4 avril 2024
Summer School (en anglais)
| Montreal’s famous Camellia Sinensis Tea School presents another Summer School opening its doors for two weekend programs to be given in English! The Summer School 2020 has 2 different programs, both based on a 2 day weekend. Tea enthusiasts, visiting from far and wide, will be offered a packed two days of tea related activities and a chance to enjoy the magical ‘joie de vivre’ of summertime in Montréal. All teas for the duration of the course will be fresh Spring arrivals or vintage, aged classics selected at source by Camellia Sinensis’ four tasters for their World renowned catalogue: camellia-sinensis.com The CS Team have compiled a list of accommodation possibilities, favourite restaurants and suggested activities to help visitors enjoy Montréal’s passion for good living and to ensure a memorable stay in their wonderful city. FOR MORE INFORMATION: contact us here | |
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| 25-26 JULY 2 TASTINGS AND 4 WORKSHOPS $500+TX *Read details below | |
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| 1-2 AUGUST 2 TASTINGS AND 4 WORKSHOPS $650+TX *Read details below | |
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Here’s what people are saying about last years’ Summer School. | |
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| ‘I would rate the overall course as the most illuminating tea education activity I have ever attended! ’ John Benson, Teahouse 278 Maine | |
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| ‘It all started with an elegant, floral and fresh 2015 Thurbo Darjeeling FF, and it ended with a sublime, complex and aged 1998 Yiwu Pu’er. In between, Kevin and Sebastien guided us, the summer school participants, through tea history, tea regions and many mouth-watering infusions. Their tea knowledge and anecdotes from the field captivated me. I have broadened my horizons and I bow to you, Kevin and Sebastien.’ Constance, Tea Afficiaonado. Calgary | |
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| ‘The beauty of the Passion for the Leaf class is that it wasn't built just for the tea novice nor the expert, but for the tea enthusiast. Whether you're in the tea industry or simply a tea lover, you will learn something and you'll have a great time doing so! I was fortunate enough to take both parts of the English Summer School at Camellia Sinensis, and I can honestly say it was worth every cent and every minute it took to travel there and take these fantastic courses. For anyone new to tea, the basics are covered but in a way that is fresh enough that even those well-versed in tea will learn new information. I could not have imagined how much I would learn in such a short amount of time (nor could I have imagined how many different teas we would taste!). An absolutely unforgettable experience!’ Ariel Beverly, Keurig Tea Program. Vermont | |
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| ‘Summer School was never so delightful! For tea enthusiasts everywhere, to visit Camellia Sinensis, in Montreal is a treasure; to partake of one of their workshops on this noble beverage is nonpareil. Their “Passion for the Leaf” tasting seminar is aptly named, for it fully expresses the spirit of CS and guides their work. While our tutorial was thoroughly planned and orchestrated, Kevin and Sebastien kept the atmosphere informal and our little group entertained. They were generous with their knowledge and skilled educators. An impressive amount & depth of material, and tasting, was covered over these two days as we sipped and shared our observations. Now having learned more of the language of tea I am eager and feel more confident to explore the expansive and exceptional range of teas they offer. Much admiration goes out to Kevin, Sebastien and everyone at Camellia Sinensis, for all they have created. Thank you for a most pleasurable and informative weekend.’ Dana Mallany, Tea Enthusiast. Toronto | |
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| ‘That was awesome! I really enjoyed myself. Thank you guys for the wealth of information, passion for tea, being down to earth, cool and relatable. I really look forward to the next time our paths cross and more tea can be drank and shared! Below are some words. In this day and age, it is nearly impossible to go on a great vacation and have amazing high end tea. Summer School in Montreal was the perfect pairing for the passionate tea drinker and world traveler. A big thanks to Kevin, Hugo and Sébastien for this wonderful class. It was an absolute pleasure to drink SO MUCH good tea over the course of two days. More than anything, it impressed upon me the effort and passion that Camellia Sinensis takes in sourcing and curating their tea selection, providing the perfect opportunity to appreciate what thousands of years of tea evolution has brought us, and where it is taking us next.’ Ravi Kroesen, Belloqc. Brooklyn | |
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| ‘Camellia Sinensis Summer School was everything I had hoped for. I plunged into the “Depths of Infusion”, a two day course, tasting small batch teas from their fine collection and under the guidance of the skilled CamSin team. The program was structured enough to keep us moving forward but fluid enough to allow some interesting tangents and personal discoveries, proving that the study of tea is a lifelong endeavour!’ Carlton, Tea Enthusiast. Brooklyn | |
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| ‘One of the brightest highlights of my busy summer was attending "Tea Summer School" at your wonderful facility. You and your team shared your knowledge of, and infectious passion for, tea in a way that was informative, accessible and exciting.’ Linda Gaylard the Tea Stylist, author of The Tea Book, by DK Publishing | |
