Tea is a Tool for Transformation

From the simple art of brewing, to the unfolding of leaves, and the revelation of pleasure, the art of drinking tea cultivates inner awareness, enhances outer transformation. The more devoted one becomes to the moment, the more engaged one can become in the world. Truly, this is one of tea's greatest gifts to humanity.

Originating from a beautiful evergreen plant, "camellia sinensis", tea is indigenous to China and parts of India. Discovered nearly 5,000 years ago, tea was originally drank for spiritual and medicinal purposes. Tea has long been appreciated for its flavor, pleasure of drinking, beauty of tea accessories, and ritual. During The Golden Age of Tea; the Tang and Song Dynasties of China (618-1290 a.d.), the "Art of Tea" took its place along with painting, calligraphy, poetry, music, martial arts, incense, and geomancy, as a scholarly pastime.

It was discovered long ago in Asia that tea is a miraculous medicine for the maintenance of health. The only beverage in the world which simultaneously stimulates and calms, tea both energizes and renews, providing "relaxed awareness". The health benefits of tea, combined with its pleasurable taste, has created a world-wide following. Today, tea is the most popular beverage on the planet (second only to water), with thousands of varieties produced in more than 50 countries worldwide.

Truly a labor of love, tea is a crop, like wine, with thousands of variaties, each type which depends on 'terroir' - soil, climate, elevation, season, and most importantly, processing.