A Tea Study & Cultural Encounter
Tea is not merely a beverage. It is culture, heritage, and human connection.
Menghai is the birthplace of ripe Puer tea, and is the core center of the premium ancient tea mountains. Setting up the IACT tea base in Menghai provides more opportunities for applying learning through the tea sommelier course. We have made use of the limited 4 days well to expand our learning experience in Menghai, from a leaf to a cup of tea.
（Click to play the video)
Day 1: Explore Hekai Ancient Tea Plantation， Taste Six-Mountain Tea
After months of meticulous preparation and eager anticipation, our April internship officially kicked off, and all the wonderful moments of the first day have been perfectly captured!
On day 1, we visited Hekai and Six-Ancient-Tea-Mountain Tea company. For me, this place is full of memories. As I worked there, I witnessed the growth of Six-Ancient-Tea-Mountain Tea company along the way. A strong sense of familiarity came over me when I revisited it. Seeing vibrant faces, newly introduced production equipment, and the enterprise still moving forward steadily and thriving after years of market trials, with machines operating efficiently during the production season, full of vitality, I sincerely feel gratified and proud.
It is a great honor for IACT to cooperate with such a high-quality enterprise deeply rooted in the tea industry to jointly promote the international promotion and cultural exchange of Chinese tea, especially Yunnan tea. We sincerely thank the enterprise for its strong support. In the future, we will take this original tea aspiration and profound confidence, join hands with more like-minded partners, and bring richer and more in-depth tea sharing and experiences to every tea lover who loves Chinese tea and Yunnan tea.
Every cup of tea carries the weight of time. Carved by years, just like the ancient tea tree in the Hekai ancient tea garden and the old tea in the museum, it becomes more mellow with time. May our friendship, bonded by tea, grow more profound as well. We look forward to more opportunities to travel to the tea mountains together in the future, spreading the charm of Chinese tea and the beauty of "Tea for Harmony" to the whole world!
Day 2: Building Foundations, Expanding a Global Tea Perspective
（Click to play the video)
After an immersive first day exploring ancient tea forests, a tea museum, and processing practices, the International Tea Sommelier Tea Mountain Program moved into a more structured phase of learning. Day 2 focused on core theoretical knowledge, marking the transition toward more advanced study.
A key point of discussion was the distinction between “oxidation” and “fermentation,” a topic often misunderstood in tea studies. Participants were encouraged to examine how these terms have been used historically and to approach tea knowledge with greater precision. During the discussion, one participant suggested that the concept of fermentation in tea may reflect a historical interpretation rooted in China. In response, Mabol emphasized an essential principle: while a deep understanding of Chinese tea traditions is fundamental, international tea practitioners must also adopt a broader perspective. This includes engaging with global tea systems and applying scientific, objective, and internationally recognized terminology.
As tea knowledge continues to evolve alongside scientific development, it is important to refine earlier interpretations and communicate tea culture with clarity and accuracy. For international tea professionals, this requires both cultural depth and an open, global mindset.
Ultimately, the study of tea is not only about knowledge, but also about perspective. By integrating tradition with modern understanding, participants are encouraged to appreciate the diversity of tea cultures and apply their learning across contexts—from daily life and professional practice to wellness and cross-cultural exchange.
Day 3 Tasting Puer tea, deepen the practical skills
（Click to play the video)
Building on our solid foundation from the first two days, on Day 3, we focused deeply on Puer tea, reinterpreting the history of Chinese tea with a modern mindset and forward‑looking vision. We put tea knowledge into real‑life practice: from understanding one’s constitution and scientific tea drinking, to food‑and‑tea pairing, themed tea ceremony planning, and advanced brewing techniques — the session was rich with professional insights.
During class, we conducted a special comparison between local Menghai tap water and bottled water for brewing. To our pleasant surprise, tea brewed with local tap water delivered a smoother, finer, richer, and fuller liquor, with more layered aromas. The exceptional natural water source is precisely what makes Menghai the core production area for ripe Pu'er tea.
A lively and enjoyable discussion also took place: participants split into two groups to debate whether Pu'er tea belongs to dark tea. With different knowledge backgrounds and perspectives, diverse viewpoints naturally emerged. This exchange deepened our understanding of approaching tea classification with an open, inclusive, and objective attitude — pursuing knowledge rationally and keeping pace with the times.
True to the spirit of Chinese tea: harmony in diversity, beauty in shared excellence. No matter where we come from or what our background is, all tea lovers connect and find passion in a single cup of tea.
Day 3 came to a successful close. With great anticipation, we continue our journey deeper into the tea mountains.
Day 4: Strengthen power from the leading Puer tea company
（Click to play the video)
Leaving indoor theoretical classes behind, we visited TAE TEA Museum, a benchmark enterprise of Pu'er tea in Menghai. We experienced the profound heritage of an industry leader on-site.
We learned about the founding history and institutional transformation of Menghai Tea Factory, as well as the development journey of the TAE TEA brand. Standing before thousands of classic tea collections, we truly witnessed the vision and strength of a top-tier tea enterprise.
A brand achieves lasting glory only by committing to century-long development from the very start, steadily investing in culture, production, research & development, and public welfare.
During this study journey, we learned from outstanding Chinese leading enterprises and communicated in depth with local small-scale tea farmer cooperatives.
We explore sustainable development paths for Chinese tea and discuss global promotion strategies for Chinese tea culture. As certified International Tea Sommeliers, we uphold the harmony of tea and the world, spreading the fragrance of Chinese tea globally.
The 4-day tea sommelier course in person provided a profound understanding of being a tea sommelier, but time is too tight to fully understand the skills required by an international tea sommelier. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you take the monthly online live course and immerse yourself in person whenever you are available.
