A Tea Journey Beyond Borders: the business side
A Tea Journey Beyond Borders
While I don't have photographs of every moment—sometimes you're simply too immersed in the experience, and other times taking pictures would feel intrusive—I did capture meaningful memories during the more social gatherings.
I'm sharing these images because I've encountered skepticism when describing my experiences. This journey was genuinely transformative. Meeting tea leaders from around the world was extraordinary—they were incredibly warm, knowledgeable, and welcoming.
This experience helped me overcome my imposter syndrome. From what I gathered, everyone in the American delegation was regarded as professional and personable. I believe this sentiment extended to most international representatives as well, as those I interacted with treated me with respect and genuine collegiality.
I was also honored to receive invitations to future conferences (I believe most delegates received similar invitations, though I didn't poll everyone). Unfortunately, prior commitments prevented me from attending the Meizhou International Tea Elites Summit. Colleagues who participated reported it was an exceptional and worthwhile event.
My collection of photographs doesn't capture all the conferences we attended or the formal invitation to meet the global tea gardens, but they offer glimpses into this remarkable experience.
Yibin Sichuan China
The welcoming event and business the day after the Tea Tasting Ceremony at the Yangtze River Park
Inside the Specialty Tea Exhibition
Outside of the Specialty Tea Exhibition with the US representatives
We watched the Shouting Ceremony. Hosts offered tea and oranges, kindly offering to peel the fruit for guests.
Mingwei tea farm/processing/museum/retail near the Shouting Ceremony
Mingwei factory sorting tea leaves close to the Shouting Ceremony
Conference about global tea trends with issues and wins for each country
Some of the buses transporting the global tea representatives to the 1st Annual Small Holders Meeting
Different activities to see before the 1st Annual Small Holders Meeting
Tea plants growing in greenhouse. Where the 1st Confederation of International Tea Smallholders Meeting was held
Another view in the greenhouse of tea plants ready to be planted.
The last night in Yibin and this was a less formal of the dinners with dancing
Hangzhou Zhejiang China
City center the Houtu tea factory where more meetings were held.
Sampling and purchasing tea at the Stir Fixation Competition
Another tea factory of Houtu near the farms in the countryside. This is the equipment they use to make matcha
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