It's All About Tea

When we were in Shenzhen, we were introduced to Zhan Laoshi, the Inheritor of Gong Fu Tea Art Intangible Cultural Heritage. This title signifies that for generations, Zhan's family has been deeply immersed in the Gong Fu Cha culture and that Zhan Laoshi himself has made a significant contribution to the art of Gong Fu Cha.  

Chaozhou is the cradle of Gong Fu Cha. This is where it all started during the Ming Dynasty. Over the centuries, this fascinating culture became deeply ingrained in the lives of the people of Guangdong. It then made its way to Taiwan, underwent further development in the 1970s, returned to mainland China, and spread worldwide.

We simply couldn't miss this chance to learn about Chaozhou Gongfu Cha from a person such as Zhan Laoshi. (Read More)

When visiting Dingshu town in Yixing, we were lucky to meet with an amazing ZiSha artist, Shen Si Yu, whose deep knowledge and understanding of ZiSha clay made a big impression on us and changed some of our previous ideas about Yixing clay. We spent two days drinking tea and talking about tea and ZiSha clay. In the end, Si Yu agreed to an interview. (Read More)

Our recent journey to China took us through Guangdong, Northern Fujian, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang (among other places), immersing us in these regions' rich cultures. We had the privilege of meeting many amazing tea masters and pottery craftsmen. Each conversation, every encounter, and the countless cups of tea we shared provided a wealth of knowledge and insights into the current state of tea farming and craftsmanship.

We observed several intriguing trends and shifts in the world of tea. From the urban migration of tea farmers to the rise of young, innovative tea masters, the landscape of tea production is undergoing significant changes. However, it's important to note that these observations are limited by the short duration of our stay and the natural constraints of such an exploration.

This blog post aims to share some of these observations and reflections, providing a glimpse into China's dynamic and ever-evolving world of tea farming and craftsmanship. Join us as we explore how modern influences are shaping Chinese tea farming and the challenges it faces today. (Read More)

We just returned from a journey through several renowned tea regions in China, including Chaozhou, Dehua, Jianyang, Wuyi, Hangzhou, and Yixing. During our travels, we had the privilege of mingling with locals, tea producers, teachers of tea art, and pottery artists, all of whom have a deep connection to tea. While drinking unimaginable amounts of tea with them, we were fortunate to observe their interactions with tea and gain insight from our conversations and direct experience.  

As many Westerners do, we embarked on this trip with certain preconceived notions about these legendary tea places and their tea traditions. However, what we experienced often diverged from our expectations. In this blog post, I want to share my preconceived perceptions and juxtapose them with my actual experiences. So, join me as I recount our adventures and observations. (Read More)