Global Tea Hut is named after the magical hut the sage Vimalakirti dwelt in, which could expand so that innumerable beings could sit together in fellowship and devotion, dedicated to higher truth and virtue. This miracle is a metaphor for a heart of boundless compassion that can create space within it for all beings. We view tea as a vehicle toward such openness and light, welcoming everyone to sit down and enjoy a warm cup or bowl of tea as we together reorient toward truth, goodness and beauty. We seek to embody these virtues with a spirit of hospitality and selfless service in all that we do, striving to be an upright influence in the world.
We work to provide the tools that people need to begin or deepen their tea journey. We create publications, online courses, tea, teaware and spaces around the world for learning and sharing tea with others, focusing on the connection between tea and self-cultivation. Whether one approaches tea as a passion, a time for sharing and connecting with friends or as a meditative ceremony to find peace in life, we seek to be of service on your tea journey, fostering connection to self, to others and to Nature. We are also committed to sustainability. We believe that when produced in balance with Nature, tea reaches its potential to be medicine that can restore harmony. We therefore seek to collaborate with those who are taking steps toward a world of ecological balance, especially the hard-working tea farmers who represent the foundation of Cha Dao. May our work help liberate all beings.
We have collected a small cabinet of brewing tools and a library of thought around our approach to tea. The brewing methods include a relaxed, formless type of leaves in a bowl tea, ceremonial forms of leaves in a bowl and sidehandle tea that are the merging of Taiwanese bowl tea traditions and Zen ceremonial science, as well as traditional Southeast Asian (南洋, Nanyang) gongfu tea. Though some elements of these practices represent our own contributions to tea, it is the training with our teachers in Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia that allowed for the evolution of these tools and thus we give all honor and gratitude to them, while passing on these tools to future Chajin with the same spirit of a best bow and selfless release of all credit. We seek to share a way of learning that includes honor for those who came before, not a qualification of achievement, nor a credential of authority or expertise. We focus on continuous growth rooted in the wisdom practices of the past.
Global Tea Hut is a for profit of tea and teaware sales that supports a nonprofit arm devoted to our publications, courses and our outreach (website coming soon). We offer scholarships in all our events and spaces, ensuring that no one will be turned away from tea due to financial obstacles.
Shen Su
My name is Shen Su. I came across this tea community back in 2012 and have been involved ever since. These last seven years working here at the Hut have certainly been the adventure of a lifetime! I'm endlessly grateful that the opportunity presented itself. I manage the office here, running all the shipping of Global Tea Hut and your tea/teaware orders. If you email about a tea order, you will be chatting with me. Should you find yourself eastward-bound in the future, it would be an honor to share tea with you at Light Meets Life. In the meantime, I'll raise a bowl to our friendship.
Joyce
My name is Joyce. I help with translations for Global Tea Hut magazine, liaison with local companies and help to look for a property for our new Center, Light Meets Life. In my spare time, I teach piano and spend time drinking tea outdoors.
Tinghua
My name is Tinghua. I'm a language buff, a music lover and a home cook. I joined Global Tea Hut in 2020 and help with orders, subscriptions and making sure we have enough inventory for your orders. The best part of working here is that I can dig into the tea world and learn from it. My favorite tea is Ruby Red. Its beautiful fragrance and sweet flavor always blow me away. I also like to add it to my baking. I'm very into music, especially R&B and folk and love to relax with a great tune.
Shinni
My name is Shinni. I have been working with Global Tea Hut for over six years now. I help in a lot of ways to ensure things flow smoothly. I mainly help by working with local companies to source supplies for shipping Global Tea Hut each month along with sending out your tea and teaware orders.
Zhi Xuan
I’m Zhi Xuan. I joined this Global Tea Hut in late 2021. I help with all of the accounting here. Of course, many think of this as the most boring job, but it is also one of the most important. I keep all your donations in order, and organize all the finances down to the penny so that we can build Light Meets Life. In my spare time, I enjoy drinking tea and spending time with my family. Tea helps bind us together. I look forward to meeting you in Taiwan one day and sharing tea together!
Lin
My name is Lin. I joined Global Tea Hut in 2017. The shared love for tea has fostered an atmosphere that is cosy and warm, and I am truly grateful to be a part of it. I am responsible for picking and packing orders. I hope that the packages we deliver can bring joy to your tea experience and enrich your lives!
Ivy
My name is Ivy. I've been a part of Global Tea Hut team for five years and I've learned so much about tea here! My main role is bagging tea, packing the orders and crafting handmade items like the handle wraps for kettles. To bring joy to our customer's shopping experience, I'm always working on packing everything carefully and creating beautiful packages. When I'm not at work, I enjoy reading or exploring homeware stores. These little passions of mine often spark brilliant packaging ideas.
Sascha
My name is Sascha. I joined Global Tea Hut as a photographer in mid-2023. I grew up in a family that drank tea every day, and now I am trying to learn more about it and dive deeper into the world of tea. When I am not taking pictures, I am practicing and learning more about tea. In some ways, tea and photography are similar. Both require attention to detail, patience and a calm mind to achieve the most beautiful results. I hope that one day we can “make friends through tea,” and I can take a picture of you enjoying a bowl of tea.
Connor
My name is Connor. I am from the mountains of Australia and have been here at the Global Tea Hut for a number of years now, helping in various capacities and roles during that time. Currently, I manage the day-to-day at Global Tea Hut headquarters. Outside of that service, I love to spend time hiking and, of course, exploring every facet of tea. It is a deep joy and honor to support all of you around the world. I look forward to sharing tea with you here in Taiwan or somewhere else near you. If you ever require support in your practice, please reach out to me!
Wu De
My name is Wu De and I love tea. I love everything about it, from the history to the science, the art to the spirit. Our work is to share tea that inspires a love for Nature, to promote tea farmers that are working sustainably in harmony with their environments and to explore the vast and rich world of tea lore through writing, translating, filming courses and building spaces for in person learning. I am also inspired by tea’s ability to be a useful part of self-cultivation and to change lives and open hearts. When our hearts are open, we find a common, loving space where listening is primary and our disputes with one another dissolve. Through tea, we make friends—lasting friendships with our selves, with others and with Nature. At Global Tea Hut, I work on the magazine as an editor and do my best to keep learning and sharing what I learn through courses, online and in person. I hope we can drink some tea together one day soon.