Summer with Cha: Journey to Our New Taiwanese Specialty Teas

One dream of ours has been to source tea directly from Taiwan to share with our Cha Community. While we weren't able to begin this dream earlier on in our small business - as we were a smaller pop-up at the time and navigating through the challenges of the pandemic - we had opportunities to visit Taiwanese tea farms with our family during trips to Taiwan and kept these tea farms in mind as we continued growing our small business.

What Is Direct-Trade Tea and Why It Matters

What is direct trade and why does direct-trade tea or coffee matter? Direct-trade practices take a departure from traditional supply chains by establishing direct relationships between farmers and buyers. Direct-trade models not only ensure fair compensation of tea and coffee - by taking away middle persons and corporations from brokering tea deals - but also ensure that farmers have the empowerment to lead in farming practices that benefit their team and communities and to walk out in alignment with their values.

Supporting direct-trade tea farms is important because tea gardens and farms are small businesses and farmers need to have environmental and financial sustainability. Some larger corporations in the tea and coffee industry have been known to exploit tea workers, have had reports of poor working conditions, and have been found to sell tea bags filled with microplastics. Additionally, Arabica coffee, which has been favored in the coffee industry in America, is facing the threat of global shortage with ongoing climate change, as it is not as adaptable to changing weather patterns.

Direct-trade practices are significant as they empower farmers to adopt sustainable practices to combat climate change and preserve traditional and Indigenous farming methods. Asian-owned businesses like Nguyen Coffee Supply and coffee farmers throughout Vietnam are in the forefront of fighting climate change in the coffee industry by championing the often underlooked Robusta bean (which happens to be our favorite at Cha Community!). 

Supporting direct-trade tea and coffee is not only an environmental and sustainability concern but also an issue of equity and diversity. These practices honor and support cultural heritages by fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the origins and histories of tea and coffee.

These practices honor and support cultural heritages by fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the origins and histories of tea and coffee.

Taiwan is well-known for oolong teas because of the region's climate, coupled with its breathtaking mountainous landscape; the region provides for the perfect conditions for cultivating quality teas. As we stepped onto the tea farm in East Taiwan, the air was infused with a sweet and fragrant aroma. We gazed in awe as rows upon rows of freshly picked vibrant green tea leaves basked in the sun, naturally sun-drying by the mountains. We were honored to observe the drying racks at the tea farm and to appreciate the artistry behind each cup of tea.

Whether it's black, green, white, or oolong tea, they all share a common origin in this extraordinary plant. During our journey to Taiwan, we explored a region of Taiwan renowned for its exceptional red oolong teas. This specific part of Taiwan, with its unique terrain and microclimate by the mountainside, has gained worldwide recognition for producing some of the most sought-after teas in the realm of oolong. Red oolong teas embody a depth and complexity in their rich, bold flavor that are reminiscent of black teas. Their intricate flavor profiles pair beautifully with milk and Taiwanese boba tea cafes oftentimes create Red Oolong Boba Milk Teas and desserts like ice cream or baked goods using the tea leaves.