A TALE OF TEA 🌱
Heritage, Connection, and Regeneration
Growing up as a first-generation Chinese American, I found myself, like many third culture kids, searching for a connection between places and identities. For me, tea has always been a source of comfort and a bridge between cultures - an opportunity to slow down, share, and appreciate the moment. Tea is more than just a beverage; it's an integral part of my heritage.
While pursuing my college degree, I delved into the world of the commodity tea trade for my senior economics paper. This research exposed the industry's inefficiencies and inequalities, with deeply-rooted structures originating from colonialism. Large corporations and imperialism had stripped tea of its rich flavor and cultural significance, turning it into a mass-produced, profit-driven commodity.
Driven by a desire to experience tea cultivation firsthand, I embarked on a month-long journey to Hawai'i to work with a tea farm. There, I discovered the delicate attention and care required to nurture tea plants, resulting in the incredible, complex flavors we all love. I also witnessed how tea farming can be carried out regeneratively, protecting and nourishing the ecosystem in the process.
Today, I am proud to partner with exceptional regenerative farms from various regions, all sustainably growing and producing artisan loose-leaf teas and botanicals. I am thrilled to share these remarkable teas with you, as we celebrate our shared love for tea, heritage, and a brighter future for our planet.
Warmly, Cindy