Workshops
Educational & introspective explorations
Workshops conducted by Le cerf-volant and its host Raphaël have been designed as educational and introspective frameworks to further study, apply, and cultivate the historical, cultural, and practical knowledge and wisdom emerging from the plurality of the languages of tea. Those unique, accessible, and engaging learning opportunities bring innovative approaches in tune with our times, and aim to encourage the collective preservation, exploration, and application of tea in a mindful, empirical, and contemplative fashion.
The teachings and insights stemming from those workshops will equip each participant with a deeper appreciation, understanding, and sensibility in the brewing, tasting, and sharing of tea, as well as the aesthetics, sensory engagement, and the practices that color its essence.
If you would like Raphaël to craft a tea workshop or educational program tailored to your needs for a public or private event, please contact him directly.
[FW01] Introduction to the fundamentals of tea and tea brewing
- I. Short history of tea
- II. Classification and processing technique spectrum
- III. Basics of tea brewing and utensil selection
- IV. The importance of water
- V. Tasting and appreciation guidelines
This workshop has been specifically designed for individuals eager to make their first steps into the world of tea or beginner tea practitioners looking to consolidate the foundations and understanding of their personal practice. Through this introduction of the fundamentals of tea and tea brewing, a plurality of aspects will be covered, such as the history of tea, tea classification and processing techniques, brewing procedure and selection of the required utensils, use and importance of water, as well as tasting and appreciation guidelines.
The tea practice that is taught will be focused on the Taiwanese (gān pào 乾泡) gōng fu chá 工夫茶 tradition. Teas presented during this workshop will be of organic or natural origin, often made in an artisan fashion. Upon completion of this introductory educational program, participants will be equipped with practical knowledge and tools to start or further nourish their own tea practice through better understanding and guidance.
- Public: For individuals unfamiliar with tea, looking to start their own tea practice, or beginner tea practitioners looking to consolidate their foundations.
- Duration: ~4 hours
- Participants: 8 pax (max)
- Location: TBD
- Language: English
- Price: Contact Raphaël for more information.
Next public FW01 workshops
No scheduled workshops at the moment.
If you would like Raphaël to conduct this specific tea workshop for a private event, please contact him directly.
[FW02] Introduction to the fundamentals of organoleptic appreciation in tea
- I. Landscape and multilayerity of tea tasting and profiling
- II. Sensory engagement through leaves and liquor appreciation
- III. Enhancing the appreciation experience through tea utensils and cues
- IV. Honing and expanding the palate through standardized personal tea evaluation protocols
- V. Other explorations in the sensory versatility of tea
This workshop has been specifically designed for beginner tea practitioners looking to get more familiar with the basics of organoleptic appreciation in tea and related terminology to further improve their tasting approach and skills through a multidimensional perspective. It stands as a great opportunity to get introduced to and further explore the eclecticity of the sensory landscape of tea.
Through this educational program, participants will be equipped with practical knowledge and tools, while getting the chance to learn more about tea profiling, sensory engagement and associated lexicon through the appreciation of flavor and aroma notes, the use of tea utensils in the appreciation and tasting process, the creation of standardized evaluation protocols for personal use, and to explore other sensory paths and experiences.
Note: This workshop does not cover tea quality assessment and associated SOPs seen in professional tea evaluation.
- Public: For beginner tea practitioners and any other individuals looking to improve and further explore their tasting skills, personal appreciation experience, and hone their palate through an organoleptic perspective.
- Duration: ~2 hours
- Participants: 8 pax (max)
- Location: TBD
- Language: English
- Price: Contact Raphaël for more information.
Next public FW02 workshops
No scheduled workshops at the moment.
If you would like Raphaël to conduct this specific tea workshop for a private event, please contact him directly.
[FW03] Introduction to the fundamentals of aesthetics and arrangement in cháxí 茶席 design
- I. Weaving the perfume of time
- II. Form and emptiness
- III. Lights and shadows
- IV. Harmony and chaos
- V. Seasonality and mundanity
This workshop has been specifically designed for beginner tea practitioners looking to get more familiar with the essence and philosophy of aesthetics and arrangement in tea through the conception of a cháxí 茶席 (tea stage). Standing as an extension of the practitioner’s practice and personality, the cháxí 茶席 aims to convey and honor the pure expression of the inherent impermanence of the present moment through the dynamic of appearances, spaces, and cycles, leading to an intimate encounter with the true nature of Life.
