Every culture on earth has a sacred cup. Come find yours.

The Sacred Cup Workshop Series is a hands-on journey through the history, plants and magic of tea, led by Certified Tea Master CJ Sugita-Jackson, PhD, founder of Tea4Peace. Each workshop stands on its own, so you can join one or experience all three. Whether you have never brewed loose leaf tea or you already keep a shelf full of tins, you will leave with new skills, a calmer mind, and a ritual to bring home.

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Each workshop is inspired by a book in CJ’s upcoming series, The Sacred Cup, and blends story, mindful practice and a honest look at what history, tradition and research really tell us about the cup.

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The details

• Where: Community Center 729, 729 N Thornton Ave, Orlando, FL 32803

• Cost: $20 per workshop

• Group size: limited to 20 guests, so everyone gets personal attention

• What’s included: all tea, herbs, teaware and materials. Just bring yourself.

• Experience: none needed. Every workshop is designed for beginners.

• DATES & REGISTRATION

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Workshop One: The Way of the Cup

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Gongfu Cha and the Art of Mindful Tea · 60 minutes

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Slow down and discover tea as a moving meditation. This workshop opens with the story of tea in China: the legend of the emperor Shennong, the scholar Lu Yu and the first book ever written about tea, and the rise of Gongfu Cha, the traditional Chinese art of brewing tea with skill and care. You’ll also learn how tea and Zen traveled from China to Japan, which connects the past to the Japanese teas you’ll brew in class.

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Then the real practice begins. Each guest brews at their own tea set, with a small teapot, a sharing pitcher and a tasting cup. Together you’ll warm the teaware, awaken the leaf, and pour a series of short infusions, pairing each movement with the breath. Every pour has its own focus: sight and scent, breath, silence, and gratitude. You’ll leave with a “Gongfu at Home” card so you can keep the ritual going in your own kitchen.

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You’ll leave with: the story of tea in China, the confidence to brew Gongfu style, and a simple daily ritual for calm.

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Workshop Two: The Living Materia

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Build Your Own Tea Blend · 60 minutes

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How does one plant become so many teas? In this workshop you’ll explore five Japanese teas side by side: Sencha, Sakura Sencha, Gyokuro, Kukicha and Hojicha. You’ll learn how shading, steaming, using the stems and roasting give each one its own character.

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Next, meet six beloved herbs: peppermint, lemon balm, chamomile, ginger, rose petals and dried orange peel. You’ll learn the history, flavor and traditional use of each one, along with an honest look at what research does and does not show and who should avoid it.

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Then it’s your turn. Using a simple three-part formula, you’ll create a blend in your own blending bowl, brew it in your own tea set, taste it, and adjust it until it’s just right. Name your creation, share it with the group, and take a sample home along with your recipe card.

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You’ll leave with: an original tea blend made by you, its recipe, and a clear way to tell tradition from evidence when you shop for teas and herbs.

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Workshop Three: Magic in the Glass

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Tea Spells and Magical Mocktails · 60 minutes

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Step into the enchanting side of tea. You’ll discover how intention, symbolism, the four elements and the cycles of the moon have shaped tea rituals for centuries, with a clear look at what is symbolic and what is science. Watch a “color spell” as butterfly pea flower tea turns from deep blue to violet before your eyes, and learn the real chemistry behind the magic.

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Then you’ll craft the Moonlit Tea Mule, an alcohol-free tea mocktail served in a copper mug. Choose an intention for the season: Protection, Joy and Abundance, Love, Courage or Renewal. Each one has its own tea, syrup and garnish. Seal your drink with a simple stirring spell, raise your mug in a group toast, and design a signature mocktail of your own to make at home.

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You’ll leave with: a personalized magical mocktail, an intention chart for future creations, and a signature recipe card. Every drink is completely alcohol free.

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About your instructor

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CJ Sugita-Jackson, PhD, is a Certified Tea Master, Certified Tea Minister and Master Herbalist with a PhD in Philosophy of World Religions. CJ is the founder of Tea4Peace TranquiliTea Lounge, has owned and operated a wellness spa for seven years, and is the author of The Sacred Cup, a three-book series on the history, ritual, plants and magic of the world’s beverage traditions.

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Questions? Contact CJ at CJ@Tea4Peace.org or visit tea4peace.org.

Seats are limited to 20 per workshop. Reserve your spot today.