15/05/2025
Doing farm work for four days in Yame, Fukuoka, Japan under the guidance of Tea Master Masashi Harashima gave me a deeper appreciation for the effort that goes into .
1. Preparing for processing: Cleanliness is essential. To prepare for sun withering, we swept the grounds and neatly laid down the blue sack cloth where the leaves would be spread. The sweeping felt almost meditative, as if the rhythmic movement cleared both the ground and my mind. 😄 It was also a good physical exercise.
2. Sorting and picking out what did not belong in the pile of tea leaves: During withering and after the first drying, we carefully picked out non-tea leaves and hard branches that had gotten mixed with the tea leaves during machine harvesting. This task required not only a keen eye but real patience, reminding me that maintaining quality demands consistent effort and attention to detail.
3. Handpicking tea leaves: Although we only handpicked a few leaves for white tea from areas that the machine could not reach, the selective process felt purposeful, almost like choosing the finest ingredients for a cherished recipe. Each pluck required thoughtfulness, respecting the leaf's potential to become something special.
4. Rolling the tea leaves. When doing it by hand, balancing intention and gentleness is key. It sounds simple, but mastering the rolling technique takes practice. It is like a dance between care and force. Too gentle, and the leaves do not release their full character; too forceful, and they lose their integrity.
5. Clearing unwanted growth. As we pulled out weeds and stray shoots from the tea bushes, I noticed how some of these plants, despite being out of place, had their own value. Yet, they did not belong there. In life, letting go is not always easy, especially when something appears valuable on its own. Yet, by clearing away what does not truly support our purpose, we allow the essential to thrive.
Finally, as I moved from one task to another, I realized that making tea is not just about transforming leaves into a beverage... It is about honoring tradition, practicing mindfulness, and nurturing both the tea plant and one's spirit.
