Ever since 1998

The year was 1998, when I was not so old yet. These Phoenix producers are still my suppliers today.

In the beginning, it was the joy of obtaining a batch of tea directly from the hands that made it that attracted me to the tea trade. Some friends said I was seduced by it. That was in 1998 when I was still operating a lucrative creative communication consultancy, and the ancient trade of selling tea was financially extremely unattractive by comparison.

To me, however, having met those sincere and honest people who produce such wonderful dried leaves following their ancient heritage hit deep in the heart.

Surviving decades of cultural annihilation

A family being sent back to China in an attempt to cross the border to Hong Kong in February 1962, during the aftermath of the Great Leap Forward and the beginning of Cultural Revolution

Since childhood, I had witnessed the catastrophes of all the destructive movements raised by the Communists that had completely ruined not only the lives of hundreds of millions, but also the traditional Chinese values that my mother and my school teachers had induced me with. It was destiny that my mother had fled to the British colony of Hong Kong in the 1940’s that made it possible for me and my sisters to be born and raised in the civilised world. While in China, morality has collapsed. Corruption prevails. Since the late 80’s when that “Chinese style socialistic capitalism” has been allowed, people sell their bodies, their morality, and their souls for money and power. A culture went through a revolution to have become a nation in which evil prevails.

Hope from within a rotten core

Beyond the mass media, the reality of this country where tea originated has been close to me because I had been travelling through it since a boy. In the beginning, it was going with my mother to bring life-saving provisions to her siblings and their families who were still in their home villages. In my early years after undergrad, it was taking photos and exploring ancient sites for the trend in the travel industry in the 80’s. In the 90’s when I was back in Hong Kong from the US, as a consultant for international corporations operating in China.

Fake products prevail. Dishonesty is the rule. That was why when such genuine and wonderfully tasteful dried leaves were shared with me by those humble and sincere village people moved me so deeply. It means there is still hope. They have managed to holdfast to a small portion of a valuable culture and its values. Their works should be revered.

Professionalism in Tea, a special feature by the journalist Hui Yuk. Cup Magazine, August 2006

Purely tea

That is why we focus purely in quality pure tea. Not the “blends” by the likes of global brands made with machines and underpaid labourers. Not to mention those miserable industrialised products which taste so poorly that they have to be “flavoured” as disguise. Most importantly, not any products from those “major” national exporters or wholesalers selling old stocks, blends or fakes with prestigious labels and false information.

That was the beginning of my mission. Today, working directly with farmers and producers across the continent of Asia, we still hold on dearly that same objectives.

Pure fine tea, to me, is not only a more civilised taste, an irreplaceable epicurean experience, a unique health beverage, and an important human heritage, but also a position to stand with on the other side of corporate and power dominance.

That keeps me energetic to start every workday.

← About us   | § |  Pure passion →

See all teas