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| "I'd like to express my sincere thanks to Kevin and Sebastien for the wonderful tea school this weekend. As an enthusiastic amateur, I found the breadth of the course was ideal to expand my horizons and fill in some of my blind spots. As for depth, Kevin and Sebastien did an impressive job of customizing to our diverse little group and were able to expertly answer every question we had. While there was plenty of factual knowledge to satisfy my inner academic, the real joy of the course comes from the experience: the experience of tasting such a fine selection from the Camellia Sinensis catalogue, and the experience of Kevin and Sebastien's infectious 'passion for the leaf'. All told, the entire weekend was one of the highlights of my summer. I can't wait to see what's next.” Bruce, Tea Enthusiast. Montréal | |
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| ‘As a novice that enjoys drinking tea, the workshop was a wonderful tour of the tea plants life; the best tools of preparation and knowledge shared, as well as the amazing exceptional tea tasting, was priceless. The workshop has definitely enhanced my tea moments of each day. Thank you to everyone at Camellia Sinensis for sharing their knowledge and wisdom.’ Ioanna, Tea Entrepreneur. New Mexico | |
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| Having participated in this comprehensive course on the history and appreciation of fine teas from around the world, I'd like to give my thanks to Kevin Gascoyne and to his associates for their efforts in bringing this course to the anglophone community. I highly recommend this course to anyone wanting to learn how to choose, prepare, serve and enjoy tea. In two days we received a briefing on the history of the tea growing regions of the world and were privileged to taste approximately fifty excellent teas as well. I have been lucky to live within walking distance to the Camellia Sinensis Teahouse in Montreal and to go there often. The large selection of teas at the Teahouse and the adjacent store are made possible through the hard work of the staff who travel to the tea growing areas of the world and select the best of the teas for the enjoyment of customers like me and my friends. My thanks again to all of them for giving us the opportunity to better enjoy all they have to offer. Warren, Tea Enthusiast. Palm Springs | |
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| I was happy to see you and meet your team. Your company is lovely. Thank you so very much.’ Elise, Pearl Fine Teas. Washington DC | |
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| ‘Thanks for a wonderful weekend of tea. Your course was a refreshing, uplifting, informative and fun intimate introduction to the complexities of terroir, manufacture, preparation and ceremony of tea. Leslie and I learned a lot and really enjoyed ourselves.’ Greg, Tea Enthusiast. Manitoba | |
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| ‘I'd like to thank you again for organizing the wonderful Tea Workshops last weekend. I really enjoyed it. As I said before, it is like a little adventure for me to taste the great tea from all over the world. I think even in China, where tea is popular, it is hard to find a place to try good quality tea from other countries. The workshops are well designed and well presented. I appreciate your careful selection of the diverse tea. You are very knowledgable and keen to share your expertise with us. I enjoy so much learning from you. It is also a great pleasure to meet other tea lovers.’ Jane, Tea Enthusiast. Waterloo | |
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| ‘Spending two full days at the tea school with Kevin and his crew was pure magic and exceeded my highest expectations. I run a tiny tea business, but even if this was not my work, I still would’ve treated myself to the course which focused on oolongs, Darjeelings, Japanese teas, and puer and aged teas. Sampling more than 50 teas, some of which are not even sold in the shop for their rarity, was so enjoyable and enlightening. The Camellia Sinensis guys put all of their heart and soul into sharing their hard-earned knowledge as they walked us through each cupping, answering questions and helping us discover and develop our own sensibilities around tea. To share in their travels, history and passion was priceless. And, I loved Montreal, to boot!!’ Teri Gelber, Tproject. Portland, Oregon | |
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| ‘Camellia Sinensis' Summer Tea School is not to be missed. A wonderful experiential workshop - where you learn by tasting a lot of great tea and sharing reflections with others all the while being guided by CS resident experts. This weekend greatly increased the breadth and depth of my palate and it was fun! Kevin was a great host who made us all feel at home and set up opportunities for socializing with fellow attendees. Long days of intense tasting flew by because I was so engaged. Thanks to Kevin, Hugo, Sebastien and all the staff at CS.’ John D. Eastwood, Tea Enthusiast. Toronto | |
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| ‘Thanks so much for everything this weekend. I learned a great deal and really enjoyed my experience with you and your team. The Imboolpitya 1st Flush has been lingering with me since Friday – it’s incredible! I thought the way you presented the information was very organic and flowed well. There was no point where I was scratching my head at the content, and it was a great opportunity to learn from the other participants as well. I couldn’t have asked for more.’ Phil Higdon, David’s Tea, Store Operations Project Manager. | |
