Master Classes in Tea…A New Series

Our Late Winter/Early Spring 2011 series of Tea Trekker Master Classes in Tea were a success and we can’t wait to do it again. Thank you to all our eager class attendees for helping us to hone our presentations. Everyone had a good time, ourselves included.

We are announcing two new series, one for summer and one for fall. Our series of six evenings is an exploration of the Six Classes of Tea, and they are adapted from the tea classes and presentations that we have conducted at seminars and conferences around the country.

Classes can be taken individually or in any combination.

Master Class Schedule – Summer 

• July 7       –   overview of all Six Classes of Tea
• July 14     –   green tea
• July 21     –   white, yellow & scented tea
• July 28     –   oolong tea
• August 4    –   black tea
• August 11  –   Pu-erh tea

Master Class Schedule – Fall

• September 8       –  overview of all Six Classes of Tea
• September 15     –  green tea
• October 6           –   white, yellow & scented tea
• October 13         –   oolong tea
• October 20         –   black tea
• November 10      –   Pu-erh tea

 

Our Master Classes: What You Will Learn

As a group we will taste 4 to 6 distinctive teas in each class and discuss the proper tea steeping methodologies for the tea. Steeping methods will vary with the type of tea being discussed, and in some classes attendees will learn to use a gawian or steep tea in an abbreviated gong-fu style. We will discuss the important aspects of each class of tea necessary to develop a clear understanding of that style of tea.

Using the green tea class as an example, we begin each class with:

• a photographic PowerPoint presentation from our tea sourcing trips which provides background information about green tea in China, Japan and Korea
• a close-up look at the most important green tea producing countries, their tea gardens, green tea processing techniques, and other variables that make green tea unique

During the course of each class ( still using green tea as an example) you will learn:

• the history of green tea, the culture of green tea and traditional tea steeping methods for green tea
• what differentiates green tea from the other classes of tea
• why premium green tea and standard, commercial-grade green tea are so different
• how to visually assess the appearance of green tea leaf
• to distinguish the subtle ( and not so subtle ) differences in flavor and aroma among unique green teas
• how to steep green tea for the sweetest flavor
• what teawares are best for steeping green tea

TeaTrekker Master Classes are held in our store at 65 King Street, Northampton, MA from 7:00 – 8:30 PM. Attendance is limited to 10 people per class – advance registration is required. Each class is $25.00 per person and must be paid for when the reservation is made. Attendees must be at least 18 years of age; and no children, please. For those who sign up for all six classes, a 10% discount will be given off the total cost of the classes. Additionally, attendees will receive a coupon for a 10% discount on a future purchase of tea or teawares.

Call us – 413-584-5116- or come into the store to sign up for these classes. ( Sorry, signing up online is not an available option).

Click here to sign up for our newsletter to receive information about new tea arrivals and other tea news: http://www.teatrekker.com/newsletter_join.htm

Master Tea Classes – SOLD OUT

A hearty THANK YOU  to all for your interest in our recently announced tea classes. All the spaces have been filled for this series of classes, and we have a waiting list of names in case of cancellations.

So, please look for the next round of classes which we will be announcing towards the end of April. 

Our Upcoming Master Classes in Tea

Yes ! In response to many customer requests, we will begin a series of tea tastings and Master Classes in Tea for our local tea enthusiasts. Adapted from the tea classes and workshops that we have led around the country, we will begin with a series of six evenings that will take us through an exploration of all six classes of tea. When Spring arrives we will begin again, refocusing on newly-arriving Spring teas.

Please visit our website – www.teatrekker.com – for dates, times and more details. Please call to reserve your place at the table – hope to see you there !

2008 Fall Tea and Food Classes

This fall we will be teaching tea and food classes in NYC and also closer to home, and speaking at the annual Smith College Chrysanthemum Show.

September 7th Sunday / 2 – 4 pm

 

The Six Great Classes of Tea
Institute of Culinary Education ( ICE ), NYC

Our class will highlight the unique attributes of each of the major classes of tea – green, white, yellow, oolong, black and puerh. Emphasis will be on explaining the relationship between the classes of tea and the impact on flavor from terroir, tea bush varietals, cultivation and harvest techniques used in a tea garden, and leaf manufacture. This class will be jam-packed with information and be a terrific opportunity to taste some spectacular teas. Please pass the word, and hopefully we will see you there !

September 22 – October 20th Mondays / 6:30-8:30pm

Exploring the World of Specialty Food
Greenfield Community College

Each Monday we will teach a ‘palate challenging ‘ class at Greenfield Community College. Students will learn to distinguish flavor ‘like a pro’ by tasting and evaluating distinctive, artisan examples of familiar pantry items such as chiles, chocolate, chutney, coffee, olive oil, tea, and vinegar.

This is a great opportunity for all those who have decided to eat out less and get back into the kitchen and cook. No matter if you are an avid cook or just beginning, this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with artisan ingredients and condiments and see how easy it is to add delicious flavor to your dishes.

October 31st Friday / 7pm

Opening Presentation for the Fall Chrysanthemum Show
at Smith College, Seelye Hall, Room 106

Camellia Sinensis and Chrysanthemum ( Cha and Bai Hua ):
A Delight for the Eyes and Palate

This will be a fun and educational evening. We will deliver the opening presentation for Smith College’s annual Fall Chrysanthemum Show. Join us for a slideshow of our photographs taken on location in tea regions of China, Japan and Taiwan while we discuss the origins of leaf tea, the intricacies of tea manufacture and the cultures of tea drinking around the world.

After the presentation, you will be welcomed to preview the splendor of the chrysanthemum show while sipping some delicious tea.