Ms. Chie Helinski shares that the AP Japanese students went to the Ito-en Headquarters in Japan Village in Brooklyn to attend a tea workshop. It was a hands- on, interactive workshop. After learning about various kinds of green tea and
its health benefit as well as its history, the students poured tea using loose leaves and a tea pot. They were surprised at how sweet and mellow the tea tasted and realized how to pour tea is critical to making the best tasting tea. They then made the ceremonial green tea (as in "tea ceremony") and matcha latte using oat milk. The workshop ended with a haiku contest. The AP class wrote haiku in Japanese and selected works had been submitted to Ito-en beforehand. The best haiku award went to Tiffany Li, and she received a special gift for her work. Congratulations, Tiffany! Here is her haiku:
スープ飲めば Eating soup
ふわっと花開く Gently blossoms
ばあちゃんの愛 My grandma's love
