July 7, 2025

To kick off the new year, we were invited to host a tea tasting and cultural experience at Deloitte’s Seattle office — a team-building event designed for a department whose members mostly work remotely. On this rare in-person day, colleagues gathered around the tea table to reconnect, talk about work and life, and enjoy a moment of calm, warmth, and curiosity. We began with an introduction to the fundamentals of Chinese tea, followed by a hands-on exploration of over ten different tea samples from various regions and categories. With the guidance of our tea instructor, everyone learned how to properly use a gaiwan — the traditional lidded tea bowl — to brew and appreciate Chinese tea. To wrap up the experience, the team had a chance to try their hand at Song Dynasty-style whisked tea (点茶) — a meditative and artistic ritual that brought both laughter and fascination. It was a joyful, multi-sensory session where new skills were learned, stories were shared, and most importantly, people felt closer — one cup at a time.

This unforgettable gathering was both a birthday party for the bride and a pre-wedding rehearsal. For the tea setup, I chose a festive red theme for the teaware and table setting — a nod to joy, celebration, and new beginnings. The bride’s family lovingly prepared homemade Chinese pastries, and her friends traveled from near and far to celebrate her birthday and upcoming wedding. In this intimate tea space, family bonds, lifelong friendships, and heartfelt lovetook on a tangible form, expressed through every shared sip and smile. At this most meaningful moment in her life, the bride chose to express her gratitude to her parents with a cup of tea — a gesture both humble and deeply moving. Tea is the beginning of ritual. Through tea, we offer love, respect, and connection — and sometimes, no words are needed. The experience included:A guided tasting of all six major categories of Chinese tea. Hands-on gongfu brewing practice. A fun and spontaneous wedding dance rehearsal. Personalized tea ceremony coaching and design for the wedding day. Every moment was full — of laughter, learning, movement, and meaning. A tea gathering as rich in emotion as it was in flavor, and a celebration everyone will remember.