This educational program will primarily focus on the design of a cháxí 茶席 in the context of the Taiwanese (gān pào 乾泡) gōng fu chá 工夫茶 tea tradition. Participants will be equipped with practical knowledge and tools to craft an organic and authentic tea stage for themselves and others through the exploration of shapes, colors, textures, lightning, placement, nature, and time to further deepen the relationship with their own practice while highlighting its idiosyncrasies.
- Public: For beginner tea practitioners and any other individuals looking to design organic and authentic tea stages through a better understanding of aesthetics and arrangement.
- Duration: ~2 hours
- Participants: 8 pax (max)
- Location: TBD
- Language: English
- Price: Contact Raphaël for more information.
Next public FW03 workshops
No scheduled workshops at the moment.
If you would like Raphaël to conduct this specific tea workshop for a private event, please contact him directly.
[SW01] Water and tea
- I. Water and tea over the history: a tale of bubbles
- II. Sourcing and understanding water: here and there, then and now
- III. Kettles and heating sources: influencing factors and parameters
- IV. Building a water filtration system: a low-tech approach
- V. Maximizing brewing skills: living water, living tea
This workshop has been specifically designed with beginners and intermediate tea practitioners in mind, as well as any individuals cultivating an interest in bringing their own tea practice to the next level through the exploration and understanding of water. Water being the main component of a cup of tea, all students of tea are bound to be students of water. Through this workshop, this critical, invaluable element that carries Life – often overlooked, mistreated, misunderstood, and unappreciated – will be covered through multiple lenses in the context of tea.
This unique educational program will equip each participant with practical knowledge and tools to experience, interpret, and improve their water to further nourish their tea practice. Among other areas of study, participants will have the opportunity to explore the history of water and tea in conjunction with its interdependent relationship; learn how to source, compare, and improve water; build your own low-tech water filtration system; maximize brewing skills to craft a better tea infusion and drinking experience for oneself and others.
- Public: For beginner to intermediate tea practitioners as well as any individuals cultivating an interest in bringing their own tea practice to the next level through water.
- Duration: ~4 hours
- Participants: 8 pax (max)
- Location: TBD
- Language: English
- Price: Contact Raphaël for more information.
Next public SW01 workshops
No scheduled workshops at the moment.
If you would like Raphaël to conduct this specific tea workshop for a private event, please contact him directly.
[SW02] The slow silences of tea
- I. The cocoon of tea
- II. In search of eternity: tea and poetry in ancient China
- III. Basics of tea brewing and utensil selection
- IV. Cháxí 茶席 aesthetics and philosophy: contemplation and personal expression through arrangement
- V. Tea as a bridge and meditation practice: crafting and hosting introspective tea experiences
This workshop has been specifically designed with meditation, yoga, healing arts, and holistic health practitioners and teachers in mind, as well as creative individuals. Aiming to articulate the value of silence in an introspective and intimate sitting with tea, participants will learn exploratively how to hold space by crafting a safe environment conducive to the cultivation of a personal and shared meditative tea practice.
The tea practice that is taught will be focused on the Taiwanese (gān pào 乾泡) gōng fu chá 工夫茶 tradition. Teas presented during this workshop will be of organic or natural origin, often made in an artisan fashion. Upon completion of this educational program, participants will be equipped with practical knowledge and tools to nourish and share their own tea practice, as well as conduct tea sharing sessions intended to a spectrum of publics relevant to their discipline or field of work.
- Public: For practitioners and teachers of meditation, yoga, healing arts, holistic health, creative individuals, and any tea practitioners looking to tap into the contemplative essence of tea.
- Duration: ~4 hours
- Participants: 8 pax (max)
- Location: TBD
- Language: English
- Price: Contact Raphaël for more information
Next public SW02 workshops
No scheduled workshops at the moment.
If you would like Raphaël to conduct this specific tea workshop for a private event, please contact him directly.
[SW03] Hakka-style suān gān chá 酸柑茶 making (sour orange tea)
Description coming soon
Next public SW03 workshops
No scheduled workshops at the moment.
If you would like Raphaël to conduct this specific tea workshop for a private event, please contact him directly.