Japanese Tea Ceremony and Wagashi Sweets Making Class

The Japanese tea ceremony is a ritual steeped in years of history and culture. As a spiritual and sophisticated practice, this traditional ceremony is one that is governed by specific sets of rules. If you are interested in the historical and cultural significance of the Japanese tea ceremony, join us as we explore and learn more about this piece of traditional Japanese culture. The tea ceremony class will be held in a traditional Japanese tea room with tatami floors. Although the preparation and serving of the tea is usually done whilst kneeling, chairs are provided for those who are not comfortable doing so. No tea ceremony is complete without sweet treats, serving as a complement to the strong flavor of the matcha tea. Here, you will get the chance to make your own sweet treats from scratch! We will focus on making nerikiri, a sweet doughy confectionary made from mochiko (Japanese rice flour) and white kidney bean paste. The nerikiri is usually molded and shaped into symbolic designs, typically flowers to reflect the current season. Some of the designs that we will be learning to make include the sakura, Japan’s most iconic flower, as well as the iris, a beautiful spring flower that many associate with the month of May. Once your nerikiri wagashi are ready, you will learn about the history and cultural significance of the Japanese tea ceremony before the actual tea ceremony begins! Terumi, your host, will first serve you matcha, prepared and served meticulously in front of you. Once you have savored a taste of matcha, you will then have the opportunity to whisk your own matcha and partake in an actual authentic tea ceremony yourself! You can then sit back, sip, and enjoy your delicious piece of nerikiri alongside your warm bowl of fragrant matcha.