Tea Education

Welcome to our annual educational program which will give you a unique experience and deep immersion into the world of Gongfu Cha – Highest Mastery Tea – with its old traditions and innovations, as well as tea-related topics that form a high tea culture. We have been improving our program for more than 8 years to fit in the maximum of the most necessary information, offering our students extensive tea knowledge. By studying the scientific and cultural sides of this subject, we explore tea as a cultural phenomenon that has captured the hearts of millions and become the most popular drink in the world.

TEA LIKE ART is a 4-month tea journey that is ideal for both beginners and advanced tea lovers, expanding the boundaries of understanding and improving the mindfulness of consumption. Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate of completion and can join further classes to study various specific topics.

We welcome everyone to the LEVEL I "FOUNDATION" course which will happen in September 2024. This course is the quintessence of knowledge necessary for a deep understanding of this topic and to understand it on a professional level. In each lesson, we analyze the features of brewing and evaluating tea drinks, as well as learn how to brew different types of tea correctly, beautifully, and delicately. We cover both the traditional tea ceremony and a more modern approach for a better understanding of the principles and possibilities of this product. We go through a wide variety of teas to develop a palette of flavors and our ability to recognize the subtle nuances of tea aroma and taste.

Classes are held in small groups in our showroom in the center of Riga, Latvia. A bright room equipped with everything necessary for a deep immersion in tea culture. Our place allows you to completely distance yourself from the bustle of the city and immerse yourself in a world of peace and harmony. Classes are held in three languages: Russian (main language), Latvian, and English. The approach is always individual, and all participants equally receive the necessary knowledge. Each lesson lasts about 2-3 hours, where the first half is the theory, and the second one is practice.

Date: 01.09.2024

Time: 12:00

Address: Krāsotāju iela 5

Phone: +371 25652525

LEVEL I - FOUNDATION

(SEPTEMBER)

● INTRODUCTION – History and Philosophy - 70,- EUR (1.09.2024 - 12:00)

● WHITE TEA – Harvesting and Processing - 50,- EUR (3.09.2024 - 18:30)

● GREEN TEA – Beneficial Properties and Varieties - 50,- EUR (5.09.2024 - 18:30)

● WULONG TEA – The Art of Tea - 50,- EUR (10.09.2024 - 18:30)

● WULONG TEA – Gongfu Cha (Chinese Tea Ceremony) - 50,- EUR (12.09.2024 - 18:30)

● RED TEA – The Art of Tea Tasting - 50,- EUR (17.09.2024 - 18:30)

● PU’ER TEA (SHENG) - History and Philosophy - 50,- EUR (19.09.2024 - 18:30)

● PU’ER TEA (SHU) + HEI CHA – Fermented Tea - 50,- EUR (24.09.2024 - 18:30)

● TEA GASTRONOMY – Tea and Food Pairing Basics - 50,- EUR (26.09.2024 - 18:30)

● EXAM (29.09.2024 - 18:30)

This course is the basis of tea knowledge, to lay a high-quality foundation for future studies! You may visit individual classes or attend the whole course what will give you a:

● 10-30% discount during subsequent programs

● AN SHIM TEA MEMBERSHIP with even more unique opportunities

FULL 'LEVEL I' COURSE - 420 EUR

Learn more TEA LIKE ART.

• HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF TEA

The study of tea as a cultural phenomenon should begin with the history and geography as well as the main reasons why this drink spread throughout the world. In our classes, we explore how tea became the number-one drink in the world, as well as what were the main ideas that follow the product made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant. This is an amazing journey from ancient traditions to modern trends that will make you look at tea from a completely new angle.

• TEA CULTURE OF CHINA AND OTHER COUNTRIES

In our classes, we analyze China as the birthplace of this drink and culture which influenced so much on its development. We also discover Japanese, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, and Korean tea traditions, as well as tea industries like India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Turkey, etc. We cover topics such as growing conditions, harvesting, and processing, as well as consumption of tea in different countries to have a deeper understanding of this topic.

• CLASSIFICATION

Depending on the processing methods, there are seven main types of tea - green, white, yellow, wulong, red, dark (fermented), and Pu'Er. In our classes, we dive into each of these topics as deeply as possible and analyze all the features and nuances of each type. Every lesson is accompanied by tea tastings of different teas to give a wider understanding.

• QUALITY ASSESSMENT

Our goal is to show people a noble product and educate the consumers who will understand high-quality tea grown in a pesticide-free environment, harvested and produced handmade. Natural product with no additives or scents! We try competition and collection teas from different countries, as well as aged tea, which is more than 10-20-30 and even 40 years old!

• BREWING METHODS

We analyze all sorts of brewing techniques, from the traditional Chinese tea ceremony to the modern restaurant serving. Our goal is to teach participants to feel tea and understand the mechanism of the brewing process. All this will help you to understand the main principles and teach you how to prepare an exquisite drink in any condition.

• ARTISAN TEAWARE

In every lesson, participants interact with professional teaware, which allows them to understand the processes of brewing and serving tea. We focus on tactile sensations, accuracy, and attentiveness to develop tea brewing mastery.

• TEA TASTING BASICS

Tea tasting is a process where a trained ‘tea taster’ determines the quality of a particular tea. Due to climatic conditions, topography, the manufacturing process, as well as different varieties of the Camellia Sinensis plant, the end product can have vastly different tastes and appearances. We will dedicate a whole lesson to developing tea taster skills and teach you how to analyze the taste and aroma in detail.

• TEA GASTRONOMY BASICS

Tea gastronomy is a relatively young but very promising direction in the tea industry. It is aimed at popularising high-quality tea in the restaurant industry, where tea goes well with various kinds of dishes and drinks. We will cover the basics and main principles that will allow you to create interesting combinations of tea and food.