World of Tea Series

World of Tea Series Logo

Rainier Valley Cultural CenterThank you so much for your support of the Northwest Tea Festival over the past eight years. We are pleased to continue our exciting and varied series of year-round tea events. The monthly series presents a unique opportunity for you to further explore the World of Tea and expand your tea knowledge and experience.

Events will be presented on the third Saturday of the month, in the lower event space of Rainier Arts Center in Columbia City (Southeast Seattle).


Events:

Saturday, April 21, 2018 - 10:00am to 12:00pm
Presenter: Cinnabar Wright Location: Rainier Arts Center

Flowers

Celebrate Spring with a fun and festive tasting of flower infusions! Infusions of flowers are a tradition in several countries, and this tasting will include examples from a few different areas. The flowers in the tasting will range from pure and delicate dried flower infusions, to true teas scented or combined with flowers. We will be surrounded by bright and delicate flavors and infusions that range from pale and delicate to bold and bright. If you have never had the opportunity to taste any pure flower infusions this will be a fun adventure for you. if you have already experienced a taste of some of these beverages we expect you will probably discover something new that you were not already familiar with.

$15 per person.


Saturday, September 16, 2017 - 10:00am to 12:00pm
Location: Rainier Arts Center

Experience Japanese teas that are considered rare and unique, even within Japan. Heather Porter (Hanamichi) will present a selection of teas produced using unusual methods and teas that are rarely seen outside their growing region. This tasting session will include dark teas, aged teas, and at least one tea that has almost ceased to exist.
$20 per person


Saturday, August 19, 2017 - 10:30am to 12:30pm
Presenter: Andrew Goodman Location: Rainier Arts Center

Image may contain: drink and coffee cup

The Happy Tea Man will brew, discuss, and tell stories about five famous and delicious Oolong Teas; Baozhong, Shan Lin Xi, Tie Kwan Yin, Da Hong Pao, and Phoenix Mountain Dancong Mi Lan Xiang.

$15.00 Admission - Limited to 12 participants


Saturday, July 15, 2017 - 10:00am to 12:00pm
Presenter: Andrew Goodman Location: Rainier Arts Center

Learn about the legend and history of teas from Southern China and their production and brewing. Different examples of Puer and Liu Bao will be prepared and tasted during the class. Hosted by Andrew Goodman, The Happy Tea Man.

$20/person. Pay in advance, or at the event.


Saturday, May 20, 2017 - 10:00am to 12:00pm
Presenter: Andrew Goodman Location: Rainier Arts Center

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18157525_1644405262241738_5992849310845602182_n.jpg?oh=b2f3e2a5e80aacde65e05900fcc03cb1&oe=599253C7
The May World of Tea event will be a tasting of at least 5 Wuyi Oolongs, presented by The Happy Tea Man, Andrew Goodman.
The teas will include familiar teas and lesser known teas, ranging in cost from $4/oz. to $25/oz., which will provide a broad overview of this wonderful category of teas.
$20/person.
Limited to 12 participants.


Saturday, April 15, 2017 - 10:00am to 12:00pm
Location: Rainier Arts Center

April's World of Tea event will be an educational tasting with Crimson Lotus Tea. They will bring a number of different Puer teas for event attendees to taste, and they will provide information on Puer tea and their experience with tea production in Yunnan.
Saturday, April 15 at 10 AM - 12 PM
$25 per person, limited to 15 people.


Saturday, March 18, 2017 - 10:00am to 1:00pm
Presenter: Cinnabar Wright Location: Rainier Arts Center

Korean Teas

Join us in the next installment in the World of Tea Series for an exploration of teas from Korea. In this special tasting we will taste three different Korean green teas and one Balhyocha, which sometimes considered an oolong, and sometimes called a yellow tea. The teas are all wonderful, and there will be exampled of traditional and contemporary Korean tea wares used for preparing the tea.

The cost of the event is $15 per person, limited to 15 people.


Saturday, February 18, 2017 - 10:00am to 12:00pm
Presenter: Cinnabar Wright

Post Fermented Teas

Join us in the next installment in the World of Tea Series for an exploration of post-fermented teas from the Hunnan, Anhui, and Guangxi provinces of China, most commonly referred to as “Hei Cha.” This is a varied category of teas that are related to Puer, but each region has its own distinctive production techniques and resulting tea characteristics. The tasting will include at least 6 teas, including Bai Liang, Tian Jian, Liu An, and Liu Bao.

The cost of the event is $15 per person, limited to 15 people.


Saturday, November 19, 2016 - 10:00am to 12:00pm
Presenter: Roberta Fuhr Location: Rainier Arts Center

girl Scout Patches

The November World of Tea event is a special collaboration with the Girl Scouts of Western Washington.

Tea & Cultures will introduce girls to traditions in tea in China, Japan and India.  We will make tea using traditional tools with girls participating in using the tools and making tea for others.  We’ll learn about the three cultures and how tea made its way from China (its origin) to each of the other countries . Girls will learn about the science and botany of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis and how white, green, oolong, black tea and pu’erh are made. Tea & Cultures will introduce girls to traditions in tea in China, Japan and India.  We will make tea using traditional tools with girls participating in using the tools and making tea for others.  We’ll learn about the three cultures and how tea made its way from China (its origin) to each of the other countries . Girls will learn about the science and botany of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis and how white, green, oolong, black tea and pu’erh are made.

Fee for Girls Scouts: $20

Adult Fee: No fee for observing; $20 per person for participating


Saturday, July 16, 2016 - 10:00am to 12:00pm
Presenter: Roberta Fuhr Location: Rainier Arts Center

Tea Paring

Discover the tea and food combinations that delight and excite you! Everyone’s personal chemistry is different and pairings that one person likes may not appeal to another. In this class we taste five single origin teas with nine different savory, sweet, pungent and bitter tastes—a myriad of combinations to give you a tasting adventure. We use tasting sheets so that each participant can record perceptions and play with your own favorites well after the class. Wonderful for ages 10 to adult.

(Foods may contain animal products, gluten, nuts, and other ingredients so please be mindful of your own allergies or sensitivities.)


Pages

Photos from the World of Tea Series:

Japanese Tea and Sweets
Tatsuo Tomeoka