Speciality Japanese tea studio, Harvest Index opens in Collingwood

Japanese tea company, Harvest Index has quietly opened its tea studio this month on Johnston Street in Collingwood. Melbourne-based brand designers, Benjamin Wright and Lachlan Sinclair have partnered with the leading speciality tea retailer to offer this unique collection of 100% certified organic, limited release Japanese green tea to Australia. 

Designed by the duo’s agency LVDI, the intimate and considered space reimagines the Japanese tea experience. The materiality of the space blurs the lines between traditional tea house and science laboratory, with hardwood, stainless steel, soft white and forest green finishes creating a calming and considered ambience. Sourced seasonally from a seven-generation tea plantation in the Uji region in Kyoto, Japan, Harvest Index’s first collection stocks six varieties of Japanese tea – Matcha, Sencha, Genmaicha, Hojicha, Mizudashicha and Wakocha available in different grades. 

The studio’s sleek yet intimate interior is inspired by the Japanese concept of ‘yuttari’ – to feel relaxed. The bar takes a central focus for the seated tea tasting experience, with packaged tea stationed in uniform dispensers lining the adjacent wall. Behind the bar, a dark green velvet curtain conceals 150kg of rare Japanese tea. “Our studio is roughly 40 square metres, roughly the same size as a typical Japanese tea house. It’s exactly what we needed to re-create the ‘yuttari’ feeling”, says Wright.

The studio also offers tea enthusiasts a range of items including Japanese-made ceramic tea cups and pots courtesy of famed potter Chojin, bamboo tea spoons, the chasen (traditional Japanese whisks) and brewing equipment from Hario Japan. “Design is very important to us, so not only are these items practical, but they look effortless in the home too. Hario is supplying some of its lesser known tea making products such as their drip brew tea system”, says Wright. 

The Japanese tea ceremony is a spiritual pastime unique to Japan which Wright and Sinclair hope to introduce to Melbourne. It’s why they’ve flown in Harvest Index’s Japanese tea ceremony specialist, Rie Ohnuki to co-manage the studio, pouring tastings and guiding customers through the traditional tea ceremony practice. In Ri’s teatasting classes she demonstrates brewing techniques unique to each tea variety and grade, as well as the cultural significance and lifestyle benefits of Japanese tea.

Harvest Index is here to educate and most of all share the art of Japanese tea practice. “There’s something special about the ritual of tea that is so uniquely therapeutic. Yes, it takes a few precious minutes but it’s a way of incorporating meditation into daily life, while experiencing the changing flavours of tea as you brew throughout the day”, says Sinclair.

Harvest Index is located at 74 Johnston Street, Collingwood VIC 3066 and open Tuesday–Saturday from 10am to 6pm. Private bookings can be made via their website at harvestindex.co.

Website: harvestindex.co 

Phone number: 03 9486 0129

14^th March 2019