Lessons about Japanese Tea at Chaya Store in Berlin

Japanese tea means more than green tea, but authentic learning about this specific topic is hard to get outside Japan. Therefore, I was more than happy to discover that the relatively recently open store Chaya - Cha - tea, ya - store - at Bikini Berlin offers a special Tea seminar - Teeseminar - explaining the basics of the brewed drinks. I booked immediately an available spot - the number of participants is limited and you might wait more than one month until you can find a free place, therefore, the sooner the better. The price is 10 EUR. for more than one hour and it includes tea testing, plus some specific Japanese cakes matching the various tastes. Definitely worth it!

Before the seminar started I had a look again around the store, which offers authentic Japanese products - tea, snacks, but more importantly utensils used in the everyday life, such as rice and sake bowls.

The ceramic, for instance, are authentic and share the trademark of various artists and styles that I also encountered while attending various specific workshops in various parts of Japan during my full year spent in the country.

Kimonos and yukatas are also waiting to be admired and bought by anyone interested to start or develop its collection of precious Japanese traditional items.

Or small gadgets to adorn your cell phone...All you need to create a veritable Japanese lifestyle in your Berlin home. The prices are for all kind of budgets, with the ceramics rightly priced for their value and authenticity.

As for the tea seminar, I didn't know what to expect, but it was very intensive, both in taste and information, and very generous with the tasting of excellent teas. As I am not necessarily a tea person myself, I appreciated the very clearn information about the tastes and preparation techniques, as well as the fine selection of teas. 

For instance, I've learned that there are some teas which do have natural sweetness - like Gentle Treat - or Kukihouji, my favorite -and Sunday Morning - or I discovered some interesting new tastes like Best Friend or My Bancha. Most of them are originary from Shizuoka, the center of the Japanese tea production, near the Fuji mountain. 

I also loved that I was able to learn not only about the teas themselves, but also about the utensils to be used for preparing and serving them, which are important as they keep maintaining the required temperature. For the brewing of each tea, special water temperature was indicated. After a short demonstration, we were back to our reserved seats for practicing the lessons learned, which was another great tea experience.

You learn to taste, feel and smell every single tea sampled and it can be a great start of a relationship not only with a product, but with a thousand-year tradition and lifestyle.

I would definitely love to repeat this experience, but would equally love to offer such a Teeseminar as a present to one of my tea-lover friends. As for the store, would always be happy to pay a visit in a place which reminds me so much of the beautiful Japan.

The Top Destinations for Luxury Shopping in Berlin

Characterized by one of its former mayers as 'poor, but sexy', the city of Berlin is known worldwide for its affordable housing - not for too long though - cheap food and alternative style of living - especially in the Eastern part of the city. However, there are a couple of top luxury destinations too, where top brands are inviting you to stop and leave with the latest top notch items. For the luxury lovers, I went up and down to the Berlin shopping avenue, bringing you the top destinations.

Ku'damm

Paris has Champs Elysees, London has Oxford Street, Berlin has its traditional shopping avenue: Ku'damm - or Kürfurstendamm. Situated in the Western part of the city, close to the Zoo metro station, this street is not only the destination for the top luxury brands, but also has a special architecture and a special bourgeois and luxury flair.

You will find here all the best luxury brand known worldwide: from Chanel to Louis Vuitton, Prada and Gucci, Cartier and Rolex. After you are done with the shopping, you can sip a coffee at Kempinski or have some sweet treats at Grosz, all famous foodie establishments of the West Berlin.

KaDeWe

The luxury history of West Berlin cannot be told without mentioning the 110-year young KaDeWe, where you can find in one place almost all the famous brands in the world. You have them all just for you, from home products to interior design, fashion for men, women and children and a big food court too. 

Bikini Berlin

If you are more into alternative, yet luxury fashion designers, the newest kid on the top notch shopping block of the West - Bikini Berlin, is your answer. It might look like a reconditioned industrial factory, but it has regularly pop-up stores where the best of new designers are presenting their works. Don't worry, the prices are high and you have the advantage of wearing unique pieces of clothing, most of them limited editions created for a selective audience.

The Mall of Berlin

Talking about new kids...The Mall of Berlin whose opening created various controversies, is an unique presence in this shopping world.  270 shops covering a variety of products and brands are waiting for you in the newest and most dynamic part of the city - Potsdamer Platz. Berlin and Germany in general is not too keen on malls, prefering less glamorous investments and locations. However, keeping up with the world trends is hard therefore the city has - as for now - at least one such consummerist destination. 

The Corner Berlin

However, the shopping patterns are changing slowly, and most Berliners will prefer the comfort of a cozy location where they can browse at peace, and without too many people around, the best designer creations from all over the world. For such exquisite customers, The Corner Berlin, in Gendarmenmarkt, is the perfect destination. The shop is the location of high-fashion events too, such it was a couple of years ago for the launching of the book of the French stylish icon Garance Doré. If you cannot make it yet in person, you might know that online shopping is also possible.

Quartier 205 - Galeries Lafayette

All those locations are perfectly fine and many do have precious brands, many of them made in Berlin, but for me, nothing compares to the special feeling of walking the elegant location of Quartier 205. It breathes fashion and style, French style, for every step you take on the black and white squarred marble. After getting used with the overwhelming elegance, I always go on the other side of the building to have a look at the newest French products from the food section at Galeries Lafayette, the best gourmet food quarters in the city - sorry KaDeWe - especially for having a bit at some addictive pastry made according to the highest standards of the French cuisine.