Today marks the final forum in this year’s Organic Island Tea series — “Seed.”
After 365 days of waiting, the golden blossoms of the flame tree bloom quietly across our table,
as if responding to this moment in time.

At the heart of the tea table sit two young tea masters from a studio called “Erfang.”
Though young, both are fourth-generation tea farmers.
In their hands, the teapot is more than a vessel — it holds generations of memory,
the scent of tea, and the soul of the land.

Today, Erfang brings us two roasted organic oolong teas,
inviting us to begin from a single seed —
to feel the aroma of tea, the warmth of fire,
and the quiet strength of the earth itself.

The Land and Fashion: Two Worlds, One Breath

At first glance, land and fashion seem far apart —
one rooted and still, the other flowing and ever-changing.
But true fashion isn’t about chasing trends;
it’s about being deeply aware of the present moment.

And the land — it is the most honest “now.”
Through the tea, it speaks to us:
This year, the rain has been plentiful. The soil is rich. The buds are starting to open.
Each cup of tea becomes a way to sense the rhythm of the land.
All we need to do — is slow down and listen.

A Moment to Pause and Feel

Now, let’s have our staff hand out the eye masks.
We’re going to rest our eyes for a while.

As soon as the masks go on, the world grows quiet.
Without sight,
we begin to rely on sound, scent, touch, and taste —
to gather new information from the world outside.
And with our hearts open,
we start to listen to the stories these two teas are telling.

Because we’re in an open space,
take a deep breath.
Let your mind settle…

Smell the tea — do you notice the aroma of ripe fruit,
dried pineapple, or longan honey?
That’s the mark of a medium-fermented, roasted oolong.
When the tea touches your tongue,
feel the balance between smoothness and gentle astringency — a signature of organic tea.

The leaves may feel firm —
that’s the natural result of high-temperature roasting.
Yet when steeped, they still unfurl beautifully,
proof of their vibrant life within.

Next, you’ll find five tall glasses before you —
each filled with a different scent:
dried pineapple, honey, pine wood, green citrus peel, and sweet cashew.
These are the aromatic notes often found in oolong tea.
With your senses sharpened,
see if you can recognize these subtle flavors as you sip.

Tea Food: Inspired by the Seed

The tea dessert also echoes today’s theme — “Seed.”
Ya-Fei from Yi Wan Shí Pu shared:
“When I hear the word seed, the first thing I think of is its vitality —
the power to sprout and grow.”

So, for this tea pairing, she drew inspiration from the Five Grains in the 24 solar terms,
using organic buckwheat, black beans, millet, rice, and black rice.
When heated, they pop open — pa! —
like seeds breaking through the soil, ready to sprout.

Spring breezes brush the fields,
summer sun shines bright,
autumn harvests fill the barns,
and winter hides quiet life beneath the surface.
From one small seed, an entire season unfolds.
And in one cup of tea,
we awaken our gentlest connection to the land.

Beyond the Tea

Today’s gathering isn’t just about tea.
It’s about the land — and our relationship with nature.
Through the tea, we hear wind;
through its fragrance, we sense the rain;
through each bite of dessert, we taste the energy of the earth.

Perhaps fashion doesn’t live only on the runway,
but in every moment we pause —
to truly feel.

Close your eyes.
Let the tea speak.
And you’ll realize —
the seed has been sprouting all along. 🌱