It's All About Tea

Brewing the perfect cup of tea – the hailed summit that every tea lover strives for during the years of practice and dedication! Indeed, to brew tea in the best way is an art that includes several key components: the quality of the tea leaves, the temperature and nature of the water, and the steeping time, considered the Holy Trinity of them all. When it comes to fine tuning, though, some low-key factors strongly impact the outcome. The technique used for pouring water is one of them. While most of us pay close attention to the type of tea and the water temperature, the way we pour water over our tea leaves often goes overlooked. Yet, it's a crucial step that can significantly influence our tea's flavor, aroma, and overall enjoyment.

In this blog post, we dive into water-pouring techniques for brewing tea. It might surprise you, but how you pour water can transform your tea experience. Every detail matters, from the height of the pour to the speed and the angle. Whether you're a seasoned tea enthusiast or just starting to explore the vast universe of tea, understanding these techniques can elevate your brew to new heights. So, grab your favorite teapot (or gaiwan) and let's explore how a simple change in your pouring method can unleash the full potential of your tea leaves (Read More)

"Champagne of teas", "the perfume of teas" are just a few among the nicknames of one of the most beloved teas out there, namely Dancong Oolong tea. Although Oolong tea came out as the last addition to the millennia-long tea history of China, it quickly gained popularity. It established itself, stealing the crown of red tea, or Hong Cha, as the most aromatic tea among the six tea types.

In this blog post, we'll unveil the mystery behind one of the most captivating aromas in the world of tea. We'll explore the factors that influence the formation of Oolong tea taste and aroma, and analyze the factors behind it, both from nature and science's points of view. We're talking specifically about Dancong Oolong, as it's the one type of Oolong tea with the most abundant variety of aroma profiles. However, the factors that influence the formation of the aroma and taste of Dancong Oolong apply to virtually any type of loose leaf oolong tea. Ready for it? Let's begin! (Read More)

In the previous blog post, we explored a hidden gem in the 22-million megapolis of Shenzhen – a tea house-turned-private museum of a renowned tea person, lover, and collector. Mr. Chen, the president of the Chaoshan Tea Association in Shenzhen, has a lifelong passion for tea and Gongfu Cha culture. With him as our guide, we embarked on a journey through time, discovering antique Gongfu Cha memorabilia, the air of then-times, and the stories hidden behind those objects.

In this blog post, we continue our journey in the Gongfu Cha realm, sipping high-quality almond-flavored Dancong Wulong, diving into the history and present of Gongfu Cha, as well as its representation in the daily life of local Chaozhou people (Read More)

A tea journey anywhere in Guangdong would not be complete without a visit dedicated to Gongfu tea culture and practice. Lucky for us, the 22-million megapolis of Shenzhen is not just near Chaozhou, the cradle of Gongfu tea. Many Chaozhou people moved there in the last four decades, making Shenzhen their new home. They have carried their culture and customs with them, establishing some of the most vibrant Gongfu tea communities in China and beyond. Currently, there are several tea associations, as well as a great number of tea companies and tea spaces originating from Chaozhou. They are engaged in the production and trade with Chaozhou-grown tea. At the same time, they promote and develop the Gongfu tea culture, shaping its new face and serving as a bridge between past and present times.

While in Shenzhen, we were lucky to meet with a notable figure in the Gongfu tea world, the president of the Chaoshan Tea Association in Shenzhen. Mr. Chen is a tea person who runs their own tea company and is a long-time collector of Gongfu tea culture artifacts and memorabilia. In an effort to preserve and pass on the legacy of his Chaoshan predecessors, he has turned his tea space into a private museum dedicated to Gongfu tea culture. (Read More)