“Training in the fields and at the farm”
Taiwan is a land of contrasts, where lively markets, ancient temples, and vibrant cities coexist with spectacular nature. From peaks rising over 4,000 meters to coral reefs inhabited by sea turtles, the island offers an exceptional diversity of landscapes.
Renowned worldwide, Taiwan’s tea culture is especially distinguished by the refinement of its exceptional Oolong teas. Between semi-wild tea trees, organic farming, limited annual harvests, and entirely hand-crafted leaf processing, each production gives rise to truly outstanding grand crus.
Chen YuXiong is an award-winning tea master, recognized at the national competition for his “Oriental Beauty” tea. A highly sought-after instructor, he shares a rare expertise shaped by many years of experience.
He will be accompanied by Gin, our tea specialist, who has been running a tea house for more than 10 years. Multilingual and deeply passionate, she will act as the bridge between the tea master and the participants throughout the experience.
Coming from a family of tea masters in Nantou for four generations, YuXiong initially pursued studies in electrical engineering before quickly returning to his true passion: tea. Curious and demanding, he constantly seeks new techniques, explores endemic cultivars, and continuously experiments in pursuit of the aromatic balance he strives for. Behind his renowned expertise lies a humble, discreet, and remarkably approachable personality.
A leading figure in the prestigious region of Beipu, YuXiong has received numerous awards over the past five years for the excellence of his work, the quality of his productions, and the refinement of his aromatic profiles. From white tea to red tea, he masters the full range of tea-making techniques and will share with you a rare expertise shaped by both experience and tradition.
Gin is Taiwanese and runs a family tea house in Taipei together with her mother. After several years of study in Montreal, she developed a strong understanding of Western cultures, combined with full fluency in five languages.
A specialist in tea preparation and fragrance analysis, Gin will be a valuable guide and translator throughout the experience. As a merchant of premium grand crus, she will also share her perspective on the world of high-end tea : its standards, craftsmanship, expertise, and market realities.
This first day is designed to help participants settle in, get to know one another, and gradually immerse themselves in the world of tea before the training begins. Gin will welcome you to her tea house to introduce the program for the days ahead, the importance of each step in the process, and the techniques that will be explored throughout the experience.
Arrival, transfer to hotel
Briefing with Gin
Dinner, a first group culinary discovery of Taiwan.
Free morning to recover from the flight and begin the rest of the program in the best possible conditions. In the afternoon, a guided visit will introduce some of the city’s iconic locations, with several stops at tea houses to observe the different approaches, presentations, and methods used by local tea merchants.
Morning at leisure
Historic district: Guided exploration
Dinner at leisure in Taipei
This first day will be dedicated to leaf harvesting and withering. You will discover the specific characteristics of the terroirs, the Camellia sinensis plant, the importance of humidity levels, as well as harvesting periods and methods according to the seasons. Combining theory and practice, this immersion will provide a comprehensive and demanding introduction to the first stages of tea production.
Harvesting and discussion on soil, weather, and tea trees.
Beginning of the withering process.
Q&A session and overnight stay in a private house in Beipu.
Poursuite du travail de flétrissage avant une initiation aux différentes méthodes d’oxydation. Vous apprendrez à comprendre, ralentir et contrôler ce phénomène essentiel, ainsi qu’à fixer l’oxydation selon les profils recherchés et les effets souhaités sur les arômes du thé. Une approche pratique, les mains dans les feuilles.
Withering & Oxydation
Oxydation
Tea never rests… it’s up to you to decide whether you want to!
After a long night of oxidation, the rolling process can begin. You will discover the different techniques and the importance of precise, delicate movements in order to preserve the integrity of the leaves. Gin will also introduce the fundamentals of tea preparation, with a focus on two essential elements: mastering water and time.
Completion of the oxidation process and leaf rolling.
Leaf rolling and Gongfu tea preparation with Gin.
Group dinner and debriefing session.
Finalization of the different tea batches produced. Advice on maturation and storage, as well as discussions around packaging and presentation, will allow participants to explore the final essential steps before a tea is ready for distribution. All batches produced will be shared among the participants (4 to 5 kg in total). Return to Taipei at the end of the day.
Finalization of the batches & packaging.
Barbecue & tea sharing
Taipei at leisure
After several intense days and a demanding pace, we will take you into the heart of volcanic landscapes for a relaxing break in the hot springs. Between a national park and secluded accommodation surrounded by nature, this moment will be an opportunity to recover and recharge. Dinner at the hotel, which also features a swimming pool and traditional relaxation areas.
Mount Datun: Craters and Sulfur Vents
National park: Farm lunch followed by relaxation.
Dinner at the accommodation : room with private hot springs.
Last day of the experience. The morning will be dedicated to a final moment of exchange around tea with YuXiong and Gin: questions, discussions, and final advice before departure. Airport transfers will be arranged according to each participant’s flight schedule. Beyond the technical training, we hope this journey will also have created new friendships.
Breakfast and briefing with YuXiong & Gin.
Transfer to the airport
We hope you’d learn a lot and enjoyed !
This is an advanced training program focused on the art of tea making, primarily designed for professionals and dedicated enthusiasts. It is not a purely touristic trip: while comfort is present, it remains simple, and the entire experience revolves around tea-related techniques and production processes. Everyone is welcome, but the program involves several dense and sometimes physically demanding days, making it closer to a professional immersion than a leisure-oriented retreat.
The training, accommodation, full support throughout the experience, transportation, and the meals mentioned are all included. A very detailed quotation will be provided if you would like to learn more.
International flights (unless requested otherwise) and personal expenses are not included.
Simply fill out the registration form and our team will contact you with all the details and information, answer your questions, and secure your spot if everything suits you.
We understand that life can happen unexpectedly. Our workshops have flexible cancellation policies, which will be communicated to you before any commitment is made. We will always do our best, even at the last minute.
In order to ensure high-quality training and avoid the difficulties that larger groups can create, we have decided to limit participation to a maximum of 8 people. In order to offer a reasonable price, a minimum of 4 participants is required.
Willing to try ?Fill out the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Willing to try ?Fill out the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.