The history of tea-making and tea-drinking spans thousands of years, a time-honoured ritual that is not only deeply nourishing but also beneficial to one’s well-being. There’s something therapeutic about the practice of making a cup of tea, where the simple art of brewing leaves and herbs with boiling water yields remarkable benefits.
For those keen on learning the art of tea-making, a homegrown brand in Bali provides an insightful and immersive experience that will give you all the know-how: the Tea-Making Workshop at Made Tea.
Located in Peliatan village in Ubud, Made Tea was established in 2015 by visionary Balinese, Ni Made Roni. Growing up in a Balinese family with a rich farming history, she learned firsthand about agriculture from a young age, where her unwavering passion to become a faithful protector of Mother Nature became apparent.
Her globetrotting adventures fuelled her burgeoning interest in diverse cultures and flavours, where a visit to a Sunday market in Dublin exposed her to the vast world of teas from around the globe. This inspired her to travel to Mumbai, India, to learn how to make chai tea. Since then, she has dedicated her life to innovating teas, and thus Made Tea was born.
Upon returning to Bali, her focus shifted towards cultivating the incredible variety of local plants and herbs found abundantly in the region. Her goal is to improve health, happiness and overall well-being through the production of unique and uplifting teas. Not only is it her mission to produce the finest quality blends but Made Tea supports local farmers, creates jobs for local workers, and inspires generations to value agriculture.
The farming programme at Made Tea collaborates with community farmers and women across eight villages in Bali, sourcing natural herbs from the fertile soils of Ubud. All blends are locally grown without the use of camellia sinensis (tea plant), crafted with 100% natural ingredients, free from additives and preservatives, and grown using natural fertilisers without pesticides, ensuring prime quality and purity.
A wholesome activity perfect for groups, the Tea-Making Workshop takes place in an open-air, thatched-roof structure just above the venu’s café. Ascending to the second level, you’ll be welcomed with breathtaking and unobstructed views of Ubud’s lush jungle surroundings, offering a charming and breezy setting complete with the equipment and utensils needed, as well as a collection of jars with dehydrated ingredients that have undergone a drying process.
During the workshop, you will learn about the incredible healing powers and advantages of herbs and botanical plants. Before the insightful workshop begins, Roni will invite you to tour her secret garden, where you’ll discover a wealth of plants and herbs used in Made Tea’s products, ranging from familiar ingredients such as rosemary, mint, ginger, and turmeric to less common ones such as cat whiskers, marigold, and globose.
The hands-on workshop will teach you steeping techniques, brewing secrets, and the perfect pour. You will embark on a sensory tasting journey, indulging in curated loose-leaf blends while savouring the distinctive flavours and aromas.
Roni will craft blends from several products sold at Made Tea, such as the Healing Tea – a beautiful blend combining the refreshing flavours of lemongrass, rose and marigold, creating a soothing and aromatic tea great for calming, as well as the Brain Booster Tea – consisting a blend of mild gotu kola, floral marigold, earthy moringa, and refreshing mint, offering a balanced and aromatic flavour that enhances focus.
After learning the health benefits and beauty of brewing with botanicals, you’ll get the opportunity to create your own blend using available ingredients. This is your chance to be creative and make a blend that is uniquely yours. In true high-tea fashion with a local twist, the tea-tasting experience will also be accompanied by an assortment of traditional Balinese snacks and sweets.
The interactive workshop welcomes enthusiasts of all levels, it does not matter if you’re an amateur or a seasoned connoisseur. This immersive activity allows you to unearth the magical world of tea and its abundant medicinal and wellness benefits. Who knows? The workshop might leave you feeling inspired to start growing herbs and botanicals to brew your own herbal teas at home.
Made Tea
Jl. Gn. Sari, Peliatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar
+62 819 9949 2348
@madeteas
madeteas.com
