Thuy’s Tale: My Path to Becoming a Tea Expert

Once upon a time…..

Following your roots feels truly special. It's like taking a path without knowing where it leads, but somehow, you end up somewhere homey. The more you explore, the more you see pieces of yourself in the journey…

That's precisely how my tea journey started. It began almost by chance, and I had no idea how deep my connection to the world of tea really was. The more I explored, the more I felt a strong bond with this amazing beverage.

I am Thuy Tran, co-founder of Tea J Tea. Here, unfolds my tea journey.

I'm thrilled to take you along on these trails, one that has led me back to my own heritage and roots. Through every cup of tea and every tradition, I've discovered much about who I am and where I come from.

Personal Philosophy

Growing up, I was always fascinated by different cultures. The way people lived their lives, customs and traditions, beliefs and values, everything intrigued me. However, one culture that stood out to me the most was Japanese culture. From their language to their demeanor to their aesthetic sense, everything seemed so unique and captivating.

Of course, like many others in my generation, I was also drawn into the world of Japanese animation. But another aspect of their culture captured my heart: the art of tea. 

The deeper I connected with Japanese culture, the more I understood the Japanese way of life. During this time, I discovered the philosophy of "Ichigo Ichie," which emphasizes making the most of every moment or experience in life. Each moment is considered unique and irreplaceable because it will never occur in exactly the same way again. This concept struck a chord with me and significantly influenced my perspective. Suddenly, everyday moments became precious. I found myself living in the present and truly savoring the small things around me.

This mindset deeply influenced my tea journey. I began to explore more, even with my limited time, and made a conscious effort to stay in the moment and appreciate every sip of tea.

Through this journey, I've also forged beautiful connections with people from all walks of life. Whether I'm sharing a pot of tea with an old friend or meeting new ones at a tea-tasting event, each experience has been unique and special. I believe that every encounter happens for a reason, and each small step contributes to who I am today.

Looking back, I can see how each little step in my life has shaped who I am. Meeting John, our journey together, our shared love for tea, and the associated cultures—each moment has its own significance.

I also believe that our personalities are closely tied to our tea preferences. For instance, I explore white teas, while John prefers black teas, pu-erh, and oolongs. In a way, our tea choices reflect our personalities and are critical to how we pursue tea, forging our own journeys. 

Now, it's time to unveil the chapters of my Tea journey.

The World Tea Expo 2022..

As a first-generation Vietnamese American, my connection to Vietnam has always been strong, nurtured by the stories and traditions passed down from my parents. One of the many things from my culture that I’ve always enjoyed is the pandan flavor (Dứa) and particularly the smoothly non-astringent pandan green tea (Trà Xanh Sâm Dứa) from my homeland of Vietnam. The aroma and flavors were magical to my younger self, who was a tea novice. I didn’t understand the spell that I was under until I met, married, and lived with my husband through the COVID pandemic. You can read more about how our journey came to be in the About Us section of our website. 

Through my husband, John, and our love of tea, or in his case, ‘caffeine’, we had a dream of making this tea passion a reality. Thus, we embarked on our first major trip to the World Tea Expo in 2022 which became a pivotal moment in our journey. Walking through the expo, we encountered countless tea vendors and met many fellow tea enthusiasts. It was a whole new universe, teeming with flavors and stories.

Yet,  amidst this vast sea of tea, something felt missing. We noticed a glaring absence: the vibrant representation of Vietnamese tea. It was a surprising gap in such a comprehensive gathering of tea cultures. We thought, "Why not fill this gap ourselves?"

That moment was the catalyst for us to step into the world of tea with a mission to bring the essence of Vietnamese tea to a broader audience. We were inspired to share the flavors, rich heritage, and stories that each cup of tea holds.

Deep Diving into the Vietnamese Tea Culture

From 2022 to 2023, it was all about learning. To truly understand the origins of these teas, I needed to fly back to my native country. Our trip to Vietnam (and Taiwan) in 2022 was a significant part of this journey.

The exposure John and I received from the World Tea Expo motivated us to plan this visit with purpose. We aimed to explore deeper into the cultural and historical contexts of the teas that had captivated us. We walked through the lush tea plantations, cozy tea rooms, and spoke with local tea masters. It  was truly an enlightening experience that broadened our appreciation and understanding of tea.

During this trip, I had the opportunity to explore the traditional tea processing methods and witness the meticulous care that goes into each stage of the process. From the delicate picking of tea leaves to the intricate art of brewing, every step was a testament to the heritage and craftsmanship that define Vietnamese teas. 

Back to my journey, this Vietnam trip wasn't just about discovering new teas but about reconnecting with my roots and bringing those authentic experiences back with me. Inspired by what John and I experienced, we aspire to create a tea tour so you can share in this incredible journey of Vietnamese teas. Before that, we wanted to gain as much experience and learn much more about Vietnamese teas so we decided to take part in a guided tea tour by AnShimTea. If you are interested in tea tours, AnShim has an April 2025  Vietnamese Tea Tour and I highly recommend it. 

TeaJTea Vietnamese tea tours will be planned for the Summer or Autumn time of 2025 so stay tuned for more information and sign up for our newsletter to get an update on when the itinerary is available. It will be an exciting experience to see firsthand the rich history, vibrant culture, and exquisite flavors we discovered.

Through this special travel blog series, we aim to reconnect with our origins and share the unique and enchanting world of Vietnamese tea with you. Join us as we explore, discover, and savor every moment and every cup, bringing a piece of Vietnam to tea lovers everywhere.

Final Thoughts  

This article is a testament to my passion for tea and my commitment to genuinely mastering this art the best way I can. From the serendipitous beginnings of my tea journey to the purposeful exploration of tea culture in Vietnam and beyond, I have discovered not only the intricacies of tea but also a deeper connection to my heritage.

Through this series, I aim to share my ongoing tea journeys and experiments, offering insights and stories that highlight the beauty and complexity of tea. Each article will serve as a tea travel guide and a chronicle of our hands-on experiences and learning points.

I invite you to join me as we explore, learn, and savor the world of tea together. Whether you are a seasoned tea enthusiast or a curious traveler, there is something here for everyone. Let's embark on this journey of discovery, one cup of tea at a time.