It's All About Tea

In every person's life, certain elements hold profound significance, shaping who we are and how we navigate the world. For me, among other things, two of these elements are the practice of Tea and the philosophy of Buddhism. While they may not always intersect in my daily life, the connection with them influences my character and perspective in subtle yet powerful ways.

Amid the rush of modern life, it's easy to let this connection slip into the background, to forget that the practice of Tea and the practice of Zen are, in essence, one and the same. Both offer a path to mindfulness, simplicity, and a deeper engagement with the present moment. They remind me to slow down, to savor the here and now, and to find peace in the simplicity of being.

Yet, despite the simplicity of this concept, I often find myself returning to it, seeking to understand and articulate what it truly means for Tea and Zen to be "of one flavor." This blog post is my attempt to explore that connection more fully, to put into words what I believe lies at the heart of both practices and why they are, indeed, inseparable in spirit. (Read More)

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)

During our last visit to China, while in Shenzhen, we visited Tiffany Lau. Tiffany is a Liu Bao tea collector, editor-in-chief of "Liubao Tea Microjournal", national tea evaluator, and identification expert of Liu Bao Tea. She served as a judge for the Liu Bao Tea Battle Competition sessions. Over the years, Tiffany has promoted Liubao Tea Culture to tea enthusiasts both domestically and internationally through numerous articles, videos, and in-person tea gatherings. We had many teas and a long conversation about all things tea. This blog post is a compilation of our friendly talk over numerous cups of Hei Cha, presented of an interview for ease of reading. We hope you'll find it insightful. (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)