maker's Art follows where Part 1 left off (although you can jump in without Part 1 if you want). You'll learn how each of the main decisions made by an artisan tea maker affect the final product--many times in surprising ways! This is an advanced class and has an admission fee of $30.00. Advanced registration is suggested but not required.
You can call The Perennial Tea Room at (888) 448-4054 to reserve your space.
<< or >> Click here to go to teageek.net and pre-register for this class
"My Name Is Okakura" The Preview – (Norwood Pratt) - 12:00pm @ Whole Foods Stage (note this is a slight time change from the original schedule)
In the role of Okakura Kakuzo, author of "The Book of Tea," James Norwood Pratt reads from the new play by Elizabeth Orndorff. The one- man, one-act play is scheduled to premiere in Las Vegas at the 2010 World Tea Expo with James Norwood Pratt in the title role. We are fortunate to have this unique opportunity to experience a preview of this new play at this year's festival.
Tea 101: From Garden to Cup - (Yoon Hee Kim) - 12:00pm @ Barnes & Watson Stage Join tea specialist Yoon Hee Kim on a wondrous journey of a tea leaf.., from garden to cup.
Guided by photos taken by the presenter over the years, you will travel through the world tea regions and learn about the different types of tea, their origins and how they are processed. Along the way, you will also unearth some of the existing tea controversies and myths.., and differentiate the various styles of steeping a perfect cup of tea, one that's just right for you! Highly recommended for all tea enthusiasts.., regardless of where you are in your own tea journey.
Cooking With Tea Demonstration - (Robert Wemischner) - 1:00pm @ Whole Foods Stage Pastry chef, food writer and culinary instructor Robert Wemischner will explore the culinary potential of the leaf in dishes both sweet and savory.....author of Cooking with Tea and the newly released The Dessert Architect, Chef Wemischner will prepare several tea-based dishes and share his experience of cooking with tea..
Guided Tea & Meditation Sitting - (Donna Fellman) - 1:00pm @ Perennial Tea Room Stage
"The taste of tea and meditation are one," expresses the ancient Oriental understanding that every aspect of tea offers us an invitation to develop clarity, slow down, relax and reduce stress. Come learn how tea, from its rituals to its chemical composition, invites into the present moment. No previous meditation experience required.
Professional Tea Tasting - (Suzette Hammond) - 2:00pm @ Barnes & Watson Stage
How does one learn how to taste and talk about tea? What is the difference between 'tasting' and 'drinking'? Learn how to explore tea using professional cupping equipment, working with standards used by tea buyers and quality control experts the world over.
You don't need professional credentials to attend, just a genuine love for tea and a desire to want to learn more. Intermediate tea experience encouraged: this is a truly hands-on brewing workshop, so you will be working with hot water and evaluating lots of tea! A $10 materials fee applies to this class (for your very own cupping set that you get to keep).
Tea & Caffeine Level 2 - (Michael Coffey) - 3:00pm @ Perennial Tea Room Stage What is this caffeine stuff, anyway? We'll look a little deeper in this advanced-level class, with information about how caffeine and related compounds affect the human body. Learn some of the surprising ways that caffeine interacts with other tea compounds to produce health effects exclusive to tea! This is an advanced class and has an admission fee of $30.00. Advanced registration is suggested but not required.
You can call The Perennial Tea Room at (888) 448-4054 to reserve your space.
<< or >> Click here to go to teageek.net and pre-register for this class
Tea Tasting – NW Tea Festival 2009
Expand your experience with tea.
This is a unique opportunity for you to learn about and sample some to the best teas from all over the world.
Tea tasting leaders will demonstrate a variety of tea preparation and presentation styles. There will be tasting experiences geared for both beginner and experienced tea drinkers. Participants will have ample opportunity to ask questions about tea. At last year’s festival, the tea tasting sessions were a highlight of the festival to all who participated.
The tasting sessions are free. Attendees just need a tasting cup which can be obtained at festival registration. Seating is limited and you can reserve a seat for a specific session of your choice by signing up at the festival tasting booth sign-up area.
Tea tasting leaders will guide tasting sessions with 8 to 12 participants lasting approximately 20 minutes.
Tasting sessions will be ongoing during both days of the festival. Specific tasting presentations are currently being scheduled. There will be signs listing the specific times and subjects of each session on display at the festival tasting booth sign-up area. Subjects of the tasting sessions that are currently scheduled are as follows: (Check back here to see updates as the tasting session schedule is finalized)
Saturday October 3rd. -
Matcha Whisking
Gongfu Cha – Chinese Traditional Teas
Oolong Teas of China
Premier Green Teas
Cooking with Tea
Terroir of Tea
Flavored Teas
Pu'er Teas
Make Your Own Chai
Using The Gaiwan to Brew Tea
White Teas
Sunday Oct 4th -
Intro to Tea
Green Teas
Oolong Teas
Cooking with Tea
Teas for Tea Parties
Formal Small Pot Ceremony Taiwan
Chinese Teas
Japanese Green Teas
Matcha Whisking
Additional Information: The festival will provide a
porcelain tasting cup as a gesture of thanks to those making a donation supporting the festival at a $5 level or more. Showing the tasting cup will allow you entry into the tea-tasting area, and brewed tea samples at the vendor booths. All presentations at both festival stages, entry to the vendor area, and the art gallery are open to everyone.
