Japanese Tea Workshops: The Story of Matcha

Matcha has become a staple of modern cafe culture, but its roots run deep into centuries of tradition, precision, and mindful appreciation.
About this Event

In this focused one-hour workshop, we invite you to pull back the curtain on this vibrant green tea and get to know it from the inside out.

This session approaches matcha as a living cultural craft. We will trace the fascinating evolution of how a humble leaf travelled from ancient monastic rituals to become a global phenomenon. You will learn the meticulous farming and processing methods that give this tea its brilliant emerald colour and rich flavour.

To help you connect with the tea on a purely personal level, we will strip away the commercial labels for a better tasting experience. By stepping past brands and grades, you will learn to evaluate the tea based entirely on your own palate. Explore the subtle variations in aroma, texture, and finish that reveal the unique character of different matcha.

What to Expect

• The Story of Matcha: Trace the history and cultural heritage of matcha, exploring its origins and its transition to global prominence.
• From Leaf to Powder: Learn what sets matcha apart from other Japanese green teas, looking closely at the specific shading, harvesting, and milling processes that define its character.
• Blind Tasting: By removing labels, brands, and price assumptions, you are invited to evaluate each tea using your own intuition to discover what your palate naturally connects with.
• Registration includes: a welcome matcha drink (non-dairy) and 2 usucha (straight matcha) for tasting.

This workshop is hosted in collaboration with SenchaMatcha.

About the Japanese Tea Workshop series:

Led by Japanese tea educator Janice Chan, this series explores Japanese tea as culture, craft, and everyday life.

About the Instructor:

Janice Chan is the Global Japanese Tea Association (GJTea) representative for Western Canada and co-founder of Teakan. A GJTea-certified Japanese Tea Specialist, Jan offers workshops and lectures that blend tradition with modern perspectives, sharing the history, practices, and everyday culture of Japanese tea.
Her ongoing study includes practicing chanoyu with the Urasenke School and senchado under Oubaku-Baisa Ryū. With a deep respect for tradition and a thoughtful, approachable teaching style, Jan creates hands-on tea experiences that connect people to Japanese culture through taste, storytelling, and shared moments around the table.