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PART 1 - PASSION FOR THE LEAF25-26 JULY2 TASTINGS 4 COURSES FRIDAY NIGHT ARRIVAL SATURDAY MORNING 9:00 TASTING One of Camellia’s experienced team guides you through a comparative tasting line-up of select and rare delights from our catalogue. WORKSHOP: ‘DISCOVERY’ (For both Teachers and Students) 'The Discovery of Tea' Workshop is the perfect introduction for all; from the casually curious to the prospective taster. The history and legends, the world's main producers, differentiation of the styles of tea, teaware plus the beneficial effects of tea. Savour a selection of teas, discover the diversity of aromas and flavours while learning the parameters for achieving a successful infusion. Invaluable for both newcomers and tea-educators. LUNCH IN THE LATIN QUARTER 12:00-1:30 WORKSHOP: THE DRINK THAT CONQUERED THE WORLD The European taste for black teas caused numerous wars and revolutions before conquering the West. Trace the historical moments of this rapid conquest and the resulting socio-cultural impacts. The establishment of tea in European colonies, the mysteries of transformation and the decorum of four o'clock tea. Experience a professional comparative tasting of a dozen teas from the great terroirs of black tea. Portrait: Dilan Wijesekera, taster in Sri Lanka. Four o’clock Tea and Chat 4:00-5:00 SUNDAY MORNING 9:00 TASTING One of Camellia’s experienced team guides you through a comparative tasting line-up of select and rare delights from our catalogue. WORKSHOP WULONGS OF TAIWAN Benefiting from an ideal terroir for producing exceptional teas, Taiwan is an island of one speciality: Wulong. Browse its high mountains and the aromatic richness of its teas from high altitude plantations. History, cultivation methods and transformation techniques, roasting and ageing potential. Prepare a high mountain tea in gong fu cha and taste a wide selection of Wulongs. Portrait: Mr. Yu Nen, taster in the Dong Ding contest in Luku LUNCH IN THE LATIN QUARTER 12:00-1:30 WORKSHOP GRANDS CRUS (The World’s Great Classic Teas) What makes a Classic Tea? What are the elements of an exceptional cup? How can we appreciate its full potential? Since the days that these teas were reserved for Emperors to today, the ‘Grands Crus’ of the tea world have enchanted tea lovers. This tasting workshop presents four rare, exceptional and unforgettable teas at their best. | |
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PART 2 - THE DEPTHS OF INFUSION1-2 AUGUST2 TASTINGS 4 COURSES FRIDAY NIGHT ARRIVAL SATURDAY MORNING 9:00 TASTING One of Camellia’s experienced team guides you through a comparative tasting line-up of select and rare delights from our catalogue. WORKSHOP DARJEELING CHAMPAGNE OF THE HIMALAYAS The craze for Darjeeling teas is an unprecedented phenomenon in the world of tea. This workshop highlights the reasons why they were crowned the ‘Champagne of Black Teas’. Discover this quality focussed terroir Learn to recognize the typical differences of the seasonal harvests and taste the "signature" of several famous gardens in a comparative tasting. Portrait: JP Gurung, a renowned Darjeeling expert. LUNCH IN THE LATIN QUARTER 12:00-1:30 WORKSHOP JAPAN - GREEN TEA CULTURE AND THE ART OF LIVING Both traditional and modern tea culture in Japan are characterized by a mix of aesthetic and industrial approaches. This workshop presents the evolution of Japanese tea, focusing on the influence of Zen Buddhism, local use, botany and the shaded gardens, as well as the typical manufacturing methods. Practice the Senchado technique and taste several types of green tea, including the aristocratic dewdrops of Gyokuro. Four o’clock Matcha and Chat 4:00-5:00 SUNDAY MORNING 9:00 TASTING One of Camellia’s experienced team guides you through a comparative tasting line-up of select and rare delights from our catalogue. WORKSHOP THE FINESSE OF CHINA’S WULONGS AND BLACKS In Guangdong Province, teas are made from the leaves of a single tea tree. In Anxi the famous Tie Guan Yin continues to be legendary. To Wuyi Shan where the amazing "rock teas" are produced. Demystify the diversity of Wulong and the expertise of its artisans. Immerse yourself in the world of Chinese black teas with "Hong Gong Fu", their methods of oxidation and a traditional tasting with free infusion. Discover and savour the quality of the greatest terroirs, experiment with the Gong Fu cha technique and watch the production of the famous Yixing teapots. LUNCH IN THE LATIN QUARTER 12:00-1:30 WORKSHOP THE AGED TEAS OF PU ER, LIU BAO AND LIU AN WITH RARE AND PRECIOUS VINTAGE TEAS (1960-1990) Back to the origins with this workshop on aged tea. Discover historical aspects, the ‘Famous Mountains’, the old tea trees, the traditional processing methods and the health benefits of this ancient family of tea. Follow the recent history of the massive rise in popularity of Pu Er at the end of the 20th century and learn more about the ideal conditions for maturing your favorite teas. Use of the Gaiwan and tasting of several aged teas. Portrait: The original approach of a family of tea artisans in Yunnan This tasting workshop provides a unique opportunity to experience the "effect of time" with some rare and precious teas from 1960 to 1990. Four o’clock Tea and Chat 4:00-5:00 | |
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| ‘THE LONG WEEKEND’ Suggested Itinerary for both Programs • Friday night guests arrive and settle in to their hotel. • Saturday morning we meet at the Montréal Tea School for a tasting and a full day of courses. • Saturday evening free time to enjoy the city’s famous gastronomy and nightlife. Perhaps even a moment in the Teahouse. • Sunday morning we meet at the Montréal Tea School again for a tasting and a second full day of courses | |