Connecting Through Tea - Our First Tea Festival Experience

The phrase "以茶會友" (yǐ chá huì yǒu) can be translated into English as "connecting through tea." It expresses the idea of building relationships, fostering friendships, and engaging in meaningful conversations over a shared appreciation of tea. In many East Asian cultures, tea is more than just a drink—it symbolises hospitality, respect, and harmony.

Last weekend, We were honoured to be invited by a dear friend to participate in Neco No Thé Festival — I met this friend through tea, and once again, I met more tea friends at this festival. For 36 years, since I was just six years old, tea has been a part of my life — not as a business, but as a cherished ritual. However, my career path led me into the world of technology, far removed from the warmth of a tea gathering. Attending our first tea festival was a milestone for us, marking a transition from passionate tea drinkers to storytellers of Taiwanese tea. This experience was both humbling and inspiring. We stood among experts who had been in the trade for decades, surrounded by an array of well-established tea vendors offering a broad selection. A friend once cautioned us about the challenges of operating in the "speciality" tea niche, given the strong competition. Yet, for us, Formosa Tea Co. is more than just selling tea — it’s about sharing the essence of Taiwan’s tea culture with authenticity and sincerity.

The more we explore tea, the more we realise how much there is yet to learn. Even with the teas we grew up with and know intimately, new layers of knowledge and appreciation continue to unfold. This is the beauty of tea — it is an endless journey of discovery, a conversation that evolves with each cup. We don’t claim to know everything, and we never will, but what we do know, we share with passion and honesty. When we first stepped into the world of speciality tea, we envisioned ourselves standing behind a booth or hosting an event, brewing tea and sharing stories with guests. But we weren’t sure how many curious visitors we would encounter. At the festival, we found ourselves drawn into deep conversations, exchanging stories with guests who were equally eager to learn. Some were seasoned tea enthusiasts, while others were experiencing Taiwanese oolong for the very first time. Regardless of their level of familiarity, every interaction reaffirmed why we embarked on this journey. The warmth, curiosity, and appreciation we received from visitors reaffirm that tea is more than just a beverage — it is a bridge that connects people across cultures, backgrounds and experiences.

Through Formosa Tea Co., we aim to be more than just a tea merchant; we want to be a trusted source for those seeking authentic Taiwanese tea—collections that still remain accessible only to insiders. We want to share the tea my family and I grew up with, the tea we love and the tea that tells the story of Taiwan’s rich heritage. This first tea festival was just the beginning, and we look forward to many more moments of connection, learning and sharing over a cup of tea.

To those who joined us at the festival — thank you for allowing us to share our passion with you. I would also like to dedicate this blog post to my dear friend Sumie, one of the warmest and most inspiring souls I have had the pleasure of knowing. When she learned that we love the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, she kindly welcomed us into her home for a proper ceremony, sharing a wonderful selection of delicious Japanese tea. It was a truly delightful experience we will never forget. We are saddened to learn that she will be returning to Japan in a couple of months, and that this was the only Neco No Thé Tea Festival. However, Sumie has created something truly special — an event unlike any other in London. I sincerely hope this is just the beginning of fostering a more vibrant and thriving tea community here.

To those we have yet to meet—we look forward to welcoming you into our world of Taiwanese tea, one cup at a time.