Steeped in history and tradition, tea is the second-most consumed beverage in the world. From the casual iced tea, to the elevated tea ceremonies of Japan, and of course British high tea, the culture of tea is more popular now
Steeped in history and tradition, tea is the second-most consumed beverage in the world. From the casual iced tea, to the elevated tea ceremonies of Japan, and of course British high tea, the culture of tea is more popular now than ever.
The Volcano Art Center and Eva Lee of Tea Hawaii &Company are “tea-ming” up to give people an introduction to tea cultivation and processing with a Tea Cultivation Workshop from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 7 at her working tea farm in Volcano.
Participants will be guided through a hands-on experience, from harvesting to processing.
Throughout the day, students will learn about propagation and cultivation of Camellia sinensis teas and its history in relation to Hawaii state agriculture, furthering tea culture and the arts.
Each student will go home with Hawaii-grown Volcano green tea.
Course fees are $63 for VAC members and $70 for nonmembers. Pre-registration is required. It is advisable to bring a brown bag lunch, water, jacket, sweater, long pants, hat, covered shoes, possibly a rain coat, and a picking basket.
Attendees will meet at the VAC Niaulani campus and carpool to the farm.
Lee, a longtime resident of Volcano Village, has farmed tea the past 12 years with her husband, Chiu Leong.
With backgrounds in the visual and performing arts, they co-founded Tea Hawaii &Company advocating Hawaii-grown origin teas.
As a tea consultant and educator, Lee has written articles on Hawaii-grown tea for agriculture organizations. Lee also is executive director of TOTUS (Tea of the United States) Awards.
For more information and to register for the tea workshop, contact Volcano Art Center at 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.
