Franzi's Tea Journey

 

Originally from Germany, my journey into the world of tea began rather recently, during a two-year work stint in Hong Kong, where I discovered my passion for Eastern tea culture and Matcha.

 

Since then, I’ve been eager to dive deeper into the world of matcha and operating a tea business, so the internship opportunity at D:Matcha couldn’t be a better fit.

 

Already on my way to the D:Matcha farm, the lush green tea fields to my left and right washed an instant sense of calm happiness over me. Daiki-san, Misato-san, and the entire D:Matcha family welcomed me so warmly that I quickly felt like I was exactly at the right place :)

 

While I usually stare at a screen for most of the day, interning at D:Matcha has been a huge and refreshing change for me so far, allowing me to disconnect and focus on the simple pleasures of everyday life.

 

Instead of checking emails, I now start my days with a freshly whisked cup of Matcha, trying new D:Matcha cultivars, while overlooking the tea fields of Yubune and enjoying the morning sun.

 

Then, I usually head out to join the harvest. With no prior farming experience, my wonderfully patient teacher, Hiroki-san, taught me the process of harvesting, trimming, and managing the tea fields, which has given me not only new muscles but also a deep appreciation for all the hard work involved in producing Matcha.

 

Another highlight was visiting the tencha factory in Wazuka. After unloading the heavy bags of our freshly harvested Tencha leaves, I got a personal tour through the intricate processing chain, from steaming to drying, and sorting the leaves to prepare them for grinding.

 

On my days off, I enjoy exploring the historic streets of Kyoto, scouting for new and authentic matcha experiences, and trying all the amazing Japanese foods.

 

Already now, I’m filled with so much awe, respect, and gratitude for the effort behind every spoonful of my favorite tea, and can’t wait for more matcha adventures!