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The Craft of Matcha
For the first time, sit down with Uji Matcha farmer Shimizu Taishi right here in Princeton, New Jersey. Shimizu Taishi is a 10th generation Tencha (Matcha) farmer in Uji, Japan.
This is a ground-breaking opportunity to sit down with Shimizuさん, drink tea, and hold private conversations as to his experience as one of Japan’s most important heritage Matcha producers.
The Shimizu farm is centrally located in Uji, Kyoto, Japan, and is one of less than 10 farmers in Uji that preserve the cultivation technique known as “Honzu,” which uses rice straw to shade the bushes rather than plastic tarps.
Meet the producer
Here’s your chance to meet the producers behind the tea. Ooika has carried the Shimizu family Matcha since our inception. Engage in personal conversations with Shimizuさん directly and learn more about their family craft.
Who the Class is For
For those who want to drink Matcha, and share in an open-ended conversation with one of Japan’s most relevant Matcha producers.
Shimizu taishi
A 10th generation Tencha (unground Matcha) producer, from the heart of Uji, Kyoto, Japan. One of the few producers in Japan that protect the “Honzu” shading technique, and a fluent English speaker.
About Ooika Labs (覆い香の研究会)
Matcha is often marketed as exotic and mysterious, which can feel overly romantic and pretentious for beginners. Ooika labs (覆い香の研究会) was created to make Matcha approachable, entertaining and hands-on, By understanding craft Matcha, we come to appreciate and preserve it.
Location
The Make Matcha at Home class will be held at Ooika at 300 Witherspoon, in Princeton NJ. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early and check-in with our Barista on duty.
Meet Your HOst
Make Matcha at Home is guided by Ooika’s founder, Marc. Featured in Times Magazine, Vogue, Bloomberg News, Reuters News, Edible Jersey, The Daily Princetonian and more. His interest in Matcha began in 2017 while living in Kyoto, Japan.
Today Marc maintains deep and direct relationships with some of Japan’s most prized Matcha producers and their families. With a particular focus on Japans’ most rare heritage Matcha, Marc is committed to sharing the beauty and preciousness of fine Matcha.
