Tea academy
Takada Green Tea Academy
A real organic green tea experience...
~ Takada Green Tea Academy begins, the natural life with tea ~ One day I visited a friend in Colombo and served him a cup of green tea. "What a delicious tea, it would be great if we could make such green tea in Sri Lanka too." Doric Atton, a businessman of integrity, had drunk a drop of Uji Sencha that I had brewed with ice water from his kitchen.
Doric Atton's family has owned about 150 acres of an old tea plantation in the middle of Sri Lanka for generations. The plan to produce Ceylon green tea in the Japanese style began with these emotional words.
And so the story begins...
Ronald Nicholas (who grew up in Sri Lanka), a German businessman and founder of Bistrotea in Munich, was developing a new product with me at the time using Uji Green Tea Matcha and introduced me to Doric Atton during my time in Sri Lanka. These two people were later joined by tea manufacturer P. Abey (a university professor with his own organic farm). With these three people, the plan to produce Japanese green tea in Sri Lanka began to develop rapidly.
I am convinced that this kind of engagement will help promote the Japanese style of green tea culture to the world and I decided to participate in this project as a Japanese consultant. I decided to provide comprehensive support, such as the procurement of machines, their installation and commissioning, as well as the introduction of new products and the development of new distribution channels. To give the project a name that clearly shows the responsibilities, we all agreed to call the new collective effort the Takada Green Tea Academy. I will be responsible for all information from Japan, arrange the machines and be a window (distributor) for the international market.
This project (Takada Green Tea Academy - TGTA) is a venture to not only build a new production facility, but also to spread the teaching of Japanese style green tea around the world. TGTA is located in the middle of a well-known and award-winning organic tea garden in the southern part of Sri Lanka at the foot of the Singharaja Nature Reserve. The academy offers the opportunity to demonstrate the green tea steaming method and real organic tea production.
Immerse yourself in the art of Japanese green tea at TGTA
At TGTA we welcome everyone who is interested in an organic or natural way of life. During your stay at the foot of the Sinharaja Nature Reserve, you will experience the meaning of "real organic" tea production and processing.
During your stay, you will be allowed to make your own Ceylon green tea in the Japanese style and buy up to 2 kg for yourself.
Due to the different type of tea, the same process gives Sri Lankan green tea a different flavor than Japanese green tea. I want as many people as possible to know about TGTA activities and learn about pure Japanese green tea.
Prof. Abey and the sustainability of Ceylon tea
"Ceylon Tea" is famous in the world and Sri Lanka produces some of the best (Ceylon) black teas in the world. The Takada Green Tea Academy is located in Sri Lanka's deep south, about 4 hours southeast of Colombo. Here Prof. Abey has been able to effectively eliminate the use of agrochemicals and artificial fertilizers in all his agricultural activities in this country. He initiated this program about 20 years ago, producing natural nutrients in harmonious symbiosis with other plants and animals.
Sustainable tea production: natural energy and environmental protection in harmony
They grow tea leaves that contain a lot of mineral and natural energy. Our tea stands for "non-violent environments and lifestyles". Plants, animals, insects and people must not be harmed. Fresh leaves, which are picked by 350 small tea growers nearby, are brought to the green tea factory. A new style of production has been established in the tea factory. Wood and water power are the natural resources used instead of fertilizers and pesticides.
Unique tea art: How traditions from Japan enrich tea production in Sri Lanka
In Japan, tea picking is women's work. The work in the factory is shared between men and women. Here in Sri Lanka, it is completely different: four female workers from a black tea factory are in charge of operating the machine and producing the green tea. We are convinced that we can produce fine, first-class tea leaves with the work of these female workers. And luckily I got this classic Japanese green tea machine from a tea factory in Ujitawara, which is not too big for the four women.
We would love for you to visit us here and spend a few days with us in the beautiful nature of Sri Lanka, while learning all about the production of organic Japanese style green tea in Sri Lanka.
Sincerely
Masahiro Takada