As global interest in Chinese tea culture continues to grow, tea is becoming more than a beverage—it is a shared language that connects people, traditions, and civilizations.
On July 18, the International Tea Sommelier Competition and the 3rd Chinese Tea Craftsmen Exchange (Chongqing) brought together tea scholars, master tea makers, educators, and cultural practitioners from across China and overseas to celebrate craftsmanship, promote dialogue, and explore new pathways for the international development of Chinese tea culture.
As one of the event's co-organizers, the International Academy of Chinese Tea (IACT) played a leading role throughout the two-day program, highlighting its commitment to global tea education, cross-cultural collaboration, and the international sharing of Chinese tea traditions.
For thousands of years, tea has connected communities, inspired cultural exchange, and fostered mutual understanding.
Today, as Chinese tea gains increasing recognition around the world, the conversation is evolving beyond tea products toward education, cultural heritage, and meaningful international engagement.
Introducing Chinese tea to global audiences requires more than exporting tea leaves. It calls for educational programs, professional training, cultural interpretation, and opportunities for people from different backgrounds to learn from one another.
This vision has guided the International Academy of Chinese Tea since its founding.
With the mission of "Tasting Timeless Leaves, Decoding Eastern Wisdom," IACT is building an international platform that combines tea education, intercultural communication, professional certification, and global partnerships to help more people discover the richness of Chinese tea culture.
During the conference, IACT presented its growing portfolio of international initiatives, including professional tea education, bilingual training programs, international tea sommelier certification, training of tea trainers, overseas workshops, study tours, and cross-cultural learning experiences.
Rather than simply teaching tea knowledge, the Academy focuses on developing professionals who can confidently communicate Chinese tea culture across languages and cultures. From the map of students who participated in the online video courses, we can tell that Chinese tea's crucial leading role, which boosts our confidence and honor to share Chinese tea
Its educational approach integrates traditional tea knowledge with modern international communication, creating learning experiences that are accessible to tea enthusiasts, educators, hospitality professionals, and cultural ambassadors worldwide. As global demand for authentic Chinese tea education continues to rise, IACT is working to build a bridge between China's tea heritage and the international community.
One of the highlights of the event was the launch of Zhong Mei's latest publication, Tea for Harmony.
Designed for both Chinese and international audiences, the publication reflects the Academy's ongoing commitment to producing educational resources that make Chinese tea culture more accessible to the world.
More bilingual publications and learning materials are planned in the coming years as part of IACT's global education strategy.
Tea is borderless; through a cup of tea, we can connect with the whole world. Hence, the tea infusion is crucial. During the conference, IACT co-organized the tea sommelier brewing contest and witnessed the excellent brewing craft. The International Academy of Chinese Tea believes that the future of Chinese tea lies not only in producing exceptional tea, but also in cultivating people who can share its stories with authenticity, professionalism, and cultural understanding.
By connecting educators, tea makers, researchers, and tea lovers across borders, the Academy continues to expand an international network dedicated to preserving tea heritage while embracing innovation.
As Chinese tea becomes an increasingly important part of global conversations about culture, sustainability, wellness, and craftsmanship, IACT will continue working with partners around the world to make high-quality tea education more accessible and meaningful.
Because every cup of tea offers an opportunity—not only to appreciate flavor, but also to understand one another.
Empowering global tea education • Connecting cultures • Inspiring the next generation of tea ambassadors
Looking forward to the International Tea Sommelier Conference & Contest in May 2027.
