Class Report
Matcha, Genmaicha, Cha Cha Cha: Green Tea 101
Teacher: Erika Rydberg (left), KCDC organizer and DC Public Library employee
Documentarian: Kelley MacEwen
Location: Erika’s house
Date: March 23, 2014
See more photos of this class on Flickr!
What we learned: Green tea has a rich history, comes in a variety of flavors, and serves a number of purposes for health and well-being.
All tea comes from one species of plant; the variety of flavors comes from preparation after picking.
There’s a tea for every flavor preference. We sampled light teas, fruity teas, and bitter teas, served cold and hot. Erika explained the process of steeping and how certain practices lead to different flavors and intensities.
Books on tea:
“The Green Tea Book” by Lester A. Mitscher and Victoria Toews
“The Tea Enthusiast’s Handbook” by Mary Lou Heiss and Robert J. Heiss
“The Harney & Sons Guide to Tea” by Michael Harney
“Teany Book: Stories, Food, Romance, Cartoons and, of Course, Tea” by Moby and Kelly Tisdale
“The Book of Green Tea” by Diana Rosen
Where to buy tea:
Capital Teas in Dupont Circle, Bethesda, and other neighborhoods
Ching Ching Cha in Georgetown
The Spice and Tea Exchange in Georgetown
Pearl Teas at Eastern Market and other locations
Hana Japanese Market on U Street
Teaism, multiple locations; Erika’s favorite is the one in Penn Quarter
Da Hsin Trading Company on Seventh Street in Chinatown
H Mart in Falls Church